Integrative Science Lead

Astellas Pharma, Inc.; Westborough (MA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) match

Company paid life insurance

Annual Corporate Bonus

Quarterly Sales Incentive

Long Term Incentive Plan

Company fleet vehicle

Referral bonus program

Job summary

Astellas is seeking an Integrative Science Lead based in Westborough, MA, on-site. The role acts as the central liaison across Integrative Science, coordinating with Bioanalytical, Cytogenomics, and Preclinical teams to align strategy and delivery for CGT programs.

The position requires strong communication, matrixed collaboration, and the ability to translate complex scientific data into actionable plans while prioritizing initiatives with significant scientific and business impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology R&D with strong CGT knowledge.
• Understanding of nonclinical development and regulatory support.
• Knowledge of Integrative Science areas such as bioanalytical, cytogenomics, preclinical development, study management, or nonclinical writing.
• Ability to operate in a matrixed environment and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to translate complex information for diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to see the big picture while understanding scientific and operational details for action.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities across programs.

Responsibilities

• Represent Integrative Science in initiatives, program teams, governance forums, and cross-functional planning discussions.
• Translate program, asset, regulatory, CMC, clinical, and organizational needs into clear IS activities with timelines and ownership.
• Bridge activities across Bioanalytical, Cytogenomics, Preclinical Development, Study Management, and Preclinical Writing.
• Maintain visibility into IS commitments across programs and prioritize activities by scientific importance and business impact.
• Communicate rapidly with management on program direction, data, risks, or cross-functional issues.
• Ensure IS perspectives are represented in portfolio planning and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Excellent communication

Facilitation skills

Presentation skills

Matrixed environment experience

Strategic thinking

Project management

Collaborative leadership

Education

Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline; PhD preferred

Job description

Integrative Science Lead

About Astellas

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.

Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?

We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Purpose & Scope

In this role as an Integrative Science Lead within Cell and Gene Therapy Research, you will serve as a central liaison and go-to representative for Integrative Science across company initiatives, program teams, governance forums, and cross-functional working groups. You will help identify where Integrative Science expertise is needed, ensure the right IS functions are engaged at the right time, and translate cross-functional needs into clear activities, deliverables, ownership, and resource considerations within IS, by working closely with line leaders.

Role and Responsibilities

The role requires a strong communicator and collaborative leader who can see the big picture, connect scientific and operational details across functions, and rapidly communicate key issues, risks, decisions, and recommendations. The role will bridge Bioanalytical, Cytogenomics, Preclinical Development, Study Management, and Preclinical Writing to support integrated planning, execution, interpretation, documentation, and communication of nonclinical and translational activities across the CGT portfolio, while maintaining close working relationships with Research Leads and other internal customers.

Primary role - Serving as the Integrative Science liaison and cross-functional point of contact, such as:

• Representing Integrative Science in company initiatives, program teams, cross-functional forums, and strategic planning discussions.
• Identifying when and where Integrative Science input is needed and ensuring the appropriate IS subject matter experts are engaged early and effectively.
• Translating program, asset team, regulatory, CMC, clinical, and organizational needs into clear IS activities, deliverables, timelines, and decision points.
• Connecting activities across Bioanalytical, Cytogenomics, Preclinical Development, Study Management, and Preclinical Writing to ensure aligned, efficient, and scientifically coherent execution.
• Maintaining visibility into IS commitments across programs and initiatives and helping prioritize activities based on scientific importance, development stage, timelines, and business impact.
• Apply big-picture thinking to connect scientific, operational, regulatory, and portfolio considerations and anticipate downstream implications for IS and partner functions.

Acting as the Integrative Science integration specialist and operational bridge:

• Work closely with IS functional leaders and SMEs to align scientific strategy, study planning, data generation, documentation, and regulatory support.
• Help define the scope, timing, ownership, and resourcing of IS contributions to project plans, governance materials, regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and internal decision-making packages.
• Work with IS functional leaders and Research Leads to identify, justify, and secure unplanned or budgetary needs that arise due to changing program priorities, timelines, or strategic direction.
• Facilitate effective communication between IS and partner groups including Research Leads, Program/Project Management, Early Development and Translational Sciences, Regulatory, CMC, Clinical, and Asset Teams, while maintaining close working relationships with Research Leads across programs.
• Support issue identification, escalation, and resolution when scientific, operational, or documentation needs span multiple IS functions.
• Address issues and answer questions related to data generated by any IS group, including helping connect stakeholders with the appropriate subject matter experts when deeper functional interpretation is needed.
• As needed, present IS data, interpretations, key messages, risks, and recommendations to internal customers, program teams, and cross-functional governance forums.
• Communicate rapidly and effectively to management when program direction, emerging data, resource needs, risks, or cross-functional issues require awareness, alignment, or decision-making.
• Ensure that IS perspectives are appropriately represented in portfolio planning, prioritization discussions, process improvement efforts, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, process consistency, and strong collaboration across IS and with external partner functions.
• Represent Integrative Science in ongoing improvements in cross-functional and global collaborations, operational workflows, and sharing of best practices and knowledge.

Maintain strong working relationships with Research Leads, stakeholders, and colleagues across IS and partner functions.

Supporting integrated IS planning and delivery across functional areas:

• Partner with Bioanalytical colleagues to understand needs related to biodistribution, exposure, immunogenicity, biomarker, and assay-related activities.
• Partner with Cytogenomics colleagues to connect genomic testing, lot release, mechanism-of-disease, exploratory marker, and platform capability needs with project and organizational priorities.
• Partner with Preclinical Development colleagues to align pharmacology, safety, biodistribution, and IND-enabling study needs with broader program strategy.
• Partner with Study Management to ensure study planning, CRO coordination, monitoring, timelines, and documentation needs are visible and integrated.
• Partner with Preclinical Writing to support clear handoffs, key message development, document planning, and consistency of IS input into regulatory and internal documents.

Required Qualifications

• Relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research and development, with strong knowledge of cell and gene therapy and preferred experience in biologics, rare disease, ophthalmology, neuromuscular, CNS, or related areas.
• Understanding of nonclinical development and the activities required to support candidate nomination, IND/CTA preparation, regulatory interactions, and clinical-stage program support.
• Working knowledge of one or more Integrative Science areas such as bioanalytical sciences, cytogenomics/genomics, preclinical development, study management, or nonclinical/preclinical writing.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed environment and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and operational information into clear messages for diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to see the big picture while also understanding the scientific and operational details needed to drive appropriate action, prioritization, and decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables across programs and initiatives.
• Established record of being proactive, collaborative, accountable, composed under pressure, and able to deliver high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline; PhD degree preferred

Location and Working Environment

• This position is based in AIRM - Westborough, MA and will require on-site work.

What awaits you at Astellas?

• Global collaboration: Become part of a connected global business of like-minded life science leaders, all dedicated to improving patients' lives worldwide.
• Real-world patient impact: Contribute to transformative therapies that reach patients around the world, knowing your work makes a difference every day.
• Relentless Innovation: Join a company at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.
• A Culture of Growth: Chart your own course within a supportive environment that values your contributions, champions your development, and empowers you to pursue your passions.

Our Organizational Values and Behaviors

Values:

Innovation, Integrity and Impact sit at the heart of what we do.

Behaviors:

We come together as 'One Astellas', working with courage and a sense of urgency. We are outcome focused and consistently take accountability for our personal contribution.

Salary Range

$145,460-$207,800 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations.)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program