Senior Director/ Executive Director, Safety Science 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 .

As we expand our footprint in China, we are seeking a   senior   leader to build and scale local Safety Sciences capabilities and integrate   innovation from the local   life-science ecosystem .

This role will lead the Safety Sciences team in China while also providing visible local leadership across the wider   Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences ( CPSS )   organization and ensuring strong alignment with global strategy, priorities, and ways of working.   You will lead a high ‑ performing team ,   deliver critical   toxicology strategies, expertise and data to   accelerate   global   drug discovery and development   project s ,   establish durable partnerships with   CROs,   top   academic   institutes , and biotech   in China ,   channel cutting ‑ edge methods (advanced cell models, NAMs, AI/analytics, omics, Dx safety) to modernize toxicology and enhance translational   safety   decision ‑ making.

Job description

- CPSS China leadership: Serve as the China Site Head   for Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences (CPSS) , providing local leadership and coordination across the broader CPSS organization in China. Act as a key link between the China   (Shanghai and Beijing)   and global CPSS   footprints ,   facilitating   align ment of   local activities, talent, culture, engagement, and operational priorities with broader strategic   objectives . Partner with the CPSS   Leadership Team   and other senior leaders to strengthen visibility, connectivity, and organizational effectiveness in China.

- Deliver effective   toxicology   strategies for   assets developed in China   (internally   and/or   with collaborators ) ,   translating program needs into   testing   strateg ies , study plans, timelines, and decision-making data ,   ensuring preclinical safety input that integrates seamlessly into global development and submissions.

- Oversee   the design, placement, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo toxicology studies, executed with qualified China CROs   – d elivering quality, cycle ‑ time, and cost   objectives   with clear guardrails. You will ensure scientific integrity, translational context, and proactive risk mitigation; author/review study reports and regulatory modules; and support responses to health authorities, upholding GLP/ GxP ‑ like expectations for data integrity and inspection readiness.

- People   and matrix   leadership:   L ead a   high   performing, bilingual team of Toxicologists , Safety Scientists   and Study Monitors .   Foster an inclusive culture, leading across cultural boundaries and time zones , setting local   objectives   aligned with global   expertise   groups,   driving clarity on priorities and accountability .

- As a member of the Safety Sciences Leadership Team,   contribute to global strategic   objectives   to Enhance Human Safety Predictions and Accelerate the Delivery of Candidate Drugs to Patien t s. S erve as the primary Safety Sciences point of contact in the China time zone for cross functional partners, ensuring aligned priorities and seamless integration with global teams. Build credibility and trust with internal governance bodies and external collaborators to accelerate progress.

- Innovation and ecosystem development:   Anticipate   scientific and portfolio trends; scout and pilot China - based innovations (advanced cell models, NAMs, AI/analytics, omics, Discovery safety). Establish collaborations with leading academics, biotech, and preferred CROs, channeling validated approaches into global practice.

- Contributes to internal and external scientific reputation and role model s   demonstration of AZ Values .

Essential skills and experience

- Scientific   excellence, with a P hD in toxicology , pharmacology, pathology, cell   biology   or related life science ,   with a s trong scientific   track record ,   including high impact publications .

- Solid d rug discovery and development   exper ience   from   expert/leadership   roles in   global pharma/biotech   ( or   top ‑ tier   CRO ) ,   leading GLP and   non ‑ GLP   toxicology packages   across the full drug development lifecycle , with strong understanding of   multidisciplinary interfaces, such as   Clinical ,   Regulatory   and   Biology .

- P eople and matrix   leadership   skills :   Demonstrated   experience building high performing teams and coaching/mentoring (senior) scientists .   Proven   ability to lead through a complex global matrix , a ligning stakeholders, influencing, resolving   trade ‑ offs , and driving clarity on priorities, accountability, and decision pathways.

- Stro ng awareness   of work-related   cultural aspects   across China, EU, UK,   US   and a pr oven ability to work and lead across   geographies and   cultural barriers ,   building trust and effective collaboration in a global pharma environment.

- Significant   expertise   in designing and interpreting in vivo toxicology studies , regulatory authorship   and interactions ,   and a   strong   drive for   scientific innovation and   investigative   toxicology   and   discovery safety.

- Excellent c ommunication and influenc ing skills, fluent in English and Mandarin , and   ability to   operate   effectively across time zones.

Desirable

- Modality   experience   across small molecules and large molecules ( radioconjugates , antibody–drug conjugates,   immune   cell engagers ).

- Experience with   private-public collaboration s in   the China   life science   innovation ecosystem (CROs, institutes, startups); piloting NAMs/advanced models; digital/ AI ‑ enabled   study planning; Dx safety capabilities.

- Experience eng a ging with local Health Authorities   (CDE),   including preparation of briefing materials, participation in meetings, and   follow ‑ up   responses ,   and familiarity with China early-phase pathways .

- B oard certification ( e.g.   DABT)   preferred .

Date Posted
03-6月-2026

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.