Senior Director, Discovery Platforms
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Biologics Engineering is seeking a highly accomplished and innovative drug developer to join our team as a Senior Director Discovery Platforms. In this critical role you will have the opportunity to lead generation of novel biologics by combining a diverse range of pioneering approaches including in-vivo (hybridoma, B-cell sorting, Beacon), in vitro display (phage, yeast, mammalian), structure-guided rational design, machine learning and other in silico tools, to drive scientific advancement across our Best-in-Class biologics portfolio for all AstraZeneca’s Therapeutic areas. As the Sr. Director Discovery Platforms, you will play a key role in driving the development of new cutting-edge technologies. Your expertise and leadership will be instrumental in advancing biologics discovery and lead optimization processes ensuring scientific excellence and fostering innovation within BE.
The ideal candidate is a motivated, collaborative, and creative leader with deep expertise in antibody discovery, with the proven ability to solve complex problems and manage technology development, all while accelerating the delivery of a diverse pipeline of drug candidates to the clinic. Your passion for scientific innovation coupled with your ability to inspire and lead a high-performing team will be paramount to our success.
What you will do:
As a Senior Director of Discovery Platforms, you will provide leadership, mentorship and technical guidance to a diverse team of scientists responsible for a robust biotherapeutics portfolio.
Establish efficient drug discovery workflows, provide guidance on fit-for-purpose mAb discovery campaigns, screening, and triaging strategies across multiple discovery platforms, setting criteria for molecule progression, ensuring production of a stream of diverse potent and developable drug candidates against most difficult targets and on accelerated schedule.
Work closely with muti-disciplinary teams to drive projects from idea conception through proof-of-concept and deliver development candidates with excellent developability and manufacturability.
Lead efforts developing new technologies and platforms to stay at the cutting edge of the industry; provide strategic direction and implementation of innovative approaches and drive integration of new technologies across global antibody discovery teams.
Seek opportunities to improve the efficiency and success of antibody discovery workflows and collaborate with other functions in BE harnessing the power of automation, ML and AI.
Offer scientific leadership and guidance cross-functionally, provide expert opinion to different therapeutic area partners driving the interplay between understanding the biology of the disease and the molecular platforms.
Oversee continuous modernization of lab infrastructure; streamline lab workflows, data capture and management.
Basic Qualifications:
- PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related subject area with 10+ years of industry experience
- 10+ years' of experience in building and leading large, high-performing Antibody Discovery and Protein Engineering teams; proven ability to establish strategic collaborations, and drive innovative science.
- Recognized scientific leader in the field of antibody discovery and engineering with demonstrated track record of achievements by advancing numerous biologics therapeutics from discovery to the clinic, consistent publications in top tier journals, presentations at key industry conferences.
- Deep expertise in biologics of diverse formats including, multispecifics, fragments, VHH, cytokine fusions and other complex modalities.
- Expertise in modern antibody discovery methods including in vitro display (state-of-the-art technologies), in vivo (hybridoma, B-cell sorting and Beacon), knowledge of diverse transgenic animals), and structure-guided rational design in a therapeutic setting.
- Experience with automation and next gen high-throughput technologies creating seamless and efficient workflows for mAb discovery and characterization.
- Knowledge of deep screening technologies, ML and AI approaches to mAb discovery and optimization is strongly preferred.
- Solid understanding of biologics structure-function relationship, pharmacokinetic, pharmacology, and immunogenicity
- Experience with Genedata Biologics will be a strong asset.
- Exceptional communication skills, innovative approach and ability to create and explore new ideas; engaged and passionate about drug discovery; focus on delivery novel medicines to solve real therapeutic problems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead by example with honesty, integrity, flexibility creativity, and collaborative spirit.
Site Description:
Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of BioPharmaceuticals and Oncology R&D in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most innovative technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.
The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly designed, activity based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any 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. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a biopharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering groundbreaking methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.
Date Posted
19-Jul-2024
Closing Date
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.