Head of External In Vivo Toxicology

Career Opportunity: Head of External In Vivo Toxicology at AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is embarking on a transformative journey, redefining what a biopharmaceutical company can be. This exciting initiative fosters an environment of innovation, where unconventional approaches and diverse teams collaborate to push the boundaries of medical science. If you are a seasoned toxicologist seeking a leadership role that offers significant impact and continuous professional growth, this Head of External In Vivo Toxicology position in Cambridge, UK, presents a compelling opportunity.

This pivotal role is designed for an experienced toxicologist who will spearhead AstraZeneca's in vivo toxicology group within the Regulatory Toxicology & Safety Pharmacology department. You will be instrumental in overseeing a substantial team of in vivo toxicologists, managing the critical regulatory toxicology studies conducted at Contract Research Organizations (CROs). Your expertise will directly contribute to the clinical development of AstraZeneca's diverse portfolio of assets, ensuring all studies meet the company's exceptionally high scientific and regulatory standards.

Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Leadership & Strategic Impact: Take the helm of a significant team and play a crucial role in shaping AstraZeneca's externalization strategy for toxicology studies, influencing the evolution of working practices.
• Scientific Excellence & Innovation: Contribute to pioneering cutting-edge methods and drive scientific and regulatory excellence in the safety assessment of novel pharmaceutical assets.
• Career Development & Learning: Engage with a wide range of ongoing learning and career development opportunities within an energised and forward-thinking team.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work within a complex, matrixed Big Pharma environment, fostering relationships with internal stakeholders, CROs, and regulatory agencies.
• Global Reach & Diverse Modalities: Gain experience overseeing studies across multiple global territories and with a variety of therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and emerging technologies.
• Comprehensive Benefits: AstraZeneca offers a competitive salary and an attractive benefits package, including flexible employee benefits, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, and a performance recognition scheme.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Extensive Experience Required: A minimum of 10 years of experience in in-vivo toxicology for pharmaceutical safety assessment is essential, with a proven track record encompassing both Pharma/BioPharma and CRO environments.
• Leadership in a Matrixed Environment: The role demands proven experience in line management of large, multidisciplinary, and matrixed teams, requiring strong people development and team leadership skills.
• Navigating Complex Landscapes: You will need to adeptly manage relationships and operations within a complex Big Pharma organization and the broader CRO landscape.
• Deep Technical Expertise: A strong awareness of GLP standards, hands-on experience with various in vivo toxicology study types (e.g., MTD/DRF, FTIH, chronic general toxicology, carcinogenicity, safety pharmacology, DART), and familiarity with a broad range of laboratory species are critical.
• Ethical Review & Communication: Demonstrated experience with ethical review processes for in vivo toxicology across different territories and exceptional communication and influencing skills are paramount for engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Hybrid Working Model: The role operates on a hybrid model, requiring a minimum of three days per week on-site in Cambridge, UK, balancing in-person collaboration with individual flexibility.

For experienced toxicologists looking to make a substantial impact and drive innovation within a dynamic biopharmaceutical leader, this Head of External In Vivo Toxicology position offers a unique and rewarding career trajectory.