Incubation & Acceleration Lead, Discovery. Tumor Immunity

Incubation & Acceleration Lead, Discovery, Tumor Immunity

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

Purpose and Scope:

To enhance our ability to serve cancer patients, deeper understanding of cancer biology in the context of diseases such as GI/GU cancers is crucial. The Incubation & Acceleration Lead, Discovery, Tumor Immunity, will report to the Head, Discovery, Tumor Immunity, and will involve nurturing ideas from internal and external sources, including academic and biotech companies in Bay Area, into drug discovery programs. With no set reporting lines, the position will liaise closely with South San Francisco based biologists, act as a hub to effectively connect small ideation teams, identify promising seeds, and manage incubation research effort to create drug discovery projects (DC) while promoting collaboration with chemistry and biologics functions. The lead will oversee three or more incubation research projects simultaneously.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• As a leadership member of the Tumor Immunity biology team, be responsible for developing research strategies and ideation directions, ensuring alignment with the overarching strategy of Cancer Biology.
• Develop a plan for accessing external seeds in collaboration with the CI&PRM team in Oncology Research and Business Development.

Scientific Leadership & Oversight

• Identify the next area of biology to address, considering the linkage between disease pathology and biology.
• Work with I&A Leads and biologists to provide scientific insights for cancer biology incubation research strategies.
• Commit to create 1 or more DC program a year from the incubation research portfolio.

Team Leadership & Management

• Foster a collaborative, transparent, and creative team environment that drives innovation and invention.
• Manage team priorities, resources, and investments in alignment with Oncology Research overall strategy and objectives.

Qualifications:
Required

• PhD, MD or equivalent advanced degree in a life science discipline
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical industry with significant expertise in related functions (e.g. Cancer biology, Immunology, Immuno-Oncology) with 3+ years in research leadership positions
• Expertise in oncology drug discovery research is a must with a clear track record in the successful preclinical development of therapeutics in Oncology therapeutic area
• Understanding of pharmaceutical product development, manufacturing, and regulatory science
• Contributed to the successful transition of drug candidates to the clinical-development phase resulting in favorable outcomes.
• Strong scientific acumen
• Strong written and spoken communications skills in English
• Self-motivation with a proactive mindset
• Strong interpersonal influence and active listening skills, flexible team player with the highest ethical and business standards

Preferred

• Author of over 8 peer-reviewed publications in biology

Working Environment:

• This position is based in South San Francisco and will require on-site work/management in principle.
• Participation in meetings scheduled for early mornings and late nights is regularly required.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $220,000  (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

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