Medical Director, Senior Patient Safety Physician

Job Title: Medical Director, Senior Patient Safety Physician

Location: 3 days onsite in Luton UK

Are you ready to lead patient safety innovation at the forefront of global healthcare?At AstraZeneca, we're not just developing tomorrow's medicines—we're reimagining how patient safety shapes every breakthrough. As a Medical Director and Senior Patient Safety Physician in our vibrant Luton hub, you'll join a collaborative network of world-class professionals who turn complex challenges into life-changing solutions. Here, your expertise doesn't just protect patients; it drives the strategic decisions that bring hope to millions worldwide. We believe that exceptional patient safety requires exceptional minds working together across continents, combining cutting-edge science with unwavering integrity to ensure every innovation serves humanity's greatest need: safe, effective treatments that transform lives!

As a Medical Director, Senior Patient Safety Physician in Luton, UK you’ll play a pivotal role in channelling our scientific capabilities to make a positive impact in changing patients’ lives. Oncology R&D global development drives our innovative pipeline, redefining science into valued new medicines and ensuring patients around the world can access them.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

In this role, you'll be responsible for the Clinical Safety strategy for assigned drug projects and products throughout all stages of development and/or when on the market, including implementation and communication of the strategy at the project team/governance level. Essentially, the continued safety assessment, evaluation and risk management of AZ products or product groups in various stages of clinical development and/or the post-marketing setting as well as the continuous efficient evaluation of adverse event and all other safety information will be within the remit and scope of this role.

You will provide consistent communication of safety topics across all regulatory safety documents, e.g. Periodic Benefit Risk Evaluation Reports (PBRERs), Periodic Adverse Drug Experience Reports (PADERs) and Development Safety Update Reports (DSURs), for assigned product(s)/program(s).

You will proactively evaluate the clinical implications of safety data from pre-clinical studies, clinical studies, literature to predict / establish the safety profile of compounds in clinical development. This process includes employing expert groups and methodologies such as Safety Knowledge Groups (SKG’s), Safety Science, Informatics expertise, modelling and simulation to manage the risk to patients. Additionally, you'll be involved in all safety surveillance activities, that may include: medical review of individual safety cases (providing medical expertise and judgment), signal detection, evaluation and SERM activities for all products in area of responsibility.

This role will also require your medical input and review of periodic reports (e.g. PBRERs, PSURs, or DSURs) and renewal documentation submitted to regulatory agencies and the patient safety contribution to global regulatory submissions (NDA, BLA, MAA etc.) for new products, formulations or indications.

Essential Education, Experience and Skill Requirements

• Medical degree (e.g. MD, MBBS).

• 2+ years of clinical experience post-registration, industry experience is preferred

• High level of medical competence, with an ability to balance this with industry standards to achieve business goals.

• 2+ years of Drug Development/Patient Safety experience (the majority of which should be in industry in Patient Safety) with clear evidence of delivery.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

• MSc/PhD in scientific field

• Ability to work across TAs and Functions

• Experience leading and inspiring Patient Safety colleagues

• A demonstrated ability to understand epidemiological data

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. 

At AstraZeneca, patient impact drives every decision: a broad and rapidly evolving Oncology pipeline offers constant exposure to novel mechanisms, complex data and innovative trial designs; cross-functional collaboration with global experts fuels learning; a culture that values courage, curiosity and smart risk-taking empowers decisive action based on science; and continuous development opportunities support long-term growth while contributing directly to transforming cancer care worldwide.

So, what’s next:

If this role matches your expertise and ambition, apply now to help shape the future of patient safety in Oncology.

***Please note: we operate a rolling recruitment process and may close this vacancy early if a strong candidate is identified. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package

Date Posted

17-Apr-2026

Closing Date

29-May-2026

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 embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.