Senior Director, Protein Characterization at AstraZeneca in New Haven, Connecticut

Job Description:

This is what you will do:


This Senior Director of Product Characterization, which is part of the Analytical Development & Quality Control group which is one fuctional group of Product Development and Clinical Supply team, leads Alexion's efforts to support new molecule manufacturability assessments and characterization of its biotherapeutics by physical and chemical means. This position will manage and oversee extensive product and impurity characterization and degradation pathway analysis for Alexion's non-clinical, clinical and commercial stage products. This position supports CMC by providing characterization summaries and comparability assessment/evaluation reports. This position leads the support efforts for Alexion's Research, Cell Culture, Purification, Quality Control/Quality Assurance and Manufacturing with techniques available in protein characterizations, comparability, force degratiodation and CQA determination core facility.



You will be responsible for:

• Lead physicochemical characterization efforts for all stages of products
  
  


• Establish phase-appropriate product degradation pathways for Alexion's drug candidates
  
  


• Design and execute product comparability assessment and comparability evaluation in a phase appropriate manner to support process changes
  
  


• Design and execute product force degradation in a phase appropriate manner to support comparability and fullfill regulatory requirement.
  
  


• Perform CQA assessment to ensure the desired product quality and support analytical control strategy
  
  


• Lead product and impurity characterization for Alexion's drug substance and drug product. Alexion's product characterization laboratories are equipped with state-of-art instruments.
  
  


• Provide characterization support to Research groups within Alexion
  
  


• Provide reference standard characterization analysis for commercial or early stage products
  
  


• Maintain appropriate compliance within area of responsibility with regards to current SOPs, instrument qualifications and training.
  
  


• Represent the area functions as required during audits by agencies and internal/external auditors
  
  


• Establish systems within area of responsibility to ensure compliance, good lab practices and work
  
  

You will need to have:

• Strong protein characterization skills are required demonstrated expertise in a wide range of protein analysis is required
  
  


• Experience and expertise in complying with CMC requirements in product characterization is required
  
  


• In depth understanding of protein degradation pathways is a must
  
  

• In depth understanding of product comparability assessment and evaluation is required
  
  


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross functional teams are required.
  
  


• Demonstrates proficient cross-company communication, cultural sensitivity, and partnership in interactions with others.
  
  


• Extensive experience in drafting and reviewing relevant CMC sections for regulatory filing is required.
  
  


• Experience in corresponding with regulatory authorities is required
  
  


• Ability to represent Alexion Pharmaceutical's interests, objectives and policies in a responsible manner is required
  
  


• Explore and assess new analytical tools and enhance the internal toolbox for protein characterization.
  
  


• Identify and Lead Technical development initiatives to expand the Group's capabilities
  
  


• Act as a champion and represent the ADQC team in project team meetings and participate in data presentations and cross-functional collaborations with the opportunity to serve as mentor of project leads
  
  


• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills are a must. A minimum of 8 years' management experience in a relevant function is required.
  
  


• A PhD in biochemistry or related disciplines with a minimum of 15 years' work experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry is required
  
  

We would prefer for you to have:

• Compliance experience in characterization laboratories and analytical area is preferred
  
  

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. Apply Now