Director, Scientific Writing

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 164,981 - 210,651; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentive bonus opportunity

Equity-based long-term incentive (sah)

Retirement contribution

Paid vacation and holidays

Health benefits including medical, Rx,

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a Director of Scientific Writing to lead a high-performing team and oversee outputs for oncology interventional and real-world studies. You will drive AI-enabled writing workflows, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage global writers and budgets.

The role reports to the Head of CODE and requires an advanced scientific degree, 7+ years of writing experience, and strong leadership within pharma communications.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a scientific or medical field.
• At least 7 years experience in scientific writing.
• Publications or medical communications experience in pharma or medical communications.
• Broad understanding of drug development process.
• Hands-on proficiency with AI writing tools and regulatory/compliance awareness.
• Experience managing budgets/resources in a global organization.
• Independent, organized, and able to lead in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to ethics and regulatory standards in publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of protocols and study reports for global and US Oncology trials (Phase II–IV).
• Author and oversee writing outputs for real-world evidence and observational studies.
• Lead AI adoption roadmap for scientific writing and establish governance for responsible use.
• Manage budgets, contractors, and performance of writers.
• Collaborate with Oncology Outcomes Research and Evidence Delivery teams on deliverables.
• Represent Scientific Writing on CODE Leadership team.

Skills

Scientific writing

AI writing tools

Budget management

Team leadership

Global collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Oncology knowledge

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD

Tools

AI writing tools (Claude, Copilot, Gemini)

Job description

Introduction To Role

Do you have expertise in and passion for Medical Affairs in Oncology? AstraZeneca’s vision in Oncology is to help patients by redefining the cancer‑treatment paradigm with the bold ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. We are proud to work on groundbreaking science with one of the broadest and deepest Oncology pipelines in the business! Help to advance our pipeline by applying expertise and accelerating our pathway to finding a cure.

Responsibilities

The Centre of Oncology Data Excellence [CODE] is a team within Global Medical Evidence Generation organization that is passionate about delivoutstanding class scientifically rigorous research to support the Global and US Medical Affairs (GMA). Director, Scientific Writing reports to the Head, CODE and will be leading and running a high‑performing scientific writing function, overseeing a blended team of internal writers and contractors to deliver high‑quality outputs across interventional trials and real‑world/observational studies. The Director will be a champion of AI‑augmented writing workflows and responsible for building the capability and culture to embrace these tools responsibly and effectively.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of protocols, and study reports for global and US Oncology medical affairs clinical interventional studies from Phase II--IV
• Personally author and provide oversight of scientific writing outputs (abstracts, posters, manuscripts, study reports, protocols, HTA dossier summaries) for real‑world evidence and observational studies conducted by the Oncology Outcomes Research team, including database studies, registry analyses, and chart reviews
• Lead the AI adoption roadmap for scientific writing: evaluate, pilot, and scale AI‑assisted drafting, literature synthesis, and quality review tools; establish governance frameworks for responsible use; train and upskill the team; and track measurable impact on quality, speed, and capacity
• Lead budgets, contractor relationships, and performance of internal and external scientific writers
• Collaborate with Oncology Outcomes Research and Evidence Delivery Team (delivering interventional trials) regarding the planning and development of scientific writing deliverables
• Represent Scientific Writing team as a member of CODE Leadership team

Essential Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a scientific or medical field (eg PharmD, PhD, MD)
• At least 7 years experience in scientific writing
• Demonstrated experience in the publications field, or medical communications gained through working in the pharmaceutical industry or a medical communications agency
• Broad understanding of drug development process.
• Hands‑on proficiency with AI writing tools (e.g. Claude, Copilot, Gemini) and demonstrated ability to critically evaluate outputs for scientific accuracy, regulatory alignment, and compliance with GPP/ICMJE standards; understanding of where AI can and cannot be applied in regulated medical writing contexts.
• Demonstrated performance, budget, and resource management skills in a global organization
• Be independent, organized, and able to act as a leader in a fast‑paced environment
• Ensure strict adherence to company policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards in all publications
• Flexibility and adaptability to lead long‑term activities in a constantly changing internal and external environment

Desirable

• Therapeutic knowledge in oncology
• Knowledge of publication management systems
• Certification as a Medical Publication Professional (CMPP) desired
• Validated experience crafting and scaling AI‑enabled workflows (e.g. ptimelylibraries, automated literature review, structured output templates), with measurable impact on timelines, throughput, or quality; comfort operating in a regulatory environment where AI use must be disclosed, validated, and defensible.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold 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 four 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.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $164,981 to $210,651. 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).

• 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)
• commission payment eligibility (sales roles)
• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• 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.

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our mission to bring life‑saving medicines to patients worldwide. Our commitment to decreasing global mortality rates is evident as we shape the future by identifying scientifically‑led commercial opportunities. We thrive on energy and pace—thinking big while acting fast. Here you'll find top talent in the industry working together to make an impact at every step of the patient journey. With countless opportunities for growth and development alongside leading experts, AstraZeneca is where you can build a diverse career while contributing to meaningful change.

Date Posted

21-Jul-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.