Director, Bacterial Vaccine Discovery

The Director of Bacterial Vaccine Discovery in Early Infectious Disease leads efforts to discover and develop bacterial vaccines, including carbohydrate conjugate, mRNA, and protein-based approaches. The individual will lead a team of scientists in discovering and characterizing novel bacterial vaccines to build and advance the portfolio. The team will collaborate across groups within Bacterial Vaccines to identify effective vaccine candidates and fully characterize their immunogenicity and efficacy in preclinical disease models. The role also requires influencing senior internal stakeholders in Research, Bioprocess Development, and Regulatory Affairs, as well as managing external academic collaborations and contract research organizations to deliver the early vaccine portfolio. Accountabilities Lead a team of scientists to discover and characterize candidate vaccine antigens, delivering robust in vitro and in vivo research packages that support pipeline progression and regulatory interactions. Serve as subject matter expert and research lead for multiple programs, presenting strategy and data to senior leaders at governance meetings. Present key findings and research progress at top-tier scientific conferences. Partner with Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies Translational Sciences to develop and transfer assays for characterizing immune responses in future clinical trials. Oversee and maintain accountability for partnerships with third parties, including academic institutions and biotech collaborators. Evaluate external science and partnering opportunities in collaboration with Business Development and the extended scientific team to expand the bacterial vaccine pipeline. Engage regularly with intellectual property attorneys to define and refine IP strategy for early-stage programs. Build and foster effective relationships with senior leaders across Research, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Clinical and Translational Medicine, and Global Project Teams to ensure cross-functional alignment. Ensure clear and objective communication of results, associated risks, uncertainties, and limitations across all projects and teams within the function. Define training and development opportunities for junior colleagues in line with best practices and scientific principles. Qualifications PhD in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline, with 8+ years of industry experience. Proven leadership experience managing a team of junior scientists (PhD and non-PhD level). Strong track record in bacterial vaccine research and/or bacterial pathogenesis. Demonstrated experience leading efforts to characterize immune responses and protective efficacy of vaccine antigens in small animal disease models. Familiarity with functional immunological assays, such as opsonophagocytic killing assays and serum bactericidal assays, used to measure vaccine-elicited immune responses. Cross-functional collaboration experience, successfully delivering research and development programs in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting. Experience supporting or leading interdisciplinary vaccine discovery or development programs from early research through candidate selection. Proven ability to develop and manage budgets for research programs and external partnerships. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong business analysis and consultancy capabilities. The annual base pay for this position ranges from $172,466.40 - $258,699.60. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors. Date Posted 22-Jun-2026 Closing Date 05-Jul-2026 Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form. AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company. We focus on discovering, developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth and development for all. Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking. We're curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We're driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you'll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you'll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day. This is your life at AstraZeneca.