Associate Director, Research Strategy and Operations, Hematology R&D

AstraZeneca; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking an Associate Director for Research Strategy and Operations in Hematology R&D in Cambridge, MA. The role links strategy, data, and delivery across Translational Medicine, data science, and project teams to accelerate biomarker studies and asset progression.

Ideal candidates have a Master’s with 6+ years or a PhD with 2+ years in pharma/biotech, excellent communication, and proven ability to navigate matrixed environments and manage complex datasets.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in teams, solving problems and integrating data.
• Experience in matrixed pharmaceutical environments and strong organizational skills.
• Familiarity with genomic/molecular data and data presentation systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as scientific integrator across Translational Medicine Leads, data scientists and project teams.
• Apply multi-omic and phenotypic marker knowledge to biomarker strategies.
• Drive external partner evaluation and risk mitigation.
• Lead internal/external meetings to define deliverables and timelines.
• Maintain dashboards and coordinate data across translational research portfolios.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Independent work

Problem solving

Data integration

Data presentation

Education

Master’s degree + 6+ years

PhD + 2+ years

Tools

Genomic data analysis

Job description

Associate Director, Research Strategy and Operations, Hematology R&D

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

AstraZeneca has a multifaceted environment that cultivates collaboration and innovation. We attract top minds, and we nurture and build talent.

Within Hematology R&D, we are committed to advancing the science to deliver life‑changing medicines to patients most in need. With a combination‑focused pipeline that exploits the power of multiple scientific platforms (Immuno‑Oncology, Tumor Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody‑drug Conjugates, Cell Therapy and Epigenetics) to help address unmet clinical needs in a host of hematological cancers, we are motivated by a dedication to the scientific discovery and collaboration that will one day help eliminate cancer as a cause of death. This unit has responsibility for the value chain from discovery through to late‑stage development, enabling rapid acceleration of promising early‑stage assets and life‑cycle management programs.

The Translational Medicine (TM) function exists within Hematology R&D to ensure effective and strategic biomarker studies for Hematology & Oncology project teams. Closely interacting with the pre‑clinical BioScience and Discovery, Early Clinical Development, and Precision Diagnostics Development functions, the Hematology Translational Medicine team is the single point of accountability for delivery of robust, scientifically‑driven biomarkers to all Hematology project teams, providing feasibility assessments, technical validation, centralized biomarker analysis capability for clinical samples, delivery of translational science research and early clinical phase engagement.

This is a highly collaborative scientific leadership role for an individual who can connect strategy, data, and execution across Translational Medicine Leads, data scientists, translational research scientists, project teams, and internal and external partners. The successful candidate will translate complex scientific questions into coordinated workplans, ensure that diverse perspectives and datasets are integrated into clear recommendations, and help teams move from insight to decision and delivery.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Serves as a scientific integrator across Translational Medicine Leads, data scientists, translational research scientists, project teams, and internal and external stakeholders, connecting scientific objectives, data‑generation plans, analytical approaches, and operational execution.
• Applies deep scientific knowledge of multi‑omic and phenotypic markers to support translational efforts and biomarker strategies such as tissue profiling, liquid biopsy, and MRD on an indication basis.
• Drives evaluation of external partners, conducting scientific and technical due diligence to inform partnership decisions, including MRD strategy.
• Leads internal and external meetings to drive translational deliverables, identify needs and risks, and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Present and maintains relevant dashboards and associated data, leads coordination of science, and reports progress and projections across data science and the translational research portfolio.
• Coordinates compliance for samples and associated data moving into and out of internal and external laboratories, partnering with compliance, legal, quality, data science, and biosafety.
• Successfully navigates objectives within matrixed teams of non‑direct reports and influences without direct authority.
• Other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 6+ years relevant experience or Ph.D. with 2+ years relevant experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Outstanding ability to work independently and with a team, including problem solving, brainstorming, integrating data and helping other team members.
• Experience in highly matrixed structures in the pharmaceutical industry, diagnostics industry, or similar industries.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Excellent data presentation skills.
• Familiarity with genomic and molecular data and the systems used to manage and present it.
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific data, methods, and validation evidence from external partners.
• Experience in highly matrixed structures in the pharmaceutical industry, diagnostics industry, or similar industries.

Candidates preferred with one or more of the following

• Experience supporting translational research especially in hematologic malignancies, biomarker strategy, genomics, or data science.
• Knowledge of precision biomarkers such as MRD, ctDNA, and tissue profiling.
• Experience working with external research partners such as diagnostic vendors, CROs, or academic collaborators.

Working at AstraZeneca

Here you’ll have the chance to create a substantial difference to patients’ lives! With science at its heart, this is the place where breakthroughs born in the lab become transformative medicines – for the world’s most complex diseases. Answer unmet medical needs by pioneering the next wave of science, focusing on outcomes and crafting the patient ecosystem.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $142,377.60 - $213,566.40 USD. Hourly and salaried non‑exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short‑term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity‑based long‑term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at‑will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted07-Oct-2026

Closing Date18-Oct-2026

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.