Associate Director, AI Bioinformatics

Job Title: Associate Director, AI Bioinformatics

Global Career Level: E

About our Team:

Predictive AI and Data team is responsible for providing AI and Bioinformatics solutions to the scientists across the spectrum of drug development and discovery in AstraZeneca (both pre-clinical and clinical stages). The primary aim is to find ways to accelerate the drug development process by leveraging existing company data in combination with the most cutting-edge AI approaches in day-to-day scientific work across the company.

Introduction to role:
As Associate Director, AI Bioinformatics, you will be accountable for designing and deploying advanced Machine Learning and AI solutions used for processing, analysis and interpretation of transcriptomics (as well as proteomics and cell painting) data within toxicological safety domains. You will then help build out the robust solution in production in collaboration with other data science and software developer teams across European and Asian R&D hubs.

Accountabilities:

• Collaborate with scientists from across the company to understand their challenges and work with them to build the platform that underpins their research.
• Take responsibility for designing, and deploying machine learning models for a large-scale analysis of clinical transcriptomics data
• Design and build machine learning models for transcriptomics data to predict the risk of clinical events, patient segmentation, or for high-throughput compound screening
• Apply a range of data science methodologies, developing novel data science solutions where off-the-shelf methodologies do not fit
• Build and manage effective relationships with stakeholders to ensure utilization and value of information resources and services. Clearly and objectively communicate results, as well as their associated uncertainties and limitations to shape solutions
• Work effectively across several timezones with AI research teams in China, India and Europe, communicating the requirements for the AI models and evaluating the available solutions
• Champion a “production first attitude” to ensure the necessary infrastructure and platforms are available to scale exploratory research to production.
• Be a part of a hard-working team, continuously improving AstraZeneca’s Machine Learning development environments, platforms, and tooling.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal governance and compliance functions such as Cyber Security and Data Privacy to secure the computing environment without obstructing end-user productivity.

• Proven experience in applying AI and machine learning in bioinformatics workflows
• Demonstrated experience in implementing machine learning/AI workflows to automate bioinformatics analysis pipelines, ideally in the Pharma and/or Healthcare space
• Familiarity with modern foundation models for transcriptomics or Cell Painting data
• In-depth experience in modelling of complex transcriptomics datasets
• Experience building ML/AI models to predict compound safety
• Experience of manipulating and analysing large high dimensionality unstructured datasets, drawing conclusions, defining recommended actions, and reporting results across stakeholders
• Advanced skills in programming languages such as Python, and experience with AI libraries and frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Strong knowledge of software development and machine learning deployment principles
• Demonstratable experience working with AWS or a similar cloud environment
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical partners.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, with a track record of leading successful bioinformatics projects
• Knowledge of AI ethics and responsible AI practices

• Familiarity with Cell Therapy domain
• Familiarity with modern foundation models for transcriptomics or Cell Painting data
• Experience working with proteomics datasets
• Experience building vision models using Cell Painting images
• Experience building ML/AI models to predict compound safety
• Experience in a complex global organization.
• Experience using DevOps and MLOps to enable automation strategies
• Experience working in an Agile team with knowledge or experience of working in product or platform-focused delivery

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 ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, curiosity and courage meet practical impact. We combine digital, data science and AI with deep biological insight to tackle complex disease, investing to better predict clinical success and move programs with pace. You will join a collaborative environment where unexpected teams come together to unlock breakthrough ideas, where kindness sits alongside ambition, and where your production-grade solutions can shape the future of healthcare for patients worldwide.

Call to Action:

Ready to build and scale AI that changes how we understand disease and accelerates therapies—take the next step today and shape breakthroughs that matter!