Associate Principal Scientist (Associate Director)

The Rare Cancer Unit is a dedicated group within AstraZeneca Oncology R&D focused on discovering and advancing transformative therapies for patients with rare and underserved cancers—including neuro-oncology, and other rare malignancies of high unmet needs, where standard-of-care options are limited or nonexistent. The Unit works across modalities including small molecules, biologics, bioconjugates, targeted protein degraders (PROTACs), gene therapy (AAV/lentivirus), RNA/mRNA therapeutics, and cancer vaccines, and partners closely with translational medicine, clinical development, and external academic collaborators to accelerate first-in-class programs into the clinic. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and contribute to discovery programs aimed at identifying novel therapeutic strategies for rare CNS cancers, including  glioblastoma and pediatric brain tumors, encompassing target validation, mechanism-of-action (MOA) studies, and translational research. 

• Design and execute complex in vitro and in vivo experiments, including 2D/3D glioma models, patient-derived and cell line–derived xenografts, syngeneic mouse models, orthotopic intracranial implantation, and in vivo bioluminescence imaging. 

• Engineer tumor models via lentiviral transduction, AAV delivery, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, and si/shRNA knockdown to overexpress or ablate targets of interest. 

• Advance targeted protein degradation strategies (PROTACs) for oncoprotein degradation in brain and other rare tumors, building on established programs in BRD4 and related targets. 

• Evaluate novel immunotherapy approaches, targeting TAA and beyond and immune cell engagers, in relevant preclinical models. 

• Assess the impact of standard of the care (chemo/radiation, TTF, and combination therapies) on target expression, tumor behavior, and tumor microenvironment dynamics specific to neurooncology. 

• Analyze and interpret experimental data to evaluate therapeutic hypotheses, assess efficacy, potency, and safety signals, and inform go/no-go program decisions. 

• Serve as scientific liaison across functions, including Neuroscience, Immuno-Oncology, Translational Medicine, and Clinical Development, to advance integrated therapeutic strategies for rare CNS cancers. 

• Present scientific findings to internal leadership, governance committees, and external partners; contribute to publications, patents, and regulatory documents. 

• Provide scientific mentorship to junior scientists, associates, and postdoctoral fellows, and ensure technical rigor across the team. 

• Contribute to portfolio strategy by shaping experimental roadmaps, identifying novel targets, and evaluating external opportunities including academic collaborations and in-licensing. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• PhD in Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline. 

• 5+ years of postdoctoral and/or industry experience in oncology drug discovery or translational research, with demonstrated productivity in neuro-oncology. 

• Demonstrated expertise in glioblastoma and pediatric brain tumor (DIPG) biology, advanced cellular models, and orthotopic intracranial in vivo models. 

• Hands-on experience with AAV and lentivirus production, CRISPR/Cas9 engineering, and viral vector–based therapeutics. 

• Experience with targeted protein degradation (PROTACs) and small-molecule mechanism-of-action characterization. 

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals in oncology, neuro-oncology, and molecular biology. 

• Proven ability to work in cross-functional, matrixed environments.
   

Preferred Qualifications 

• Dual training or experience spanning cancer biology, neuro-oncology, and immuno-oncology. 

• Experience with immune cell engagers, immune checkpoint modulation (, and combination immunotherapy strategies. 

• Experience with high-throughput drug screening (96/384-well formats) and DNA damage response biology. 

• Familiarity with rare disease drug development, regulatory pathways, and orphan drug designation. 

• Experience co-directing or managing core facilities and leading laboratory operations. 

• Track record of peer review and scientific service in oncology and molecular biology journals. 

• Experience mentoring scientists and leading small project teams. 

• Multi-lingual communication skills to support global collaborations. 

Key Competencies 

• Scientific leadership and independent judgment 

• Cross-disciplinary communication across oncology, neuroscience, and immunology 

• Data-driven decision-making 

• Collaboration and stakeholder management 

• Innovation and strategic thinking 

• Operational excellence in laboratory and vector core management