Associate Director (Animal Sciences & Technologies)

Associate Director (Animal Sciences & Technologies)

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives and are made to feel valued, energized, and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Summary of the group:

Animal Science and Technologies (AST) is a global department that delivers in vivo studies, animal care, and welfare that is compliant to internal standards and external regulations. Principles of the 3Rs are applied to all aspects of animal care and study conduction.

The role:

In this role you will lead a team that works closely with the AstraZeneca therapy areas. The team is responsible for the care and welfare of animals and directing pre-clinical assessment studies. You will chair in vivo study design meetings and participate in global initiatives to develop best practices and implement quality control measures based upon current literature. You will also be responsible for training junior staff in scientific method and in vivo study design as well as overseeing an established in vivo training program.

This role requires the ability to engage in constructive and challenging dialogues in cross-functional teams.

Required Education & Experience:

• BS degree in biology or related field with 5+ years of experience in laboratory animal science or specialty certification in laboratory animal science or medicine

• In vivo skills in a variety of animal species

• Experience supervising and managing staff

• Experience in experimental design and scientific publication

Preferred Education & Experience:

• PhD or DVM/VMD with 2+ years of experience

• Experience in drug discovery and human disease areas and research

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 individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and daring world.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey, apply today!

Site Location 

The Waltham R&D site is situated within a biopharma cluster of academic research institutions, medical centers, pharmaceutical companies and biotech start-ups. The Boston region is consistently ranked #1 globally for biotech research, investment, talent recruitment and lab space.  The campus, also known as the Boston BioHub, is one of the largest and most dynamic life-science research hubs in the region. It is home to more than 800 scientists and experts working in nine different pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The site is also home to the AstraZeneca Incubator, a program that helps emerging companies advance novel and innovative healthcare solutions to meet the needs of patients. Plenty of free covered/uncovered parking is available along with charging stations for electric vehicles. Additionally, shuttle service to local transportation hubs is also available. 

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in the summer of 2026. 

Find out more information here:    Kendall Square Press Release  

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $138,338 to $207,507. 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.

Date Posted

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.