Clinical Scientist - Early Oncology Clinical Development

Job content

Clinical Scientist, Early Oncology Clinical Development

Location: Cambridge, UK, or Gaithersburg, Waltham, or NY, US

Salary: Competitive

Do you have expertise in, and a passion for clinical development? Are you looking to work at the cutting-edge, where scientific innovations and an entrepreneurial spirit are the norm? Join the team at the heart of AstraZeneca that is committed and encouraged to follow the science in Oncology R&D, and you could be involved in drug development across our five scientific platformsvery soon!

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

We have a bold ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form. We are following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing treatments and increase the potential to save the lives of people around the world.

Our Oncology strategy is built with one goal in mind - to push the boundaries of science to change the practice of medicine and transform the lives of patients living with cancer. Our broad pipeline of next-generation medicines, together with our focus on excellence in execution, are aimed at expanding treatment options and improving outcomes for patients with solid tumours and haematological cancers.

We focus on four strategic priorities:

• Pioneering research across six scientific platforms: Tumour drivers and resistance; Immuno-oncology; DNA damage response, Antibody drug conjugates, Epigenetics and Cell therapies
• Advancing innovative clinical strategies to treat early stages of disease and relapsed or refractory patients
• Building expertise and leadership in the most prevalent and highest mortality rate tumour types
• Delivering across our global footprint
  
  

Oncology Research & Development

Join the team dedicated to Oncology, with an ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. It’s our big vision that unites and inspires us.

With multiple indications and high-quality molecules at all stages of our innovative pipeline, we keep pushing forward. Fusing ground breaking science with the latest technology to achieve breakthroughs. Backed by investment, we thrive to deliver 6 new molecular entities by 2025.

A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration - we make ambitious decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take smart risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline and Oncology team.

One area of significant investment is to build internal infrastructure to be a leader in next generation of products in Oncology. Using historical expertise in biologics engineering, gene editing and immune expertise across solid and haematological malignancies, AstraZeneca is uniquely positioned to develop the best technologies and is already growing a differentiated pipeline.

Site Description

Welcome to Cambridge, one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca, providing a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves is at the core of AstraZeneca’s priorities, it’s important to us that you bring your full self to work every day. To help you maintain your best self, here’s a sneak peek into some of the things this site provides for you…

Where Science thrives…Cambridge is one of the most exciting bioscience hotspots in the world, playing a central role in our mission to deliver life changing medicines to patients across the globe.

Central Cambridge - Located in walking distance from the Train station, you will have access to an onsite gym, restaurant facilities and experience working within a calm and relaxing agile environment, inspired by the University Botanical gardens.

The site provides access to a stylish, fully air conditioned fitness centre, an onsite restaurant, Lunch & Learn development activities, all within a forward-thinking and spacious environment while utilising the most advanced technology.

The Oncology Research and Early Development (Early Oncology) unit has the accountability for all activities in small and large molecule oncology research up to the initiation of Phase 3 clinical studies. The unit seeks to deliver compelling preclinical, clinical and translational data packages providing confidence in the dosing strategy, tolerability profile and therapeutic efficacy of our candidate drugs to support investment in late stage clinical development.

As Clinical Scientist, you are an important part of the Project Team, working harmoniously with program and study level clinical lead/study physician as the specialist in medical scientific aspects of the compound and its development. The accountabilities are broad however, the core accountabilities are the medical & scientific support for the development and implementation of early phase AstraZeneca sponsored clinical program strategy, externally sponsored collaborative research program strategy and studies, including clinical science support for initiating clinical trial(s), supporting clinical data review, interpretation of the study results and supporting final recommendations to senior management.

You may also provide expert input to process improvement initiatives, development of junior members of the team and provide strategic contributions to the global clinical scientist team. We expect you to demonstrate strong collaborative communication skills and influence a diverse range of scientific partners both within and external to AstraZeneca.

We can hire Clinical Scientists at Senior Manager, Associate Director, or Director level, in our R&D sites at Cambridge, UK, or Waltham, NYC or Gaithersburg, US. Are you interested in working across a range of platforms such as IO, Antibody Drug Conjugates, Cell Therapy, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, Epigenetics and DNA Damage Response? This is your chance to work on one of the most promising Oncology pipelines in the industry!

