Integrative Science Lead

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need.

About the role

In this role as an Integrative Science Lead within Cell and Gene Therapy Research, you will serve as a central liaison and go-to representative for Integrative Science across company initiatives, program teams, governance forums, and cross-functional working groups. You will help identify where Integrative Science expertise is needed, ensure the right IS functions are engaged at the right time, and translate cross-functional needs into clear activities, deliverables, ownership, and resource considerations within IS, by working closely with line leaders.

Responsibilities

The role requires a strong communicator and collaborative leader who can see the big picture, connect scientific and operational details across functions, and rapidly communicate key issues, risks, decisions, and recommendations. The role will bridge Bioanalytical, Cytogenomics, Preclinical Development, Study Management, and Preclinical Writing to support integrated planning, execution, interpretation, documentation, and communication of nonclinical and translational activities across the CGT portfolio, while maintaining close working relationships with Research Leads and other internal customers.

• Serving as the Integrative Science liaison and cross-functional point of contact:
  • Representing Integrative Science in company initiatives, program teams, cross-functional forums, and strategic planning discussions.
  • Identifying when and where Integrative Science input is needed and ensuring the appropriate IS subject matter experts are engaged early and effectively.
  • Translating program, asset team, regulatory, CMC, clinical, and organizational needs into clear IS activities, deliverables, timelines, and decision points.
  • Connecting activities across Bioanalytical, Cytogenomics, Preclinical Development, Study Management, and Preclinical Writing to ensure aligned, efficient, and scientifically coherent execution.
  • Maintaining visibility into IS commitments across programs and initiatives and helping prioritize activities based on scientific importance, development stage, timelines, and business impact.
  • Applying big-picture thinking to connect scientific, operational, regulatory, and portfolio considerations and anticipate downstream implications for IS and partner functions.
• Acting as the Integrative Science integration specialist and operational bridge:
  • Working closely with IS functional leaders and SMEs to align scientific strategy, study planning, data generation, documentation, and regulatory support.
  • Helping define the scope, timing, ownership, and resourcing of IS contributions to project plans, governance materials, regulatory submissions, health authority interactions, and internal decision-making packages.
  • Working with IS functional leaders and Research Leads to identify, justify, and secure unplanned or budgetary needs that arise due to changing program priorities, timelines, or strategic direction.
  • Facilitating effective communication between IS and partner groups including Research Leads, Program/Project Management, Early Development and Translational Sciences, Regulatory, CMC, Clinical, and Asset Teams, while maintaining close working relationships with Research Leads across programs.
  • Supporting issue identification, escalation, and resolution when scientific, operational, or documentation needs span multiple IS functions.
  • Addressing issues and answering questions related to data generated by any IS group, including helping connect stakeholders with the appropriate subject matter experts when deeper functional interpretation is needed.
  • Presenting IS data, interpretations, key messages, risks, and recommendations to internal customers, program teams, and cross-functional governance forums as needed.
  • Communicating rapidly and effectively to management when program direction, emerging data, resource needs, risks, or cross-functional issues require awareness, alignment, or decision-making.
  • Ensuring that IS perspectives are appropriately represented in portfolio planning, prioritization discussions, process improvement efforts, and cross-functional initiatives.
  • Contributing to knowledge sharing, process consistency, and strong collaboration across IS and with external partner functions.
  • Representing Integrative Science in ongoing improvements in cross-functional and global collaborations, operational workflows, and sharing of best practices and knowledge.
  • Maintaining strong working relationships with Research Leads, stakeholders, and colleagues across IS and partner functions.
• Supporting Integrated IS Planning And Delivery Across Functional Areas:
  • Partnering with Bioanalytical colleagues to understand needs related to biodistribution, exposure, immunogenicity, biomarker, and assay-related activities.
  • Partnering with Cytogenomics colleagues to connect genomic testing, lot release, mechanism-of-disease, exploratory marker, and platform capability needs with project and organizational priorities.
  • Partnering with Preclinical Development colleagues to align pharmacology, safety, biodistribution, and IND-enabling study needs with broader program strategy.
  • Partnering with Study Management to ensure study planning, CRO coordination, monitoring, timelines, and documentation needs are visible and integrated.
  • Partnering with Preclinical Writing to support clear handoffs, key message development, document planning, and consistency of IS input into regulatory and internal documents.

Requirements

• Relevant experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research and development, with strong knowledge of cell and gene therapy and preferred experience in biologics, rare disease, ophthalmology, neuromuscular, CNS, or related areas.
• Understanding of nonclinical development and the activities required to support candidate nomination, IND/CTA preparation, regulatory interactions, and clinical-stage program support.
• Working knowledge of one or more Integrative Science areas such as bioanalytical sciences, cytogenomics/genomics, preclinical development, study management, or nonclinical/preclinical writing.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed environment and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and operational information into clear messages for diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to see the big picture while also understanding the scientific and operational details needed to drive appropriate action, prioritization, and decision-making.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables across programs and initiatives.
• Established record of being proactive, collaborative, accountable, composed under pressure, and able to deliver high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline; PhD degree preferred.

Location and Working Environment

This position is based in AIRM – Westborough, MA and will require on-site work.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

Pay

Salary Range $145,460-$207,800 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations.)