Senior Director, Head of Automation & Innovation

AstraZeneca · Beijing Yizhuang

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Manufacturing OperationsFull-timeCompany career page

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Role summary

AstraZeneca seeks a Senior Director to lead automation strategy and execution for the Beijing Discovery Center, a state-of-the-art automated wet lab integrating AI-driven design with physical robotics. The role combines technical depth in lab automation with hands-on delivery, vendor oversight, and external partnership development across multi-specific antibody, peptide, and oligonucleotide drug discovery workflows.

What they're looking for

PhD in relevant scientific or engineering discipline or equivalent experience
Proven track record implementing automation and robotics in drug discovery with publications
Demonstrable experience with biologics, peptide, and oligonucleotide discovery automation workflows
Ability to both define automation strategy and lead hands-on technical execution
Experience leading technical teams across disciplines, geographies, and cultures
Deep technical fluency in robotics, liquid handling, high-throughput methods, and lab-in-a-loop integration
Experience initiating and delivering value from external technology partnerships

What you'll be doing

Define automation architecture and multi-year technology roadmap for wet lab workflows spanning hit identification through lead optimization
Evaluate emerging automation and robotics technologies globally; set technical standards and integration specifications
Lead technical design, vendor evaluation, and specification of automated workflows from concept to delivery
Build and lead scaling automation technical team; recruit and develop specialist talent
Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with academic institutions and automation innovators in China's ecosystem

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Date posted5 days ago

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