Data Science & AI Director-Pharmaceutical Techn. & Development

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Our purpose is to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines!

The Pharmaceutical Technology & Development (PT&D) team at AstraZeneca is at the heart of our mission to create innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals.

We work across the entire value chain, designing and delivering active ingredients, formulations and devices for new medicines and providing expert technical support to all AstraZeneca's commercial drug substances and products to ensure we successfully supply medicines to patients.

We are seeking a forward-thinking Data Science & AI Director to lead our PT&D Data Science and Artificial Intelligence initiatives.

The role

The role holder will be responsible for spearheading the strategy and execution of data science and AI capabilities to enhance drug development processes and drive innovation in PT&D. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in data science, machine learning and AI approaches, alongside a track record of leadership within the pharmaceutical or related industries.

Key Responsibilities

* Develop and implement a comprehensive data science and AI strategy for PT&D, aligning with the broader organizational goals.
* Lead a team of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI specialists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
* Drive the adoption of advanced analytics, machine learning and LLM techniques to optimize pharmaceutical development processes & solve scientific challenges.
* Partner with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for leveraging data science and AI to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.
* Oversee the development and deployment of scalable ML and LLM solutions, from ideation and prototyping to production, roll out and continuous improvement.
* Establish best practices, standards, and processes for ML model development, validation, and production deployment, using cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure) and MLOps principles.
* Develop and implement robust performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators to measure the success and impact of ML and LLM initiatives, ensuring alignment with business objectives and productivity targets.
* Collaborate with IT, Data Management, and other partners to ensure robust data governance and data integrity.
* Maintain a deep understanding of emerging trends and technologies in AI and data science, evaluating their potential impact on PT&D operations.
* Handle external affiliations and collaborations with academic institutions, technology providers, and other partners.
* Communicate progress and insights to senior leadership, influencing the strategic direction of PT&D and ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Essential Skills & Experience

* Master's or equivalent experience in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Computational Chemistry/Biology, Engineering, or related field.
* Extensive work experience in data science, with considerable time spent in a leadership role, preferably within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare industry.
* Proven experience in machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, with a deep understanding of algorithms, architectures, and model optimization.
* Exposure to a range of industries and domains, with the ability to quickly understand and apply ML solutions to diverse business problems.
* Proven track record of developing and driving data science strategies that have a significant business impact.
* Strong programming skills in Python, with proficiency in ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) and data engineering tools (e.g., Kafka, Spark).
* Strong understanding of machine learning, predictive modelling, LLM approaches and AI technologies, with hands-on experience in deploying enterprise-level solutions.
* Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and guide the team.
* Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business implications.

Desired Skills & Experience

* PhD or equivalent experience in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Computational Chemistry/Biology, Engineering, or related field.
* Proven track record of publishing predictive modelling results and tools in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other scientific proceedings.
* Experience working in regulated industries, with a strong understanding of data privacy, security, and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, EU AI legislation).

Why Join Us?

We're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. There's no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We're on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

We welcome your application no later than June 7th, 2024.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

Opening date: May 24th, 2024
Closing date: June 7th, 2024