Senior Research Lead in Oncology

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians.  If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

 

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.

 

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply. 

 

Purpose:

Senior Research Lead in Oncology at Astellas is a strategic leader and key member of our scientific oncology research team, dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapeutic compounds for cancer treatment. This role reports to the Head of Oncology Research and involves providing global strategic leadership, scientific expertise, and business acumen to drive the success of our nonclinical research programs as well as providing scientific expertise support for clinical programs. Senior Research Lead also serves as a mentor for other Research Leads.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Strategic and Scientific Leadership

Drive the research program from Discovery (DC) stage through Candidate Nomination (CN) as a leader, ensuring alignment with company goals and a robust pipeline of clinical candidates. Co-lead the Asset Maximization Team (AMT) with Asset Lead from CN to First Subject Dose (FSD), supporting clinical development as a subject matter expert (SME) in nonclinical science after FSD. Provide scientific leadership fostering innovation and guiding teams on strategic and technical decisions. Evaluate and prioritize drug candidates based on scientific, medical and commercial considerations in collaboration with Dev and Com representatives, incorporating the latest advancements in oncology research, drug discovery technologies, and industry trends. Lead program reviews, milestone decisions, and budget/resource allocation, ensuring financial and operational efficiency for their responsible Research team in collaboration with sub-functional unit heads. Share best practices with other Research Leads to enhance program strategies and execution.

Team Leadership and Management

Build and lead high-performing, transparent, and creative research teams, fostering innovation and collaboration. Manage team priorities, resources, and investments in alignment with the company's overall oncology strategy and objectives. Attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent by driving innovation and providing growth opportunities. Oversee experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation, ensuring high scientific rigor and impactful decision-making.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Represent their responsible Research team and collaborate closely with other Research teams, Primary Focus Lead (PFL)-Oncology, Development team, T&M team, and other key stakeholders to drive program success. Align research objectives with the broader oncology strategy, ensuring seamless coordination with key stakeholders and leadership teams. Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including academic institutions and industry partners.