Target Science Lead

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have an outstanding workplace culture that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration through scientific research. Employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.



Target Science in Early RIA Translational Science & Experimental Medicine

Target Science within Early RIA Translational Science and Experimental Medicine is an fast-paced research environment, with a culture that is science-based and patient-focused. Our mission is to identify unique targets and mechanisms addressing the key biological drivers of chronic respiratory diseases enabling a precision medicine approach to treating patients. The aim is to enable early intervention to achieve durable remission and disease modification.

To deliver on this bold ambition, the Target Science team in RIA is continuously hunting for new respiratory targets, with a focus on novel sources such as genomics and functional phenotypic screening. We want to be able to target all cell types, mechanisms and pathways relevant to respiratory diseases by growing the druggable target space. We are leading the efforts focused on increasing the use of new modalities, including oligonucleotides, peptides, proteins and transcript therapy, in addition to conventional small molecules and antibody-based modalities



The role

As Target Science Lead (TSL), you will have a vital role in leading and enabling the discovery and development of new innovative respiratory disease drug targets to successful target selection investment decisions (TSID). This needs to be grounded in a proven and robust understanding of respiratory disease biology and disease relevant pathways and drivers at the molecular level.



The TSL is both a project and laboratory-based role, and the TSL works collaboratively with scientists from across RIA IMED and supporting functions to generate new target ideas and develop them into data packages leading to positive TSID decisions. The TSID package includes the integration of complex data sets including in vitro human cell/tissue, expression analysis, cell-based data, bioinformatics, genomics and in vivo data obtained through working with colleagues from other functions.



Qualifications & Skills

* Excellent understanding of respiratory disease biology, including cell types, molecular pathways and mechanisms.
* Knowledge of the biological basis for patient segmentation and precision medicine.
* Broad understanding of relevant target validation technologies and methodologies along with excellent scientific laboratory skills and ability to experimentally address key scientific questions.
* Ability to form hypotheses, test them experimentally, draw conclusions and suggest next steps based on the data.
* Ability to work productively in a matrix team environment and excellent collaborative skills.
* Excellent written, oral, presentation and interpersonal skills
* Good networking and communication (written and oral) skills and a strong delivery focus.
* Strong publication record.



Education and experience

* PhD or equivalent with a strong experimental drive and background in basic science related to respiratory research.
* Post-doc experience or otherwise relevant scientific research experience.
* Experience in pharmaceutical R&D is an advantage.



If you are interested, apply now!

For more information about the position please contact Henric Olsson,



Welcome with your application no later than February 23, 2020.

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