Associate Director, Bioanalysis (Cell Therapy)

AstraZeneca GmbH; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentives and bonuses

Equity-based awards

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Job summary

AstraZeneca GmbH in Santa Monica seeks a strategic leader to set and drive the clinical bioanalytical endpoints for cell therapy programs, enabling go/no-go decisions and faster regulatory submissions. You will shape platforms, collaborate with clinicians and translational scientists, and guide data-driven decisions across programs.

You will manage assay development, tech transfer, and vendor relationships, translating complex datasets into clear recommendations for stakeholders and ensuring

Qualifications

• PhD with 7+ years in industry in cell therapy bioanalysis.
• Experience leading clinical biospecimen analyses for trials.
• Regulated bioanalysis across PK/CK/PD and immunogenicity.

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end bioanalytical strategies for clinical endpoints.
• Lead assay development, qualification/validation, and tech transfer.
• Coordinate with CROs and internal teams to deliver high-quality data.
• Interpret complex data and communicate results to cross-functional partners.

Skills

Data interpretation

Systems biology

Cross-functional collaboration

Biomarker analysis

Public presentation

Education

PhD in immunology/cellular biology/related

Tools

Cytobank

OMIQ

FCS Express

Tableau

Spotfire

JMP

Job description

Are you ready to lead bioanalysis that directly shapes how innovative cell therapies reach patients faster? In this role, you will set the strategy and drive the execution of clinical bioanalytical endpoints that inform go/no-go decisions, de-risk development, and accelerate regulatory submissions!

You will join a high-energy team advancing next-generation cell therapies, partnering closely with clinicians, translational scientists, and external labs to deliver robust, decision-grade data.

Do you thrive on translating intricate biology into clear evidence that changes the course of development? This is your opportunity to build platforms, partnerships, and practices that set a new bar for cell therapy bioanalysis.

Accountabilities

Bioanalytical Strategy Leadership:

Develop and implement end-to-end bioanalytical strategies supporting clinical assay endpoints across PK/CK/PD, immunogenicity (humoral, cellular, viral), and biomarkers for cell and gene products (CAR/TCR/in vivo). Deliver strategies that withstand regulatory scrutiny and enable confident clinical decision-making.

External Partnerships and Vendor Excellence:

Identify, evaluate, and establish relationships with specialty laboratories and CROs. Orchestrate external capabilities to generate high-quality bioanalytical data at pace, ensuring scientific rigor and operational reliability.

Assay Development and Tech Transfer Oversight:

Lead assay development, qualification/validation, and tech transfer for cell therapy bioassays, deploying the right work to CROs or internal teams. Build scalable, reproducible methods that shorten timelines and increase assay robustness.

Data Integration and Program Decision-Making:

Interpret and integrate complex datasets within programs and across the portfolio. Provide streamlined written and verbal updates to collaborators, transforming data into clear recommendations that guide clinical and regulatory strategy. Can you see yourself unifying diverse data streams into a single, compelling story?

Scientific Communication and Influence:

Compose publication strategies and prepare data for internal and external scientific forums. Amplify the impact of program findings through high-quality presentations and publications that position AstraZeneca at the forefront of cell therapy science.

Essential Skills/Experience

• PhD degree in immunology, cellular and/or tumor biology or a related field with 7+ years of relevant industry experience with strong background in cell therapy
• Demonstrated experience leading/directing analysis of clinical biospecimens to support clinical trials.
• Proven experience in regulated bioanalysis across a range of modalities PK/CK, PD and immunogenicity assessments
• Able to evaluate and interpret complex data sets using analysis and visualization software (i.e. Cytobank/OMIQ/FCS Express, Tableau/Spotfire/JMP), experience with AI tools is a plus.
• Work cross-functionally and collaboratively with project team members.
• Deep understanding of cell therapy biology and up to date with latest analytical methods applicable to characterization of cell therapy products and mechanism of action.
• Understanding of global regulatory expectations and analytical requirements to support regulatory filings.
• Experience managing assay development teams, leading all aspects of tech transfers, scientific quality and study conduct internally and at CROs.
• Ability to interpret complex datasets and outstanding ability to communicate results verbally, in writing and in presentations adapting to different audiences as required.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and task concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Track record of leading bioanalytical strategies for cell therapy programs from early development through clinical phases
• Experience implementing complex flow cytometry, single-cell, or molecular assays for mechanism-of-action and biomarker readouts
• Familiarity with automation, digital data pipelines, and data governance for regulated bioanalysis
• Prior authorship of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at major scientific conferences
• Experience negotiating and managing master service agreements and quality agreements with CROs and specialty labs
• Demonstrated capability to mentor and grow high-performing scientific teams

• The annual base pay for this position ranges from $142,377.60 - $213,566.40.
• Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles.
• Qualified retirement programs.
• Paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves).
• Health coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we ignite ambitious thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need 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.

Why AstraZeneca Here you will turn a productive, diverse pipeline into real treatments that improve patients’ lives, working in a setting that blends innovative science with practical, patient-first decision-making. We pair deep biology with modern technology, bring scientists, clinicians and data experts together to spark new ideas, and back bold moves with the resources of a leading company and the agility of a scale-up mindset. You will join a collaborative community that values kindness alongside ambition, where your leadership can both push the science forward and shape how teams across the ecosystem deliver for patients and society.

Date Posted

31-Aug-2026

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.