At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative translational strategies to advance medicines for respiratory diseases.
- Company: AstraZeneca, a research-driven organisation making real clinical impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on kindness and ambition.
- Why this job: Shape smarter trials and improve patient outcomes with cutting-edge science.
- Qualifications: PhD or MD in relevant field with strong experience in respiratory medicine.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Are you ready to turn human biology into decisive clinical evidence that advances medicines for people living with respiratory disease? Based in Cambridge, you will lead end-to-end translational strategies that move confident science into the clinic, fast. Your work will connect target selection to first-in-human studies and beyond, delivering the mechanistic clarity, patient stratification and biomarker evidence that shape smart decisions and successful development.
In this role, you will partner across discovery and clinical teams to validate human targets, define and implement target engagement and PoM biomarkers, and integrate multi-omics and clinical data into actionable insights. Do you thrive at the interface of experimental biology, precision medicine and clinical execution, where a well-designed biomarker plan can change the trajectory of a programme and the lives of patients?
Accountabilities:- Develop and integrate translational strategies for respiratory projects and clinical studies, spanning human target validation, target engagement and precision medicine to de-risk decisions and accelerate progress.
- Build robust human validation plans at target selection, partnering with bioscience teams and leveraging public and proprietary biobanks to identify responding subpopulations and strengthen biological rationale.
- Design and lead innovative experimental approaches to deepen understanding of disease pathways and target biology, selecting the right technologies to answer pivotal questions.
- Define, invent and enable PoM biomarkers; establish target engagement assays; plan and execute biomarker sampling strategies; and drive assay transfer and execution in clinical trials.
- Deliver precision medicine strategies to identify the patients most likely to benefit, including early planning for molecular assays when clinical features alone are insufficient.
- Integrate clinical, biomarker and multi-omics data; partner with data science teams to apply AI/ML to uncover mechanisms, biomarkers and patient phenotypes that inform study design and readouts.
- Establish and lead external collaborations and patient cohorts to enhance disease understanding and identify clinically meaningful biomarkers.
- Embed translational strategy into Clinical Study Protocols, Informed Consent Forms, Sample Life Cycle Plans, Case Report Forms, local Health Authority applications, Human Genetic Resources and Clinical Study Reports.
- Contribute to regulatory and health authority responses; author submission sections on mechanism of action, PK/PD and precision medicine; prepare and review scientific publications to support development and launch.
- Represent translational strategy in governance and investment forums; drive clear cross-functional communication to enable accurate, timely execution.
- Serve as the key scientific voice on project teams as programmes advance, generating the mechanistic differentiation and scientific evidence that support product development, launch and lifecycle opportunities.
- PhD or MD equivalent with a strong experimental drive and background in Respiratory field.
- Post-doc experience or otherwise relevant scientific research experience.
- Strong previous experience in a Biomedical or Pharmaceutical role.
- Strong publication record.
- Proven ability to deliver translational readouts and human target validation and their application to drug discovery.
- Excellent understanding of the Respiratory therapy area including but not limited to COPD, Asthma, NCFBE and IPF, and disease biology, including related molecular pathways and mechanisms.
- Experience and knowledge of the biological basis for target engagement biomarkers and familiar with PoM biomarker invention and implementation.
- Experience and knowledge of the biological basis for patient stratification and precision medicine, and familiar with patient selection biomarker invention and implementation.
- Broad understanding of relevant technologies and methodologies along with excellent scientific skills and ability to design experiments to address key scientific questions.
- Excellent skills in hypothesis forming and testing and able to draw conclusions and suggest next steps based on the experimental data.
- Shown experience and solid understanding of pharmacology, translational medicine and clinical sciences as well as clinical development with pre-eminence in at least one of these areas.
- Demonstrated leadership skills, ability to be a self-starter.
- Strong team working skills with a proven track record of working collaboratively to ensure scientific excellence and robust delivery to projects.
- Excellent written, oral, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Experience leading projects.
- Experience from clinical trials.
Join a research-driven organisation where bold ideas translate into real clinical impact for patients worldwide. Here, translational science sits at the heart of decision-making, with unexpected teams in the same room turning complex biology, digital technologies and AI-driven insights into decisive, patient-focused plans. You will be trusted to follow the science, supported by collaborators across discovery, clinical and data disciplines, and empowered to test hypotheses quickly, learn from setbacks and push breakthroughs forward. We value kindness alongside ambition, and we unite academic partners, biotechs and industry experts to create the fastest path to meaningful medicines.
If you are ready to lead the science that shapes smarter trials and better outcomes for people with respiratory disease, bring your translational vision to Cambridge and help turn bold biology into life-changing medicines today!
We are looking forward to your application not later than 26th July.
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.
Translational Science Lead in Cambridge employer: AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Cambridge. Employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the pharmaceutical industry through cutting-edge research and AI integration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Translational Science Lead in Cambridge
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like AstraZeneca. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like AstraZeneca!
We think you need these skills to ace Translational Science Lead in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show AstraZeneca that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at AstraZeneca.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that AstraZeneca does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at AstraZeneca. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into AstraZeneca's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at AstraZeneca. This shows your passion for the industry!
