Company Profile:

At AstraZeneca's Oncology Business Unit, we’re all here to make an impact – to achieve our bold ambition of eliminating cancer as a cause of death. We relentlessly follow the science, challenging the status quo to deliver more effective treatments to patients in need. Our dedication means we purposefully push back the limits of knowledge to change the practice of medicine. To ensure no patient is left behind, no matter what stage of disease. We’re brave disruptors – entrepreneurial, adventurous and pioneering in our approach. Here you have the opportunity to step up, take personal accountability and lead changes in our ever-evolving environment.

Job description:

Job Title - Lead Consultant - Emerging Technology

Career Level - E

 

Leverage technology to impact patients and ultimately save lives

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, information technology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the IT strategy in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

 

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work.

 

ABOUT OUR IT TEAM

It’s a dynamic and results-oriented environment to work in – but that’s why we like it. There are countless opportunities to learn and grow, whether that’s exploring new technologies in hackathons, or redefining the roles and work of colleagues, forever. Shape your own path, with support all the way. Diverse minds that work cross- functionally and broadly together.

 

About the role

 

Join AstraZeneca as an Emerging Technology Engineer, where you'll be at the epicentre of innovation in a role that's anything but routine. We're looking for someone who thrives in an ever-changing environment, eager to master the latest tech trends and drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. 

 

In this role, you'll bring emerging technologies to life, crafting captivating experiences and presentations to illuminate their potential for our strategic leaders in hands on immersive experiences. Your mission will be to not only identify and test the next big technologies within a 3-5 year horizon, but also to pave the way for their integration into AstraZeneca's future landscape. 

You'll be at the forefront of a 'show, don't just tell' philosophy, requiring a hands-on approach as you create Proof of Concept projects and collaborate with a diverse network of partners, from academic institutions to tech titans. You'll lean in as needed to deliver, using your own passion for learning as a driver. This role does not come with an instruction manual, you will be shaping and defining that for the rest of the organisation. This gives you a unique vantage point, accessing revolutionary technologies ahead of the curve. 

More than a creator of prototypes, you'll deliver thought leadership by translating intricate tech concepts into strategic insights, shaping the direction of our investments. When new technologies emerge, you'll be the architect of the capabilities needed to harness their power for our business. 

We're seeking a curious, tech-savvy professionals with the skills to build proofs of concepts and the boldness to tackle the unknown. If you're ready to dive into a world of exploration and have a direct impact on AstraZeneca's technological journey, step into a role that's as exciting as it is vital. 

 

What you will be doing (outputs) 
Thought Leadership: Deliver thought-provoking and informative guidance on new and emerging technologies through immersive demonstrations and workshops. Enrich the research arm of the team with your technical expertise, contributing to the development of positioning statements and white papers. 

Trailblaze New Technologies: Innovate and construct bespoke Proof-of-Concept systems to illustrate the art of the possible. Influence senior strategic leaders with hands-on experiences that go beyond third-party narratives, demonstrating the value proposition of technologies from a foundation of first-hand knowledge. Embrace experimentation, understanding that learning from failed PoCs is an essential step towards success. 

Labs and Infrastructure Management: Take charge of the Tech Innovation infrastructure, including cloud accounts, sandboxes, source control, license servers, and more. Champion the opportunities that arise from the labs while ensuring the physical lab space and equipment are available, well-maintained, and secure. 

Strategic Translation: In close collaboration with research colleagues, partner with Business Technology Groups (BTGs) and Enterprise Architects to assess how new technologies can be woven into existing workflows. Where there is no existing capability, you will assist in paving the way for its creation. 

Technical Expertise: As the Senior Emerging Technology Engineer at AstraZeneca, you will be the bedrock of expertise for new and emerging technological trends. Strategic leaders will depend on your insights and comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies to navigate critical business decisions. You will be tasked with keeping abreast of the latest tech developments and proactively engaging with strategic leaders to ensure technology adoption aligns with business objectives. 

 

Skills and competencies 

• Software Engineering Expertise: Proficiency in architecting and programming Proof of Concept (PoC) projects is essential, utilising both familiar tech stacks and exploring new frameworks and libraries that might better mesh with new technologies. The role demands the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within larger teams. 

• Strategic Storytelling: Storytelling skills are crucial for effectively translating complex technical concepts and visionary ideas into simple, impactful narratives that resonate with senior executives. 

• Influence & Collaboration: Ability to work with external partners to influence outcomes and deliver timely product innovations. The capacity to articulate intricate technical details in a clear manner that is easily understandable by senior strategic leaders as well as your colleagues in teams like Enterprise Architecture. 

• Agility in Ambiguity: The ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritise a demanding workload, and thrive in a dynamic environment. 

• Innovation Enthusiasm: A fervent desire to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the innovation landscape. A genuine eagerness to engage directly with technologies, coupled with the drive and ability to rapidly learn new skills. 

• Proven Implementation Track Record: Validated experience in delivering and deploying solutions within Continuous Development lifecycles. 

• Curiosity & Initiative: An inquisitive mindset with a proactive approach where you are comfortable being uncomfortable. A willingness to take on new challenges and experiment in areas where you lack experience. 

 

• Experience and Qualifications 

  We understand that innovation, particularly with emerging technologies, doesn't come from a one-size-fits-all approach. The role of an Emerging Technology Engineer is multifaceted and ever-evolving. While we value technical acumen, we place a greater emphasis on finding the right candidate with a proactive, problem-solving attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt. We encourage applications from those who may not tick every box but are passionate about technology and its potential to drive change. 

   

  Programming Proficiency: Strong programming skills with experience with multiple languages including but not limited to C#, Python, and JavaScript. Exposure to additional languages such as C++, Java, Go, Rust, etc., is advantageous. This is a hands-on role and you will be expected to be able to build solutions. 

  Cloud Expertise: Proven knowledge or experience with cloud computing and services such as AWS, GCP, or Azure. 

  Database Experience: Experience with various databases, both relational and NoSQL, as well as newer technologies such as graph databases. 

  Emerging technology exposure: Exposure to or experience in areas such as data science, real-time 3D, AR/VR/XR, computer vision, AI, robotics, quantum computing, etc. 

  Project Experience: Proof of independent project development as well as collaborative team efforts, with a good understanding of source control and project management methodologies. 

  Educational Background: A degree in software engineering, computer science OR equivalent years of relevant professional experience. 

  Certification: AWS Associate or Professional certifications (Architect, Developer) or equivalent GCP/Azure certifications are desirable. 

   

WHY JOIN US?

We’re a network of high-reaching self-starters who contribute to something far bigger. We enable AstraZeneca to perform at its peak by delivering premier technology and data solutions.

We’re not afraid to take ownership and run with it. Empowered with unrivalled freedom. Put simply, it’s because we make a significant impact. Everything we do matters.