
Director, Genomics & ctDNA Bioinformatics
AstraZeneca
Summary
AstraZeneca is committed to using genomics, data science, and artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery and drug development. Within Biomarker Sciences & Technologies, we are seeking an experienced computational scientist to lead bioinformatics strategy and analysis for minimally invasive and multimodal biomarkers, with particular emphasis on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), genomic data, and oncology applications.
Job description
What You'll Do
Lead Genomics and ctDNA Bioinformatics
- Lead bioinformatics strategy and hands-on analysis for genomic and ctDNA biomarker studies across discovery, translational research, and clinical development.
- Develop, evaluate, and apply reproducible workflows for sequencing quality control, variant detection, copy-number and other genomic analyses, ctDNA quantification, molecular response, and longitudinal disease monitoring.
- Design rigorous benchmarking studies to compare assays, computational pipelines, calling thresholds, and analytical approaches using reference materials, orthogonal methods, tissue–plasma comparisons, and clinical datasets.
- Build statistical, predictive, and mechanistic models that integrate genomic, ctDNA, clinical, and other biomarker data to generate actionable biological insights and support development decisions.
- Define fit-for-purpose analysis plans, performance metrics, validation criteria, and standards for reproducibility, traceability, statistical rigor, and scientific interpretation.
- Communicate analytical findings, assumptions, limitations, and recommendations clearly to multidisciplinary project teams and senior scientific stakeholders.
Drive AI Enablement and Innovation
- Evaluate and implement machine learning and AI methods for genomic interpretation, ctDNA signal detection, multimodal data integration, and biomarker modeling.
- Identify opportunities where advanced computational methods can improve analytical sensitivity, robustness, scalability, or biological insight.
- Develop and promote scalable, reusable analytical tools, pipelines, and data products that enable consistent application across studies and programs.
- Assess model performance, generalizability, bias, interpretability, and fitness for intended use, and ensure appropriate scientific and statistical validation.
- Build organizational capability through technical leadership, code and methods review, education, and knowledge sharing.
Minimum Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, biomarker analysis, or a related field.
- PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Statistics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
- Deep experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data and developing or applying bioinformatics workflows in biomedical research or drug development.
- Demonstrated expertise in genomics, biomarker analysis, statistical modeling, data integration, and rigorous interpretation of complex molecular and clinical datasets.
- Experience designing benchmarking or validation studies and evaluating analytical performance, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility, and sources of bias.
- Proficiency in Python and/or R and experience developing reproducible, version-controlled analytical workflows in a collaborative computing environment.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts, analytical limitations, and decision-relevant conclusions to diverse scientific audiences.
- Strong scientific leadership and collaboration skills, with experience working within multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable Qualifications
- Direct experience with liquid biopsy and ctDNA analysis, including low-frequency variant detection, tumor fraction estimation, molecular response or progression, minimal residual disease, or longitudinal monitoring.
- Experience benchmarking genomic assays or bioinformatics pipelines across platforms, vendors, sample types, or orthogonal technologies.
- Knowledge of somatic variant calling, copy-number analysis, error suppression, sequencing quality metrics, assay limit-of-detection assessment, and tissue–plasma concordance analyses.
- Experience developing predictive, longitudinal, or multimodal models that combine genomic biomarkers with clinical, imaging, or other molecular data.
- Experience applying machine learning or AI to biomedical data, with attention to model validation, interpretability, generalizability, and bias.
- Knowledge of oncology biomarker development, translational science, precision medicine, and clinical development.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, biomarker analysis, or a related field
- PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Statistics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related quantitative field
- Deep experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data and developing or applying bioinformatics workflows in biomedical research or drug development
- Demonstrated expertise in genomics, biomarker analysis, statistical modeling, data integration, and rigorous interpretation of complex molecular and clinical datasets
- Experience designing benchmarking or validation studies and evaluating analytical performance, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility, and sources of bias
- Proficiency in Python and/or R and experience developing reproducible, version-controlled analytical workflows in a collaborative computing environment
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts, analytical limitations, and decision-relevant conclusions to diverse scientific audiences
- Strong scientific leadership and collaboration skills, with experience working within multidisciplinary teams
Benefits
- 401(k) plan
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Paid leaves
- Medical coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Short-term incentive bonus
- Equity-based long-term incentive program
Company overview
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company dedicated to accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines that create enduring value for patients, society, and shareholders. With a workforce of over 94,300 employees worldwide, the company operates across three core therapy areas: Oncology, BioPharmaceuticals (including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, Respiratory & Immunology), and Rare Disease. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca maintains strategic R&D centers in Cambridge, Gaithersburg (US), Boston (US), Gothenburg (Sweden), Shanghai, and Beijing. The company generated $54.1 billion in total revenue in 2024 and invested $13.6 billion in scientific research and development. AstraZeneca's bold aspiration is to be pioneers in science, lead in disease areas, and transform patient outcomes, with a goal to launch 20 new medicines and achieve $80 billion in total revenue by 2030. The company is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, health equity, and creating an inclusive work environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation.