• Job Description

  Req#: R-181640

  Do you have a passion for Science? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

  At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being ambitious, 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.

  About AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD:

  
  Job Description

  Senior Scientist/Associate Director, Systems Medicine

  Locations: Gaithersburg, MD/Waltham, MA

  Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most pioneering technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and multi-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

  The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly designed, activity-based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.

  The Systems Medicine group is seeking a Systems Modeler passionate about using mathematical and computational skills to develop and apply empirical and/or mechanistic models of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The group is under Clinical Pharmacology & Quantitative Pharmacology Department and consists of > 20 mathematical modelers with backgrounds in pharmacometrics, computational biology, and/or biomedical/chemical engineering.

  Working in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment the successful candidate support projects in both non-clinical and clinical phases. The candidate will develop and apply pharmacological mechanistic systems models to contribute to decisions on dose regimens by balancing efficacy and safety via modeling & simulation based on understanding of the mechanism of action of investigational drugs.

  The position will be based on our vibrant R&D sites in Gaithersburg, MD, USA.

  To succeed in this role, we believe you are a person who enjoys working collaboratively with a variety of key stakeholders and collaborators to identify opportunities, build support and deliver innovative modeling and simulation solutions.

  Main responsibilities :

  • Create, expand or refine mathematical models to address drug-discovery and development questions.
  • Review, analyze and prepare available data for modeling purposes and apply best modeling approaches to enhance project decision-making.
  • Develop/apply PKPD/TKTD models to enable translation of findings from preclinical species to humans.
  • Develop and utilize mathematical models to enhance quantitative understanding of mechanisms based on literature and in-house data. Including:
    - Identifying relevant data (in vitro and in vivo preclinical and clinical study data) for model development, optimization, and validation.
  • Influence experimental design by using available data and appropriate modeling solutions.
  • Engage with project teams and present modeling work.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of new modeling and simulation strategies for clinical drug development decisions.
  • Stay up-to-date with emerging literature in modeling and simulation sciences.

  
  Essential requirements:

  • Physiology related PhD or similar degree in pharmacometrics, chemical, mechanical or biomedical engineering, physics, applied mathematics or related field.
  • Excellent understanding of theory, principles and statistical aspects of mathematical modeling and simulation, including numerical methods, parametrization and ODEs.

  • Hands-on knowledge of modeling with ODEs, Agent-Based Modeling, Statistical and/or Machine Learning modeling, etc
    • Experience with modeling and data analysis tools and languages such as R or Matlab or Python.
    • Self-directed, independent and highly-motivated researcher who excels in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment.
    • Ability to interact across pre-clinical and clinical teams.
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with scientists in other subject areas with a positive and collaborative attitude.
    • Ability to learn new areas of biological sciences and build on solid foundation of quantitative skills to develop models.
    • Ability to keep up to date with and propose the implementation of scientific and technological developments.

  Preferred Skills and Qualifications

  • Industry or postdoctoral experience in building, validating and using predictive mathematical models (PKPD/TKTD/mechanistic models).
  • Exposure to current principles and concepts in DMPK, Toxicology and Safety
  • Experience with PK, PKPD, TKTD modelling and joint longitudinal modelling tools such as Monolix or any other relevant software’s.
  • Knowledge of models of biological pathways/systems to support translational research.
  • Familiarity with the challenges of drug discovery and forward thinking with respect to the general application of mathematical models in discovery and development.
  • Evidence of identifying, developing, and applying innovative solutions to scientific and technological problems faced in systems and predictive modelling.
  • Scientific leadership as evidenced by publication record.

  • “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 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.”

  Date Posted

  10-Oct-2023

  Closing Date

  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. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

  AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.

• About the company

  AstraZeneca PLC is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company with its global headquarters in Cambridge, England.

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