Immunotoxicology Associate Director

Immunotoxicology Associate Director

Do you have expertise in, and passion for Immunotoxicology and want to make a difference for patients all around the world? Would you like join a company of curious minds, driven by our desire to understand and reveal new insights. Then we might have a position for you!

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change we seize it and make it happen, because an opportunity no matter how small can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential.



Safety Innovation (SI) is a global department sited within the Safety Sciences arm of Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences (CPSS) function, where application of innovative science drives the design, selection and development of safer medicines. The SI department works collaboratively with other departments both within and external to CPSS on novel drug programmes from early discovery through to clinical development. We work with a wide range of drug modalities targeting a number of disease indications. An exciting opportunity now exists to join our Immunotoxicology Team to help drive the development of novel and innovative immune-competent models for understanding the adverse immune events of treating immune diseases with the view to improve patients' lives.



What you'll do

The Immunotoxicology team uses novel in vitro/ex vivo models to develop custom solutions to address potential immune safety questions across a wide portfolio. In this key role, you will apply your existing immunological expertise to develop innovative strategies and in vitro models, including complex microphysiological systems, in order to understand and mitigate unwanted immune-mediated adverse reactions to therapeutics designed to alleviate immune-mediated disease. This will include investigation of immunological inter- and intra-cellular pathways to afford mechanistic understanding across multiple organs, working closely with safety scientists in other areas of expertise including lung and liver to fully understand the safety profile.



You should be able to seek-out and deploy diverse areas of immune knowledge into coherent strategies and tailored investigations in order to address the key immune safety issues relevant for treating immunological disease targets. This will involve initiating collaborations across AstraZeneca alongside external academic teams to access the leading scientific knowledge in the field. You should be highly motivated, innovative, diligent, creative, well organised and able to work independently and collaboratively when designing and performing experiments and will be expected to lead and prioritise multiple projects and tasks in line with the objectives of the Immune disease therapy project teams. You will be expected to continuously develop your immunotoxicology expertise and scientific network, regularly presenting our science through peer-reviewed publications to enhance our scientific reputation.



Qualities aligned to this role include those listed below, however, applications from candidates who do not fully meet all criteria will be welcomed.



Essential for the role

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Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification in an appropriate subject area (immunology, cell biology, molecular biology) and a PhD in an immunology field (or substantial equivalent industrial experience in the field of immunology).
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Knowledge and practical experience in the field of immunology/immunotoxicology and an understanding of the potential adverse outcomes of immune modulation.
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Extensive flow cytometry and primary cell culture experience.
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In depth theoretical understanding and practical experience of in vitro and ex vivo cell-based assays systems utilising immortalised cell lines and primary tissues.
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Experience in leading hypothesis-led strategic investigation.
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Extensive experience in collation, interpretation and communication of complex data.



Desirable for the role

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Knowledge and practical experience of multiplex biomarker analysis, quantitative PCR, reporter cell lines and other molecular biology capabilities would be an advantage.
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An in depth knowledge of complex culture systems, including Microphysiological Systems.
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An understanding of the application of immune biomarkers onto in vivo models, personal in vivo experience not essential.
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Experience of working within a toxicology laboratory environment with knowledge and experience of the drug development process.



So, what's next!

If you're curious to know more then please reach out to Catherine Betts, Senior Director Immunotoxicology, catherine.betts@astrazeneca.com. We welcome with your application, no later than 12th Mars, 2023.



Where can I find out more?

Our Gothenburg site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-company/our-locations/gothenburg.html

Life in Gothenburg: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

AstraZeneca R&D: https://www.astrazeneca.com/r-d.html