What AstraZeneca PLC Is Looking For In Hiring Scientists And Execs
December 4, 2014
By Mark Terry, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff
In many ways AstraZeneca is a company that needs no introduction. Headquartered in London, England, the global biopharmaceutical company operates in more than 100 countries. It describes itself as one of only a handful of “pure-play” biopharmaceutical companies, meaning that they cover the entire value chain from discovery, early- and late-stage development to manufacturing and distribution. In addition, AstraZeneca is involved in the worldwide globalization of primary care and specialty care. In 2013 the company reported $25.7 billion in sales.
BioSpace: What is your company looking for in hiring scientists and executives?
Sutherland: At AstraZeneca, we are building a culture that is science and patient-focused, agile and high-performing—and which we believe will help us to attract, develop and retain great people. So, a passion for science is highly regarded, as well as a fundamental knowledge of the life sciences industry, the evolving healthcare landscape and the patient perspective.
In addition, ours is a dynamic and challenging business environment. As such, we’re looking for people who not only feel positive and enthusiastic about the important work we’re doing here at AstraZeneca to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, but who are also confident in their ability to meet challenges and seize opportunities. Ours is a culture of collaboration and smart risk taking, so we want people who can work autonomously, with integrity, and with accountability to take and implement decisions with pace and support.
With some 51,500 employees in over 100 countries, we have a workforce with a diverse range of perspectives, talents and ideas. For a business founded on innovation, this is a source of great strength. Understanding the different needs and perspectives of our stakeholders is central to how we do business and ultimately how we create medicines that society values. So it is vital that the diversity of the communities we serve is reflected in our workforce and in our leadership teams.
BioSpace: What specific advice can you offer to those seeking employment at your company?
We encourage those who are interested in working for our company to ask questions and learn as much as they can about our company before, throughout and beyond the interview process. Science is at the heart of everything we do, and science is about asking questions and challenging the status quo. Innovations only arise when we explore the seemingly impossible and question what can and can’t be done.
This is an exciting time to join AstraZeneca as we have a thriving portfolio and pipeline. We are currently recruiting and building additional capability at our three global strategic R&D centers (Gaithersburg, MD; Cambridge, UK; and Mölndal, Sweden). This is a fantastic opportunity for us to bring on new talent and fresh ideas as we continue in our efforts to make AstraZeneca a great place to work, and to ultimately improve the lives of millions of patients around the world.
BioSpace: What do you see the areas of biggest need being in the next 3-5 years?
Sutherland: We conduct our research across three continents and we invest more than $4 billion each year in the discovery and development of the next generation of innovative medicines targeting unmet needs. We require the talent that will help us achieve the full potential of our unique combination of discovery and development strengths in small molecules, biologics, immunotherapies and protein engineering.
We invest in distinctive science in three core therapy areas where we believe we can make the most meaningful difference to patients: oncology; cardiovascular and metabolic disease; and respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity. We are also active in infection, neuroscience and gastrointestinal disease areas.
We build on our own capabilities by accessing great science, wherever it exists. We collaborate with world-renowned scientists and academic institutions and partner with like-minded science-led companies that contribute complementary technologies, know-how and molecules.
We anticipate additional opportunities in the coming years to support our collaborative efforts, including within our Innovative Medicines and Early Development group, focused on driving scientific advances in small molecules, RNA and other emerging technologies and drug discovery platforms to push the boundaries of medical science, from initial target selection through to the end of Phase 2 trials.
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