Director, Project Toxicologist, Safety Sciences China

At AstraZeneca, we push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. Our global Safety Sciences organization delivers innovative non-clinical safety science and toxicology expertise to enable the discovery, development and registration of novel medicines.  

We are seeking a highly motivated Director, Project Toxicologist, to join our Safety Sciences China group. This role will bring non-clinical safety expertise and effective discovery and regulatory toxicology strategies to deliver new candidate drug projects (internally and/or with collaborators), ensuring local preclinical safety input that integrates seamlessly into global development and submissions. 

You will partner with global cross-functional teams across therapeutic areas and modalities (small molecules, radio-conjugates, immune-cell engagers, antibody–drug conjugates, peptides, etc). 

Job description 

• Lead regulatory and investigative toxicology study design, developing strategies to predict, assess, and mitigate target- and modality-related safety risks. 

• Apply your toxicology expertise to predict clinical safety risks and, as core member of drug project teams, support data-driven decisions across discovery and development programs. 

• Provide strategic toxicology input for in-licensing evaluations and external collaborations. 

• Communicate integrated risk assessments to governance bodies and contribute to regulatory submissions. 

• Maintain and expand expertise in regulatory standards, preclinical safety, and modality-specific safety science, staying ahead of industry trends. 

• Innovate at the intersection of regulatory toxicology and cutting-edge science, leveraging in vitro, in silico, in vivo, and emerging technologies like organ-on-chip, imaging, and omics, and contribute to internal and external scientific reputation through internal and external collaborations, publications, and thought leadership. 

• Role model demonstration of AZ Values. 

Essential skills and experience 

• PhD and/or DABT in Toxicology, Pharmacology, Cell Biology, Pathology or related field, with a strong scientific track record (or another university degree with relevant work experience). 

• Robust experience in Project Toxicology, Investigative Toxicology, or related non-clinical safety-focused roles in pharma, biotech, or CRO environments. 

• Deep understanding of drug discovery and development, with proven ability to deliver toxicology programs supporting IND filings. 

• Expertise across small and large molecule modalities and relevant therapeutic areas (e.g. Oncology, Cardiovascular, Metabolism, Immunology, Respiratory). 

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills to inform decisions across scientific and regulatory teams. Fluency in English and Mandarin is essential. Strong awareness of work-related cultural aspects across China, EU, UK, US and a proven ability to work across geographies and cultural barriers, building trust and effective collaboration in a global pharma environment. 

• Skilled in using in vitro, in silico, and in vivo tools to predict clinical safety risks. 

• Collaborative, problem-solving mindset with the ability to coordinate and prioritize across multiple projects. 

Date Posted

Closing Date

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.