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Astra Zeneca
Cambridge, Massachusetts · Hybrid

Medical Director, Senior Patient Safety Physician

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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Posted 30m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Location: Kendal Square, Boston

Hybrid: 3 days a week on site

Medical Director, Senior Safety Physician

We are seeking an experienced physician to provide medical leadership for clinical safety and benefit-risk management across the lifecycle of assigned products and development programs. This role is accountable for shaping and executing safety strategy, evaluating emerging safety data, and ensuring the effective communication of safety information to internal and external stakeholders.

Working within a global, cross-functional environment, you will collaborate with experts across Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Epidemiology, Safety Science, Risk Management, and Medical Affairs to protect patient safety and support the successful development and commercialization of innovative medicines.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Safety Leadership

  • Lead the clinical safety strategy for assigned products and programs.
  • Drive medical evaluation of safety data and benefit-risk assessments.
  • Provide expert input into risk identification, characterization, and mitigation activities.
  • Influence safety-related decisions within project teams and governance forums.

Safety Surveillance and Risk Management

  • Provide medical oversight of signal detection, safety surveillance, and risk evaluation activities.
  • Lead interpretation of safety data from clinical trials, post-marketing experience, literature, and other relevant sources.
  • Contribute to risk management planning and the development of appropriate risk minimization strategies.
  • Ensure alignment of safety strategy with development and lifecycle objectives.

Regulatory Safety and Governance

  • Lead and review key regulatory safety deliverables, including DSURs, PBRERs, PADERs, safety responses, and other global submissions.
  • Support major regulatory submissions and interactions with health authorities.
  • Present safety assessments and recommendations to governance committees and senior stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Serve as the Patient Safety representative in clinical project teams.
  • Build effective partnerships across Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Safety Science, Medical Affairs, and other key functions.
  • Support due diligence, licensing, and business development activities when required.

Mentor colleagues and contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

  • Essential Requirements
  • Medical Degree (MD, MBBS, or equivalent).
  • Clinical practice experience following medical qualification.

Significant experience in Clinical Safety/Pharmacovigilance within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

Strong knowledge of benefit-risk assessment, risk management, signal detection, and global pharmacovigilance regulations.

Experience preparing or reviewing global regulatory safety documents and submissions.

Proven ability to influence and lead within a matrix environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced training in Pharmaceutical Medicine or a related discipline.
  • Experience across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of product development.
  • Experience mentoring or leading safety professionals.
  • What Success Looks Like
  • Sound medical judgement and strategic thinking.
  • Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to communicate complex safety information clearly and effectively.
  • Passion for advancing patient safety and delivering medicines responsibly.
  • 15-Oct-2026
  • 14-Dec-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a medical degree (MD, MBBS, or equivalent) and possess significant experience in clinical safety or pharmacovigilance within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. Strong expertise in global regulatory safety documentation and the ability to influence within a matrix environment are essential.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
10+ years of experience

Key Skills

DSURPBRERPADER

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Astra Zeneca holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 72/100, 28 active listings.

Medical Affairs pay on WeekdayDoc is down 2.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

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  • Hybrid
  • Remote