Associate Director, Translational Data Science - Translational Medicine and Bioinformatics

AstraZeneca plc; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Translational Data Scientist in Kendall Square, Boston, focused on single-cell and spatial omics within Immunology and Cell Therapy. You will drive multimodal data integration, develop AI-driven analyses, and translate complex datasets into actionable biological insights across discovery to clinical development.

The role demands a PhD with 6+ years in computational biology, strong immunology background, and expert coding in Python/R.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in computational biology or related quantitative discipline with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Substantial Immunology and/or Cell Therapy research experience in pharma/biotech or academia.
• Deep expertise in single-cell omics and translation of results to insights.
• Strong experience in spatial omics and spatial transcriptomics.
• Experience with multimodal data integration across molecular and clinical datasets.
• Excellent coding skills in Python or R and proficiency with Git and Linux environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership across cross-functional teams for multimodal datasets.
• Lead integration and interpretation of single-cell and spatial omics data to derive disease insights.
• Define AI-driven analytical approaches to identify biomarkers and therapeutic hypotheses.
• Develop precision medicine propositions to support translational decisions.
• Evaluate and apply AI/ML methodologies with emphasis on biological validity and translational relevance.
• Communicate analyses and recommendations to senior stakeholders and partners.

Skills

Translational data science

Single-cell omics

Spatial omics

Immunology

AI/ML in biology

Python/R coding

Communication

Education

PhD in computational biology or related

PhD or equivalent experience in data science

Tools

Python

R

Git

Linux

Job description

Are you a forward-thinking and curious Translational Data Scientist with deep expertise in single-cell and spatial omics and a passion for applying AI to biological discovery? Do you want to help shape the future of Immunology and Cell Therapy by generating insights that accelerate the discovery and development of transformative medicines? Welcome to AstraZeneca.

We are looking for an experienced Translational Data Scientist to join our Data Science and Bioinformatics team.

You will be part of the Translational Medicine and Bioinformatics department in the Immunology therapeutic area. In this role, you will work in a highly collaborative and science-driven environment focused on advancing our understanding of immune-mediated disease biology, identifying novel therapeutic opportunities, and enabling precision approaches across our Immunology portfolio from discovery through clinical development.

As a department we promote an open and collaborative atmosphere, with a culture that is both science-based and patient-focused. Our mission is to understand disease mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level, identify the most effective targets, biomarkers, and patient subgroups, and support translation of scientific discoveries into medicines that improve patients’ lives.

This role is located at our site in Kendall Square, Boston.

Be encouraged and supported to think creatively in our dynamic environment. Here, we are free to ask the right questions and make bold decisions. We harness multi-omics, computational biology, and AI to accelerate research, connect complex molecular and clinical data to key biological questions, and ensure that discoveries made in the lab can make a meaningful difference for patients.

What you will do

In this role, you will provide scientific leadership in a highly cross-functional and thriving environment together with specialists in immunology, cell therapy, translational medicine, and data science, as well as with other translational data scientists and AI experts.

We are looking for an outstanding Translational Data Scientist to lead the integration and interpretation of large-scale multimodal datasets, with particular emphasis on single-cell and spatial omics in immunology. You will define innovative analytical and AI-driven approaches to identify disease mechanisms, therapeutic hypotheses, biomarkers, and patient subgroups, helping to support decision‑making across the portfolio.

You will lead the development of transformational precision medicine propositions to deliver life‑changing medicines to patients. You will be responsible for planning, performing, interpreting, and communicating analyses that maximize the value of our growing data assets. These may include single‑cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, BCR/TCR repertoire data, high‑dimensional immune profiling data, and other complementary molecular and clinical datasets.

You will provide scientific leadership in the evaluation, adoption, and practical application of AI and machine learning methodologies across the team. This includes hands‑on experience with large language models, biological foundation models, and other frontier AI approaches applied to multimodal biological data analysis, knowledge extraction, and translational insight generation. Critically, you will act as a scientific guide and quality arbiter for AI outputs; ensuring biological validity and translational relevance rather than simply a consumer of AI tools.

By applying state‑of‑the‑art computational methods and providing scientific leadership in a collaborative cross‑functional setting, you will help generate actionable biological insight in immunological diseases and support the advancement of next‑generation therapeutic strategies, including cell therapy.

Essential for the role

· Relevant PhD (or equivalent) in computational biology, translational data science, bioinformatics, biostatistics, or a related quantitative discipline, plus at least 6+ years of relevant applied experience in academia, biotech, or pharmaceutical R&D.

· Substantial experience in Immunology and/or Cell Therapy research within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or leading academic environment. with evidence of shaping translational strategy or influencing programme direction.

· Deep expertise in single‑cell omics analysis, with strong hands‑on experience in developing and applying advanced approaches to single‑cell RNA‑seq data and translating the results into meaningful biological or therapeutic insights.

· Strong experience in spatial omics / spatial transcriptomics / spatial proteomics.

· Expertise in at least one of BCR/TCR repertoire analysis or high‑dimensional cytometry data analysis such as CyTOF, together with interest in working across both.

· Proven experience in multimodal data integration across molecular and clinical datasets, including defining integration strategies, selecting fit‑for‑purpose methods, and interpreting evidence across modalities such as single‑cell transcriptomics, spatial omics, immune repertoire data, cytometry, and associated metadata.

· Excellent coding skills in Python, R, or similar languages appropriate for large‑scale omics analysis, together with experience in version control such as Git/Bitbucket, Linux environments (cluster and/or cloud), and effective use of modern AI‑assisted coding tools such as GitHub Copilot or Claude Code.

· Expertise in immunology and the use of omics data to derive biological insight relevant to disease mechanisms, translational research, biomarker strategies, and therapeutic development.

· Demonstrated hands‑on experience applying machine learning and AI methods to biological data, including familiarity with at least one of: biological foundation models (e.g. scGPT), deep learning frameworks (PyTorch or TensorFlow), large language models for biological knowledge extraction or agentic workflows, or generative and representation learning approaches.

· Ability to critically evaluate AI tool outputs in a biological and translational context.

· Outstanding communication, collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to explain complex computational analyses to both expert and non‑expert audiences, provide clear recommendations to senior stakeholders, constructively challenge scientific assumptions, and build alignment across cross‑functional teams.

· A high degree of scientific independence, strategic judgement, curiosity, and a proactive, delivery‑focused mindset.

Desirable for the role

· Experience with both BCR/TCR repertoire analysis and CyTOF.

· Experience working within AI‑augmented analytical pipelines and the ability to define when and where AI adds genuine scientific value versus where human biological judgement remains essential.

· Track record of applying translational data science and computational analyses to drive decisions in drug discovery, translational science, or clinical development.

· Experience leading projects and collaborating with internal and/or external partners in matrixed, multidisciplinary teams.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $143,323.20 - $214,984.80. 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.Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big, and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

Work policy

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working give 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.

Diversity & Inclusion

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry‑leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Date Posted

01-Oct-2026

Closing Date

23-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.