Director, AI Science Strategy & Innovation

About AISI

AI Strategy & Innovation (AISI) sits at thecentreof AstraZeneca's R&D AI transformation. Our remit is toidentify, develop and scale AI capabilities that accelerate scientific discovery, improve pipelinedecisionsand transform how R&Doperatesacross Discovery, Translational Science, Biomarkers and Clinical Development. Based on the source Senior Director role, AISI acts as the connector between AI research, business priorities, externalpartnershipsand scientific delivery.

We are looking for an exceptional individual who canoperatecomfortably across science,technologyand business. This is not a traditional strategy role, nor a pure research role. It is designed for someone who combines scientific credibility, quantitative rigor, intellectualcuriosityand commercial awareness to help shape the future of AI-enabled drug development.

The Role

This role sits at the intersection of AI, lifesciencesand strategy.

You will work with scientists, AI researchers,engineersand senior business leaders toidentifywhere emerging AI capabilities can create meaningful impact across AstraZeneca's R&D portfolio. You will assess opportunities, develop strategic recommendations, support externalpartnershipsand help translatecutting-edgescience into practical business outcomes.

Success in this role requires someone who is equally comfortable discussing machine learning approaches, evaluating scientificopportunitiesand developing persuasive business cases.

You'llbe expected to learn rapidly, challenge assumptions, synthesize complexinformationand help senior stakeholders navigate an increasingly dynamic AI landscape.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have built careers that span multiple domains, combining scientific research excellence with exposure to strategic problem-solving, innovation, investment evaluation, technologyassessmentor external partnering.

What You Will Own

IdentifyHigh-Impact AI Opportunities

Develop a deep understanding of scientific priorities across AstraZeneca R&D andidentifyopportunities where AI can accelerate decision-making, improveproductivityor unlock novel scientific insights.

Assess emerging AI technologies anddeterminewhere they can create meaningful value rather than simply technical novelty.

Shape Strategic Recommendations

Conduct strategic analyses covering AI technologies, competitive landscapes, scientifictrendsand innovation opportunities.

Support the development of recommendations that inform investment decisions, capabilitydevelopmentand portfolio priorities.

Translate complex technical and scientific information into clear, actionable insights for senior leaders.

Connect Science,AIand Business

Act as a bridge between scientific experts, technicalspecialistsand business stakeholders.

Help stakeholders understand both the potential and limitations of modern AI approaches and support informed decision-making.

Build credibility through curiosity, rigorousanalysisand deep understanding rather than formal authority.

Support External Innovation and Partnerships

Identifyand evaluate opportunities to collaborate with academic institutions, AI-native companies, technologyvendorsand emerging biotechnologyorganisations.

Support partnership assessments, technology evaluations and innovation initiatives that strengthen AstraZeneca's AI ecosystem.

Monitor the External Landscape

Track developments across AI, biotechnology, computationalbiologyand adjacent scientific fields.

Provide insightsoncompetitive activity, emerging technologies and opportunities that could shape AstraZeneca's future AI strategy.

Communicatewith Influence

Develop compelling presentations, briefingdocumentsand strategic narratives for leadership audiences.

Communicate complex scientific and technical concepts in ways that inform,engageand influence diverse stakeholders.

WhatYouBring

Essential

• PhD ina quantitative, computational, mathematical, engineering, physical sciences or life sciences discipline.

• Demonstrated experience developing or applying advanced computational, AI, machinelearningor mathematical approaches to solve complex scientific problems.

• Track recordof leading independent researchprogrammes, analyticalprojectsor innovation initiatives from concept through execution.

• Ability to move seamlessly between scientific,technicaland commercial discussions.

• Experience translating highly technical concepts into strategic recommendations for decision-makers.

• Strong understanding of modern AI and machine learning approaches, including foundation models, generative AI, probabilisticmodellingorrelated technologies.

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders in research, technology, academic,commercialor innovation environments.

• Outstanding analytical, problem-solvingand communication skills.

• Exceptional learning agility, intellectualcuriosityand ability to rapidly buildexpertisein unfamiliar domains.

• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.

• Research experience at the intersection of AI, machine learning, mathematics, computationalscienceand biology.

• Publication of scientific research in peer-reviewed journals and/orpresentationat international conferences.

• Experience contributing to successful grant applications, research fundinginitiativesor investment cases.

• Experience evaluating scientific,technologicalor innovation opportunities.

• Exposure tostrategy consulting, business analysis, venture investing, technologydiligenceor corporate innovation activities.

• Experienceestablishingcollaborations between academic institutions, technologyorganisationsand industry partners.

• Experience building external networks and developing partnership opportunities.

• Experience mentoring students,researchersor technical colleagues.

Desirable

• Understanding ofdrug discovery, translational science, biomarkers, computationalbiologyor related R&D disciplines.

• Familiarity with multimodal biological data, omics technologies, digitalbiologyor AI-enabled scientific research.

• Experience working within biotechnology, pharmaceutical,healthcareor deep-tech environments.

• International experience across academic,scientificor commercial settings.

Date Posted

24-juni-2026

Closing Date

30-juni-2026