Associate Principal Scientist 2 - Translational Medicine

Job Description / Capsule

As a senior member of the China Translational Medicine (TM) team, funded by global Hematology TM, the role holder leads the development and delivery of China-specific TM strategies for complex clinical studies and across assigned programs. Working with the Head of China TM and global TM Leads (TMLs), the role holder integrates scientific objectives, China-specific clinical questions, local testing capabilities and applicable China requirements into globally aligned biomarker plans. The role provides scientific leadership for patient selection testing, exploratory analyses of clinical trial samples and translational science data generation through external laboratory partners.

The role holder serves as the senior China TM cross-functional interface for assigned studies and programs, drives stakeholder alignment, and coordinates high-complexity governance support through integrated scientific input, clear recommendations and proactive management of risks and dependencies. Working with TM technology evaluation teams and relevant regulatory and Human Genetic Resources (HGR) specialists, the role holder leads scientific oversight of local technology providers, fit-for-purpose assay validation and testing quality. The role also develops local TM capability through training, mentoring and scientific guidance for junior China TML(s).

The role holder is accountable for ensuring that all activities are delivered demonstrating behaviours and values aligned to AstraZeneca Code of Conduct and supporting policies, standards and procedures, including compliant management of Budget, Safety, Health and Environment.  

Typical Accountabilities

Provide China TM strategic and scientific leadership for complex clinical studies and assigned programmes, working in partnership with the Head of China TM, global TMLs and cross-functional teams. Lead the integration of China-specific scientific priorities, testing strategies and delivery requirements into globally aligned TM plans, with independent judgement and proactive management of complex risks, dependencies and stakeholder needs.. 

• Lead China-specific TM strategy: Lead the development and delivery of China-specific biomarker and translational science strategies for complex clinical studies and assigned programs. Shape global TM plans through China-specific scientific, clinical and feasibility input, including protocol contributions and recommendations for local testing approaches.
• Inform study design and development decisions: Provide scientific leadership to clinical project teams, translating China-specific clinical questions into biomarker objectives, patient selection and stratification approaches, exploratory analyses and data-generation plans that inform indication selection, assessment of biological activity and development decisions.
• Coordinate high-complexity governance support: Lead the coordination of China TM inputs for complex study and program governance reviews. Integrate scientific and cross-functional contributions into decision-ready recommendations, options, trade-offs, risks and mitigation plans, and coordinate follow-through on resulting actions.
• Drive stakeholder alignment and cross-functional coordination: Serve as the senior China TM interface for assigned studies and programs, connecting global TMLs, China clinical teams, regulatory and HGR specialists, TM technology groups and external testing partners. Align priorities, responsibilities and dependencies, resolve competing requirements, and escalate unresolved issues with clear recommendations.
• Lead complex assay and laboratory strategies: Lead scientific oversight of local technology-provider evaluation, laboratory selection, assay deployment, fit-for-purpose validation and quality-control plans. Work with local vendors and global technical experts to monitor testing quality and resolve complex scientific and delivery issues.
• Integrate China-specific requirements: Partner with responsible regulatory and HGR functions to incorporate applicable China requirements into TM plans. Coordinate scientific contributions to HGR applications, submissions and responses, and anticipate implications for study design, testing and delivery.
• Lead scientific interpretation and communication: Lead the quality and integration of China TM data reviews, interpretations, clinical study reports, presentations and scientific publication contributions. Communicate findings, implications and recommendations to study teams, development teams, management and relevant governance forums.
• Train and mentor junior China TML(s): Develop and deliver structured training, mentoring and study-based scientific guidance for junior China TMLs. Strengthen capability in TM strategy development, governance preparation, stakeholder engagement, biomarker delivery and complex issue resolution, and promote consistent approaches across assigned studies.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Master’s/MD/PhD degree required, with at least 4 years of relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry with understanding of clinical development process and key activities in translational medicine and how they contribute to achieving business objectives.
• Strong scientific knowledge in Haematology/Oncology and relevant biomarker disciplines, with experience translating scientific questions into clinical biomarker strategies.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading TM or biomarker strategies for complex clinical studies, including integration of China-specific scientific, testing and regulatory considerations into global development plans.
• Experience leading biomarker data generation, interpretation and scientific recommendations for study or programme decisions.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional governance inputs and providing scientific oversight of external laboratories or biomarker-testing partners.

Skills & Capabilities

• Ability to communicate to stakeholders translational science findings and impact through oral presentations and progress reports 
• Ability to identify risks and escalate appropriately
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to act as an ambassador for TM/AZ internally and externally
• Excellent organisational skills, with the proven ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure and against tight timelines

Desirable

• Preclinical research and drug development experiences with demonstrated data interpretation skills;
• Clinical research experience in Haematology/Oncology, targeted therapies or related fields.
• Experience supporting health-authority interactions and complex scientific responses.
• Practical experience with China HGR applications and patient selection assay delivery in clinical trials.
• Experience developing reusable training materials or consistent TM working approaches across studies.

Date Posted

05-11月-2026

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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.