Senior Director Project Toxicologist

Position: Senior Director Project Toxicologist - Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences
Location: Cambridge, UK
Competitive Salary & Excellent Company Benefits
Applications Closing Date: 9th October 2026

Are you passionate about working for a global health care company who truly puts patients first, and would like to apply your toxicology expertise in a company that is accelerating innovative science and turns ideas into life changing medicines?

AstraZeneca discovers and develops medicines in our core areas of Oncology, Respiratory and Immunology, Microbial Sciences and Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Disease.

We are looking to recruit a talented Senior Project Toxicologist who has prior experience of late stage clinical development and global marketing into our Regulatory Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology team. In this role you will work as a Project Toxicologist on compounds in late clinical development and marketed products in multiple therapy areas. In collaboration with colleagues across our R&D organization you will develop and execute global regulatory toxicology strategies, playing a key role in delivering new medicines to market. As a Senior Project Toxicologist you will use your prior experience of successful marketing to coach others through the marketing and regulatory defence process. The role will be based at our vibrant R&D sites The Discovery Centre, Cambridge UK.

Job responsibilities include:

• As a core member of the project team, you will design regulatory toxicology strategies to assess and mitigate safety risks, delivering projects to successful global marketing. Provision of non-clinical safety expertise to support established brands.
• Communicate clear positions on integrated risk assessments including informing decision-making governance bodies and author/defend clinical trial and marketing applications.
• Coach others through the process of global marketing applications and regulatory defence
• Maintain expertise in regulatory requirements and preclinical safety approaches.
• Conduct specialist non-clinical safety evaluation of in-licensing opportunities.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Excellent scientist with a PhD and/or DABT in Biology, Toxicology, Pharmacology or related field, a strong scientific track record, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.
• Extensive experience working as a Project Toxicologist across different therapy areas within the pharmaceutical/biotech project environment delivering pre-clinical toxicology packages and successful marketing for a range of modalities which should include small molecules, peptides and oligonucleotides.
• A collaborative, team-oriented approach, able to solve problems in a goal-focused fashion with capacity to coordinate tasks across multiple projects. A proven track record as a successful coach/mentor of others.
• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal and influencing skills across levels/subject areas with a strong desire to drive personal development.
• Experience and desire to work with teams across geographies including awareness of inclusion and diversity. Adopting a working style that is inclusive and collegiate, contributing to our Great Place to Work objectives.

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.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

Date Posted
24-Sept-2026
Closing Date
09-Oct-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.

Our Philosophy
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company committed to excellence in the research, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines. With approximately 90,000 people in 85 countries, our aim is simple: to unlock the power of what science can do, for people, society and the planet. From Clinical Development, Regulatory and Medical Affairs to Finance, IT, Digital, Manufacturing and Supply, the opportunities to make an impact are limitless. Our workforce reflects the diversity of the patients we serve – it is embedded in everything we do. We're at our best and most creative when we seek out different perspectives, experiences and strengths. At AstraZeneca, you'll have the chance to grow your abilities, skills and knowledge constantly in a place that never stands still. Discover why we're a great place to work and see what science — and you — can do.