Director/Associate Director - R&D Discovery Vector Engineering

We are building an integrated discovery-to-development engine that connects vector innovation with translational impact. Join us to shape platform strategy, deliver differentiated candidates, and help patients faster. As a proud new member of the AstraZeneca group, Esobiotec continues to set new standards in pioneering biotechnological research. With a shared vision to transform the future of medicine, our partnership uses AstraZeneca’s global reach and rich heritage in scientific innovation, amplifying Esobiotec’s unique culture of creativity and breakthrough advances in cell-based therapies and immunology. At Esobiotec, now backed by the resources and expertise of one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, you’ll find a dynamic, collaborative environment where scientific passion drives real-world impact. Be part of a team where your work will contribute to shaping the next generation of life-changing treatments and help us push the boundaries of science to improve patients’ lives worldwide. We are seeking a Director/Associate Director to lead discovery and engineering of novel lentiviral vectors (LVV) from concept through preclinical candidate selection. You will refine our discovery strategy, build scalable screening platforms, and integrate developability and CMC thinking from the start. This role is highly cross-functional and product-focused, partnering closely with biological engineering, CAR/TCR discovery, nonclinical, safety, clinical, process development, analytics, and computational teams. Title will be commensurate with experience and demonstrated scope. Location: Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium (office-based position) Reports to: Executive Director, In Vivo Cell Therapy What You’ll Do Discovery Strategy : Support and evolve the discovery strategy for novel LVVs aligned to target product profiles, manufacturability, and clinical use cases. Vector Engineering Leadership : Drive hypothesis-driven engineering from concept to preclinical candidate selection, including envelope/pseudotype, regulatory elements, payload design, and transduction specificity. Innovation Sourcing : Source and prioritize new concepts from literature, IP, conferences, and internal takeaways; establish efficient triage and proof-of-concept workflows. Screening Platforms : Build and scale in vitro and in vivo screening platforms and assays to characterize potency and safety, implementing robust data and analytics workflows. Product Translation : Translate indication/product requirements into vector design criteria; collaborate with biological engineering, CAR/TCR discovery, nonclinical, safety, and clinical to de-risk translation. Developability & CMC : Integrate developability and CMC considerations early with in development to ensure scalability, yield, purity, and stability. Rigor & Decision-Making : Establish experimental rigor, statistical standards, and clear go/no-go criteria to enable reproducible, high-quality decisions. External Leadership : Identify, negotiate, and manage external collaborations and CROs; assess BD and licensing opportunities for vector technologies. IP & FTO : Drive invention disclosures and FTO assessments; contribute to patent drafting and defence for vector innovations. Team Building : Recruit, mentor, and develop discovery scientists; foster a culture of scientific excellence, product focus, urgency, and accountability. Program Ownership : Manage budgets, resources, and timelines across programs/platforms with transparent portfolio reporting and prioritization. Compliance & Representation : Ensure biosafety and ethical research compliance; represent the function in technical reviews, governance, and external forums, raising risks and securing decisions. What You’ll Bring Education : PhD in molecular biology, virology, bioengineering, or related field (or equivalent experience), with postdoctoral or advanced industry training. Experience : 8+ years (Associate Director) or 12+ years (Director) in gene therapy R&D focused on viral vector engineering, preferably LVV. Technical Track Record : Demonstrated success designing, building, and optimizing viral vectors; LVV expertise strongly preferred (AAV or related systems a plus). Product Approach : Clear history of linking vector design to therapeutic product needs, clinical requirements, and manufacturability. CMC Collaboration : Proven partnership with process development/CMC across upstream/downstream production, release testing, and scalability. Leadership : Experience leading small-to-medium discovery teams and matrixed initiatives to timely, high-quality outcomes. Innovation & IP : Evidence of innovation via publications, patents, or internal inventions; facility with FTO analyses and IP strategy. Data Fluency : Proficiency with statistical design and analysis, data visualization, and collaboration with computational teams, including DoE and high-throughput screening. Attributes : Product-focused, decisive, rigorous ; thrives in ambiguity while maintaining quality, compliance, and speed. AstraZeneca offers an environment where learning from diverse teams is encouraged. We blend academia with industry expertise to foster growth and build meaningful careers. Our commitment to science-driven approaches ensures we remain at the forefront of medical advancements. With a focus on collaboration and resilience, we work together towards transformative solutions for patients. So, what is next: Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our mission-driven team ! Welcome with your application, in English, at the latest by the 23rd of January 2026 To find out more: Company site: https://www.esobiotec.com/ Group site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/ Our social media, Follow us on LinkedIn: Esobiotec and AstraZeneca Inclusion & Diversity: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/inclusion-diversity Career site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/ Date Posted 09-Jan-2026 Closing Date 22-Jan-2026 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.