Senior Director, Translational Research Haematology R&D

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that emphasizes the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. We are more than just a leading pharmaceutical company; we cultivate an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation by attracting top talent and nurturing development. 

Within Haematology R&D, we are dedicated to advancing science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients in need. Our combination-focused pipeline harnesses the power of multiple scientific platforms—immuno-oncology, tumor drivers and resistance, DNA damage response, antibody-drug conjugates, cell therapy, and epigenetics—to address unmet needs in hematological cancers. Our commitment to scientific discovery and collaboration drives our mission to eliminate cancer as a cause of death, managing the value chain from discovery to late-stage development. 

Translational Medicine (TM) transforms hematological cancer biology into actionable insights for therapeutic development and clinical decision-making within the Oncology space. Operating within the Haematology R&D division, TM is responsible for delivering innovative, strategic biomarker studies to support Hematology & Oncology project teams to make decisions. The TM team collaborates closely with preclinical bioscience and discovery, early clinical development, and precision medicine & biosamples functions. TM provides robust, scientifically-driven biomarkers for all Haematology projects covering leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.  This includes assay development, technical validation, and biomarker analysis for clinical samples. TM conducts translational research across early and late-phase clinical engagements, integrating advanced biomarker strategies to enhance therapeutic outcomes.  The Translational Research(TR) group is responsible for delivering laboratory assay development across our drug programs and impactful translational insights across our high priority cancer types. 

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

The Sr. Director, Translational Research plays an integral role in the development and execution of critical projects that support the Haematology Translational Medicine Department’s aims in Translational Medicine, clinical trial support, and drug development. The Sr. Director Translational Research will more specifically in this role:

• Lead the development of scientifically rigorous preclinical and clinical translational research assays to assess pharmacodynamic changes, mechanisms of action and resistance, establish early signs of efficacy, and drive patient selection and combination strategies across the Hematology portfolio.
• Design and execute strategies to understand haematological tumor biology that supports the AZ portfolio.  This work includes but is not limited to target expression post-therapy, new MRD technology and platforms, back-translating resistance mechanisms, and informing new combinations across hematology indications.
• Manage a team of lab-based Translational Research Scientists to support Hematology Translational Medicine research efforts.
• Integrate Translational Medicine Research Scientists with broader drug development teams, including translational medicine (TM leads, data scientists, etc.), discovery, and clinical groups.
• Engage with internal and external experts to advance the portfolio and establish partnerships with academic collaborators.
• Present and communicate research findings to internal and external collaborators, including upper management and regulatory agencies, and at scientific conferences.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational and communication skills for cross-functional interactions.
• Perform all duties in compliance with internal SOPs and external regulations. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., PhD, MD, MD/PhD) with a focus on cancer biology, immunology, and/or multi-omics, with experience in haematology-oncology highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in oncology translational research, particularly in drug discovery and development.
• Proven excellence in designing, executing, and interpreting cancer biomarker studies in preclinical models and clinical trials, including biomarker development, validation, and clinical application.
• Experience managing a team of scientists and delivering high-quality science impacting decision-making.
• Familiarity with novel technologies applicable to cancer biomarker and/or immune response analysis (e.g., next-generation omics, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry).
• Experience with multiple modalities such as small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates, Tcell engagers, CAR-Ts, and epigenetics agents.
• Knowledge of clinical protocol design, trial operations, biospecimen logistics, and biomarker assay validation.
• Proven ability to develop collaborative partnerships that drive sustainable business results.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team collaboration, and aptitude in training and supervising direct reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Robust track record of scientific achievement, as evidenced by publication record. 

Working at AstraZeneca

Here you’ll have the chance to create a substantial difference to patients’ lives! With science at its heart, this is the place where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicines – for the world’s most complex diseases. Answer unmet medical needs by pioneering the next wave of science, focusing on outcomes and crafting the patient ecosystem.

Our Waltham, Massachusetts facility develops life changing small-molecule research in North America, with innovative laboratories at the Gatehouse Park Bio Hub, just west of the city center. Our BioHub facility, is a bold new R&D initiative, which fosters life science discoveries and the exchange of ideas. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge 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. With a shuttle bus to and from Alewife station, the location provides you the ability to work in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant research centers.

Our Waltham site offers a variety of amenities help keep our employees happy and engaged. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, 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 and the greater research community.

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026.Find out more information here: Kendall Square Press Release

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 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.

Next Steps? Apply now!

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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

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.