Associate Director Product Development – Esobiotec - AstraZeneca group

Associate Director – Product Development – Esobiotec AstraZeneca group

Are you ready to lead innovative preclinical research and advance breakthrough cell therapies to the clinic?

As a proud new member of the AstraZeneca family, Esobiotec continues to set new standards in pioneering biotechnological research. With a shared vision to transform the future of medicine, our partnership leverages AstraZeneca’s global reach and rich heritage in scientific innovation, amplifying Esobiotec’s unique culture of creativity and breakthrough advances in cell-based therapies and immunology. At Esobiotec, now backed by the resources and expertise of one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, you’ll find a dynamic, collaborative environment where scientific passion drives real-world impact. Be part of a team where your work will contribute to shaping the next generation of life-changing treatments and help us push the boundaries of science to improve patients’ lives worldwide.

We are looking for an associate Director – Product Development, to be based in Mont-Saint-Guibert (Belgium).  In this role, you'll drive strategic research initiatives, support regulatory submissions, mentor dedicated scientists, and foster a culture of scientific rigor, inclusion, and continuous learning—paving the way for impactful clinical programs and real-world patient benefit.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and coordinate diverse preclinical research initiatives, paving the way for impactful Investigator Initiated Trials (IIT) and IND-enabling programs.
• Act as a key scientific partner to our Regulatory Affairs team, actively shaping preclinical strategies and supporting the preparation, authoring, and review of vital regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams in process development, manufacturing, and discovery—bringing together multidisciplinary expertise to advance our vector preclinical IIT and IND-enabling studies.
• Partner with contract research organizations (CROs) and internal stakeholders to design and review robust preclinical study plans, ensuring data integrity that drives successful clinical progress.
• Anticipate and address regulatory and scientific challenges, developing and implementing effective risk mitigation strategies while contributing to long-term planning for preclinical programs.
• Mentor and empower scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and scientific excellence as you help shape experimental plans and build our preclinical IIT and IND capabilities.
• Recruit, nurture, and support the development of talented team members, ensuring our programs are driven by scientific rigor and an inclusive, supportive workplace culture.

What You’ll Bring

• An MSc (with at least 15 years of industry experience) or PhD (with at least 10 years of experience) in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a related field, demonstrating commitment to scientific excellence.
• A strong track record of successfully leading and managing preclinical teams, including hands-on oversight of preclinical studies for IND-enabling programs in cell and gene therapies.
• Solid knowledge of regulatory requirements for preclinical development, ensuring compliance and scientific integrity at every stage.
• Advanced skills in interpreting and analyzing complex data, with the ability to translate findings into clear, actionable insights and well-crafted regulatory documentation.
• Proven leadership and project management expertise, excelling in cross-functional collaboration, efficient timeline management, and confident decision-making—even under pressure.
• Outstanding communication skills in English, both written and verbal, with experience preparing regulatory documents, internal reports, and delivering impactful scientific presentations.
• A collaborative, resourceful, and proactive approach, with a passion for mentoring colleagues and building high-performing, mission-driven teams to advance cutting-edge therapeutics.

Desirable skills:

• Gene Therapy experience
• Previous direct interactions with regulatory agencies (pre-IND as for ex.) is nice to have

At AstraZeneca Group, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of science to transform the lives of patients living with cancer. Our diverse team collaborates seamlessly, drawing on collective wisdom from across the globe to tackle the toughest medical challenges. With one of the broadest Oncology pipelines in the industry, we offer unparalleled opportunities to work with novel drugs and innovative approaches. Empowered by courage and curiosity, we take smart risks and challenge norms to make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.

So, what is next:

Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our mission-driven team !

Welcome with your application, in English, latest by the 15/07/2025

To find out more:

Company site: https://www.esobiotec.com/

Group site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/

Our social media, Follow us on LinkedIn: Esobiotec and AstraZeneca

Inclusion & Diversity: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/inclusion-diversity

Career site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/

Date Posted

01-juli-2025

Closing Date

15-juli-2025

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.