Integrative Science Lead

Integrative Science Lead

About Astellas

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. Learn more at Astellas.com.

Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?

We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Purpose & Scope

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.

Role and 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.

Primary role - Serving as the Integrative Science liaison and cross-functional point of contact, such as:

• 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.
• Apply 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:

• Work closely with IS functional leaders and SMEs to align scientific strategy, study planning, data generation, documentation, and regulatory support.
• Help 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.
• Work 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.
• Facilitate 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.
• Support issue identification, escalation, and resolution when scientific, operational, or documentation needs span multiple IS functions.
• Address issues and answer 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.
• As needed, present IS data, interpretations, key messages, risks, and recommendations to internal customers, program teams, and cross-functional governance forums.
• Communicate rapidly and effectively to management when program direction, emerging data, resource needs, risks, or cross-functional issues require awareness, alignment, or decision-making.
• Ensure that IS perspectives are appropriately represented in portfolio planning, prioritization discussions, process improvement efforts, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing, process consistency, and strong collaboration across IS and with external partner functions.
• Represent Integrative Science in ongoing improvements in cross-functional and global collaborations, operational workflows, and sharing of best practices and knowledge.

Maintain strong working relationships with Research Leads, stakeholders, and colleagues across IS and partner functions.

Supporting integrated IS planning and delivery across functional areas:

• Partner with Bioanalytical colleagues to understand needs related to biodistribution, exposure, immunogenicity, biomarker, and assay-related activities.
• Partner with Cytogenomics colleagues to connect genomic testing, lot release, mechanism-of-disease, exploratory marker, and platform capability needs with project and organizational priorities.
• Partner with Preclinical Development colleagues to align pharmacology, safety, biodistribution, and IND-enabling study needs with broader program strategy.
• Partner with Study Management to ensure study planning, CRO coordination, monitoring, timelines, and documentation needs are visible and integrated.
• Partner with Preclinical Writing to support clear handoffs, key message development, document planning, and consistency of IS input into regulatory and internal documents.