Director - Mechanistic & Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences

Do you possess leading expertise within pharmacology and have a passion for drug discovery? Are you a dedicated and experienced cell biologist/in vitro pharmacologist with insight in biological mechanisms and an eye for details? If yes, this might be your next challenge!

We are currently recruiting for a Director in the Mechanistic & Structural Biology department in Gothenburg, Sweden. In this role you will pursue world-class medicines, combining our people's exceptional skills with those of people from all over the global AstraZeneca R&D organisation. At AstraZeneca, we're not afraid to do things differently. We're building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a biopharmaceutical company can be. This means we're opening up new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together.

Discovery Sciences is a multi-faceted department which drives early drug discovery across AstraZeneca's global Research & Development portfolio. As a critical component of Discovery Sciences, Mechanistic & Structural Biology is responsible for compound profiling and mechanism-of-action studies alongside Early DMPK and Safety in support of the Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Respiratory & Inflammation, and Neuroscience portfolios. If you're inspired by the possibilities of science to make a difference and ready to discover what you can do - join us.

What you will do:
Reporting directly to the local Mechanistic Biology and Profiling (MBP) head you will set the vision and execute on priorities together with the local leadership team. You do so by leading a team of scientists in generating SAR profiling (DMTA) and detailed mechanism of action data to predict and understand treatment effects in a broad range of different biochemical and cellular assay formats. Within the remit of this group is the application of targeted protein mass spectrometry for the purpose of understanding and quantifying treatment impact for OLIGOs and PROTACs on endogenous proteins.

As the Director, you will lead and drive a high-performing team to provide early, impactful mechanistic insight to projects across the global disease areas, through a combination of in vitro enzymology, pharmacology, and quantitative cell biology. You will be a recognized and passionate leader, able to represent the department across a broad range of therapeutic projects and global initiatives within Discovery Sciences and the disease areas, and also externally. You will drive scientific and technical innovation, including through external collaboration and partnership. You will also be a member of the extended global Mechanistic & Structural Biology Leadership Team, participating in setting and maintaining the strategic direction, scientific quality and efficiency of the department.

Essential in the role:

* PhD/MSc degree in a relevant life sciences discipline with at least 10 years' experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, or equivalent.
* Line management experience with teams of highly qualified personnel working in a matrixed project environment.
* A comprehensive understanding and proven application of quantitative in vitro pharmacology.
* Extensive cell biology experience in pre-clinical drug discovery or related fields, including expertise in the generation and application of primary and iPSC-derived cell models.
* A broad understanding of cellular assay formats and their application for in vitro pharmacology.
* Proven track record of career progression, and external scientific reputation gained through professional recognition, external presentation and high quality publications.
* Extensive experience of establishing and leading external collaborations and technology change projects to advance organisational capability.
* Track record of delivering results across a diverse project portfolio by driving strategic, scientific, financial and people performance.

You are a passionate and energetic leader with a future orientated and strategic in thinking style. You also have ability to articulate a vision for disease- agnostic Discovery missions, set direction and inspire commitment for preclinical Discovery. Manage internal expertise, capacity and resources to drive governance and decision-making regarding scientific portfolio support and technology development is of importance to be successful in the role.

Desirable in the role:

* Experience with the use of and imaging of 3D cell models and multicellular models.
* Robust decision making informed by business and financial acumen and an understanding of competitor strategy.
* Generates exceptional results by influencing, driving performance and collaborating across project and country boundaries.

So, what's next? If this sounds like your next challenge and place to work? Apply today!

We look forward to your application, but no later than 3rd October, 2022. For more information about the position please contact: Thomas Lundbäck, Senior Director - Mechanistic & Structural Biology, at +46 72 7116689.

Additional information:
Our Gothenburg site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-science/gothenburg.html
Life in Gothenburg: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
Make a move to Global Gothenburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Iqbb4aw38
About BioPharmaceuticals R&D: https://www.astrazeneca.com/r-d.html