Project Toxicologist, Director – Oncology Targeted Delivery (OTD) Safety Science, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences

At AstraZeneca, our ambition is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. Our pioneering oncology pipeline reflects this mission, and our Oncology Targeted Delivery (OTD) Safety team plays a critical role in advancing transformative therapies to patients.

We are seeking a passionate and highly motivated Director, Project Toxicologist to join our OTD Safety group. This role will focus on novel targeted oncology therapies, including radioconjugates, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), and small molecules. Experience with radioconjugates is particularly valued; however, candidates with expertise in other relevant modalities are encouraged to apply.

As a Project Toxicologist, you will partner with cross-functional teams across Oncology R&D, bridging discovery and regulatory toxicology. You will develop innovative safety strategies, guide candidate selection, inform regulatory approaches, and help shape the future of oncology safety science.

What you’ll do

• Lead toxicology strategies: Design and oversee regulatory and investigative toxicology programs to predict, assess, and mitigate target- and modality-related safety risks.

• Support development decisions: Apply your toxicology expertise to anticipate clinical safety risks and provide data-driven recommendations across discovery and development programs.

• Advance safety science: Integrate in vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches with emerging technologies, including organ-on-chip, imaging, and omics, to address complex safety questions.

• Communicate integrated risk assessments: Present scientific conclusions and safety strategies to governance bodies and contribute to regulatory submissions.

• Provide regulatory and scientific leadership: Maintain and expand expertise in regulatory standards, preclinical safety, and modality-specific toxicology while anticipating industry trends and evolving methodologies.

• Support external opportunities: Provide strategic toxicology input for in-licensing evaluations, due diligence activities, and external collaborations.

• Build scientific influence: Advance Oncology Safety science through internal and external collaborations, publications, conference participation, and thought leadership.

• Develop people and partnerships: Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative environment and support the development of colleagues across teams and geographies.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Education: PhD, DABT, or an advanced university degree in toxicology, pharmacology, oncology, or a related scientific discipline, together with a strong scientific track record.

• Professional experience: Typically, at least 10 years of experience in project toxicology, investigative toxicology, regulatory toxicology, or related safety-focused roles within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO sector.

• Alternative experience pathway: Candidates with a minimum bachelor’s degree and substantial additional pharmaceutical industry experience may also be considered, including candidates with approximately 15 or more years of relevant experience.

• Oncology expertise: Deep understanding of oncology drug discovery and development, with a demonstrated ability to deliver toxicology programs supporting IND filings and broader development milestones.

• Modality expertise: Experience with radioconjugates or ADCs is preferred. Familiarity with small-molecule oncology therapeutics is also valuable.

• Translational safety skills: Experience applying in vitro, in silico, and in vivo tools to predict and characterize potential clinical safety risks.

• Leadership and collaboration: Ability to coordinate multiple projects across functions and geographies while working effectively in a complex, matrixed environment.

• Communication and influence: Strong scientific communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, with the ability to inform decisions among scientific, clinical, and regulatory stakeholders.

• Commitment to inclusion: Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, collaboration, and team development, consistent with AstraZeneca’s Great Place to Work objectives.

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 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 in