Introduction to Role:The Sr Director/Head of Clinical Data Science provides strategic and operational leadership for data science, bioinformatics, and AI/ML functions within the Rare Disease Unit. It drives innovation in clinical development by integrating multi-omics, imaging, and digital health data into unified analytical platforms, establishing robust AI and data governance, and aligning data science strategy with organisational R&D priorities. It owns the future direction of mechanism-centered disease modelling and translational AI within Alexion and sets the vision for the application of innovative statistical and bioinformatics methods.

Accountabilities:

• Providing strategic leadership for clinical data science, bioinformatics, and AI/ML initiatives across the Rare Disease portfolio, ensuring alignment with R&D objectives.

• Leading the development of Clinical Data Science strategy within Alexion, contributing to the enterprise-wide data science and AI strategy, and contributing to the Alexion Quantitative Sciences strategy.

• Building and scaling a high-performing cross-functional team spanning AI, bioinformatics, and translational medicine, accelerating study design and data-driven decision-making.

• Establishing and coordinating AI and data governance frameworks aligned with regulatory standards (FDA, 21 CFR Part 11, CDISC, GxP), reducing compliance risk across clinical programs.

• Driving the integration of clinical, omics, imaging, and commercial data into unified analytical platforms, enabling sophisticated analytics and knowledge generation.

• Leading biomarker discovery and validation efforts across multi-omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, genomics) to support patient stratification and therapeutic advancement.

• Developing and maintaining data infrastructure - data lakes, knowledge graphs, and wearables pipelines - to create sustainable, scalable capabilities for rare disease research.

• Partnering with translational medicine and clinical teams to design innovative Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept strategies incorporating omics and digital health technologies.

• Being responsible for the identification and prioritisation of therapeutic targets through AI-enabled clinical and imaging approaches, advancing candidates to IND.

• Championing the adoption of digital health solutions, including wearables and imaging, as exploratory and registrational endpoints in clinical trials.

• Integrating multi-omics datasets into pharmacokinetic (PK) models, improving prediction accuracy and strengthening dose-response insights for rare disease programs.

• Applying AI/ML and omics-driven disease clustering to guide indication prioritisation and drug re purposing opportunities, expanding pipeline value in rare and metabolic diseases.

• Serving as a senior leader representing Clinical Data Science in internal governance forums and external collaborations, shaping the strategic direction of data-driven rare disease R&D.

• Planning and managing complex departmental budget, including forecasting for quarterly, annual, and multi-year cycles, and input to the Strategic Planning process.

• Leading portfolio-level data science capacity management for the R&D unit and contributing to or leading Alexion Quantitative Sciences pivotal initiatives.

Do you have a Master’s degree?, * PhD or master’s degree

• Data Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience

• Minimum 10 years of pharmaceutical or biotech experience

• Experience in a Data Science, Bioinformatics, or AI/ML function

• Minimum 6 years managing direct reports in a global setting

• Experience integrating multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) in drug development and conducting analyses in R, Python, and relevant software

• Deep expertise in AI/ML methods and their application to clinical and translational medicine

• Experience integrating multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) in drug development

• Thorough knowledge of regulatory standards: FDA, 21 CFR Part 11, CDISC, GxP

• Demonstrated ability to influence strategically and build cross-functional partnerships

• Track record of leading AI and data governance in regulated pharmaceutical environments

• Experience successfully leading global, cross-functional teams

• Strong eye for business and experience influencing and managing budgets

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with rare disease drug development and patient stratification strategies

• Familiarity with knowledge graphs, graph ML, and mechanism-centered disease representation

• Experience with wearables, digital biomarkers, and imaging as clinical endpoints

• Experience with indication expansion and AI-driven drug re-purposing programs

• Broad experience across multiple therapeutic areas beyond rare diseases

• Experience managing significant organisational change and scaling data science functions

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Dental insurance, * Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn
• Follow Alexion on LinkedIn
• Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook
• Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram
• Learn more about Alexion at www.alexion.com

At Alexion, you will find a collaborative culture that encourages innovation and a diverse environment where your contributions are valued. You will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of rare disease research and make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.Ready to lead and inspire? and take the first step towards a fulfilling career at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

Total Rewards:

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $212,994 to $319,492. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Alexion 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. Alexion is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.

LI-Hybrid

At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation - ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe.

Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026. Find out more information here: Kendall Square Press Release