AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that spans the discovery, development, manufacturing, distribution and worldwide commercialisation of primary care and speciality care medicines. We believe the best way we can help patients is to focus on breakthrough science in order to uncover disease mechanisms and develop novel, targeted therapies that interact with them. This is at the heart of our purpose as a company: to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. We invest in distinctive science in three main therapy areas where we believe we can make the most meaningful difference to patients: oncology; cardiovascular and metabolic diseases; and respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity. Our science exploits our rare combination of capabilities in small molecules and biologics, immunotherapies, protein engineering technologies and devices. These are reinforced by a strong focus on translational science and personalised healthcare capabilities. We build on our own capabilities by collaborating with world-renowned scientists and academic institutions and partnering with like-minded science-led companies. Through leading in science, we are confident that we can transform the lives of people around the world and deliver value to our shareholders.

What you’ll do?

• You will support the timely, high quality in-market companion diagnostics / testing solutions to enable optimal patient access and treatment throughout the lifecycle of oncology products. Develop and implement tactical plans with an understanding of clinical and diagnostic operational issues in the testing pathway thereby ensuring tailored testing solutions and appropriate access support.
• You will work collaboratively with the medical scientific liaisons, local sales teams and market access colleagues and execute on tactical plans with a good understanding of the medical and clinical operational issues on the interface between the Oncologists, Geneticists, Pathologists and Molecular Pathologist and the testing pathway, helping to deliver appropriate information, insights, and solutions. Gather insights and deliver education as appropriate to internal and external stakeholders.

Some areas of focus for this role will include:

• Identify and develop needs-based relationships with pathologists, molecular pathologists, molecular diagnostics kit suppliers, scientific experts, laboratory decision makers, thought-leaders, and scientific organizations.
• Identify barriers to testing through partnerships with diagnostic companies, lab networks, and Health Care Professionals (HCPs). Execution of tactical plans locally to support and educate on appropriate testing.
• Help develop robust testing facilities in strategic centers, including protocol support, working on identification and removing bottlenecks in testing through education, awareness, and advocacy.
• Help to deliver appropriate, approved, educational information on disease, pathology and diagnostics to internal and external stakeholders. Deliver highly technical and medical data presentations to Pathologists, HCPs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support externally sponsored research as appropriate
• Share diagnostic quality data with laboratory staff.
• Encourage multi-disciplinary diagnostic quality assurance programs at Institutions.
• Understand the current and emerging diagnostic testing environment.
• Share internally approved, educational information on diagnostics to the heads of clinical/pathology Laboratories and their staff.
• Support strategy roll out and educate on need for testing.
• Enforce the AZ Code of Conduct, SOPs as well as align with all regulatory and compliance requirements for the role.

If this sounds appealing, please read on to understand the experience and skills we’re looking for…

ESSENTIAL SKILLS and EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science.
• Strategic thinking and influencing skills, i.e., cooperating with own internal teams and external collaborators to ensure strong diagnostic focus with excellent execution.
• People Management.
• Coaching & Feedback – Leadership skills.
• Strong self-leadership attributes to set direction, generate commitment, balance short- and long-term needs, constructively resolve issues.
• Good understanding of the healthcare system, clinical trial methodology, statistics and regulatory environment.
• Very good command of English.

Desirable

• MSc/PhD  in a scientific discipline.
• Proven experience in either the molecular diagnostic market/clinical testing market (field position) OR as a lab personnel in the molecular pathology oncology space.
• Experience and knowledge of a broad range of oncology diagnostic biomarkers.
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to the industry and diagnostics.
• Excellent project management ability.