Director/Associate Director - R&D Discovery Vector Engineering
Join as the Director or Associate Director for Vector Engineering at AstraZeneca, leading discovery and engineering of novel lentiviral vectors (LVV) from concept through preclinical candidate selection.
Location
Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium (office-based position)
Reporting to
Executive Director, In Vivo Cell Therapy
What You'll Do
Drive discovery strategy for LVVs aligned to target product profiles, manufacturability, and clinical use cases.
Lead hypothesis-driven engineering from concept to preclinical candidate selection, including envelope/pseudotype, regulatory elements, payload design, and transduction specificity.
Source and prioritize new concepts from literature, IP, conferences, and internal takeaways; establish efficient triage and proof-of-concept workflows.
Build and scale in vitro and in vivo screening platforms and assays to characterize potency and safety, implementing robust data and analytics workflows.
Translate indication/product requirements into vector design criteria; collaborate with biological engineering, CAR/TCR discovery, nonclinical, safety, and clinical to de‐risk translation.
Integrate developability and CMC considerations early with development to ensure scalability, yield, purity, and stability.
Establish experimental rigor, statistical standards, and clear go/no‐go criteria to enable reproducible, high‐quality decisions.
\ Identify, negotiate, and manage external collaborations and CROs; assess BD and licensing opportunities for vector technologies.
Drive invention disclosures and FTO assessments; contribute to patent drafting and defense for vector innovations.
Recruit, mentor, and develop discovery scientists; foster a culture of scientific excellence, product focus, urgency, and accountability.
Manage budgets, resources, and timelines across programs/platforms with transparent portfolio reporting and prioritization.
Ensure biosafety and ethical research compliance; represent the function in technical reviews, governance, and external forums.
What You'll Bring
PhD in molecular biology, virology, bioengineering, or related field (or equivalent experience), with postdoctoral or advanced industry training.
8+ years (Associate Director) or 12+ years (Director) in gene therapy R&D focused on viral vector engineering, preferably LVV.
Demonstrated success designing, building, and optimizing viral vectors; LVV expertise strongly preferred; AAV or related systems a plus.
Clear history linking vector design to therapeutic product needs, clinical requirements, and manufacturability.
Proven collaboration with process development/CMC across upstream/downstream production, release testing, and scalability.
Experience leading small‐to‐medium discovery teams and matrixed initiatives to timely, high‐quality outcomes.
Evidence of innovation via publications, patents, or internal inventions; facility with FTO analyses and IP strategy.
Proficiency with statistical design and analysis, data visualization, and collaboration with computational teams.
Product‐focused, decisive, rigorous; thrives in ambiguity while maintaining quality, compliance, and speed.
Benefits
AstraZeneca offers a collaborative environment, opportunities for growth, and a commitment to science‐driven innovation to transform patient outcomes.
Legal and Diversity Statement
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 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.
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