Typical accountabilities (scope of the activity dependent on level of experience)

Program Level:

• Act as clinical lead or support the clinical lead in clinical science aspects of the program
• Assists the clinical lead for clinical input to the clinical development plan (CDP) at all stages of the program
• Leads/co-leads/supports (with Translational and Bioscience Leads) the science-to-man sub team to integrate the biology, translational and clinical science into the program strategy
• Leads (or supports) development of recommendations on further development strategies to internal committees
• Leads (or supports, as required) the preparation of clinical and other data for governance and other presentations
• Leads (or support, as required) the preparation of program level documents such as the investigators brochure and DUSR.
• Provides scientific/medical mentorship (or coordinates) to the study team, including the CRO team
• Leads/supports the collaboration with the research scientists and translational scientists to provide clinical input to the development and review of data to support development of the pre-CDID compounds
• Follows important developments and trends in the medical & scientific literature and disseminates updates to the project team and beyond ensuring all involved parties are aware of key developments and the impact on the strategy
• Leads or supports the development and review of content and quality of publications and inputs to development of the publication strategy
• Where required leads project specific reviews of the competitor landscape to inform the program strategy

Study Level (when assigned as clinical science resource for study):

• You will lead or support the study clinical lead
• Leads, approves or provides input for the protocols, amendments, and other relevant strategic documents. Acts as lead clinical reviewer for Clinical Study Reports
• Leads (or supports as required) clinical data review and interpretation of the study and program level with input from the study or program Physician/Clinical lead
• Attends (in person or by TC) the Site Initiation Visits, to present the study design and protocol
• Leads the compilation & interpretation of the data for and from the dose escalation committee/safety review committee, in collaboration with the program physician
  
  

External:

• Develops and builds investigator and site relationships to support site selection and study start up activities
• Leads the development and implementation of the externally sponsored collaborative research (ESCR) strategy for a programme. The clinical scientist is the link between the project team and all external clinical research for the programme. For preclinical external research proposals, co-leads with the Bioscience Lead.
• Leads investigator/site relationships for clinical proposal reviews, protocol review and approval, scientific oversight and discussions for academic basket/umbrella studies and ESCR studies
• Represents the project internally and supports oncology drug development externally as a medical scientific specialist with key external specialists. Supports development of alliances as appropriate.
• Represents AstraZeneca as a support for external meetings such as advisory boards and Investigator meetings
• Identifies and manages risks within the ESCR portfolio, raises quality issues through the appropriate channels, maintains communications with key AstraZeneca partners as required.
  
  

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Relevant Clinical or Biomedical Ph.D. or relevant Pharmacy, Nursing, MSc/MRes degree
• Clinical drug development or medical research experience demonstrated within a pharmaceutical/biotech or academic environment
• Proven team leadership experience in a clinical setting
• Advanced understanding of clinical practice across tumour types and how clinical practice is evolving with the introduction of new therapies. Understanding of cancel cell biology.
• Experience leading delivery and influencing at senior leadership levels both internally and externally
• Experience in working and leading in matrix teams
• Strong collaborative communications skills including the ability to engage with a diverse internal and external client base and manage through conflict
• Proven ability in problem solving and issues management that is solution focused
• Experience in collaborating externally in terms of clear requirements for collaborative contracts, influencing delivery and scientific engagement.
• Ability to support and mentor junior team members
  
  

Desirable

• A good understanding of the pharmaceutical and clinical drug development process
  
  

Call to Action:

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Do you want to be part of building an innovative pipeline and deliver potentially high impact treatments to patients? If this describes you, don’t hesitate in submitting an application today! I am looking forward to speaking with you soon.

Alternatively, If you would like to arrange a confidential discussion to explore this opportunity further, please contact: Sam Hunter

on sam.hunter1@astrazeneca.com

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.

Closing date: 15th August 2021

To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience - it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.

Find out more:

Connect with the recruiter - Sam Hunteron LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhunter1/

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

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Desired Skills and Experience

Relevant Clinical or Biomedical Ph.D. or relevant Pharmacy, Nursing, MSc/MRes degree
Clinical drug development or medical research experience demonstrated within a pharmaceutical/biotech or academic environment
Proven team leadership experience in a clinical setting
Advanced understanding of clinical practice across tumour types and how clinical practice is evolving with the introduction of new therapies. Understanding of cancel cell biology.