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Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

This position is based in Cambridge, MA. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Scope:

The External Innovation Partner plays a key role in bridging Astellas’ internal Oncology Research with the dynamic external scientific ecosystem. Reporting to the Head of CI&RPM, this role is responsible for proactively identifying emerging science, novel technologies, academic research, and biotech innovation with the potential to inform and shape Astellas' oncology research strategy.

This individual acts as a strategic connector, providing early, strategic, pre-deal insights into external opportunities that align with internal priorities. The role partners closely with Modality Intelligence Leads, Research Strategy Leads, Innovation Intelligence Analysts, and Business Development, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and the incorporation of external perspectives into research planning and prioritization.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

External Ecosystem Engagement:

+ Cultivate and maintain strong connections with global academic centers, biotech hubs, incubators, and scientific consortia.

+ Represent Astellas Oncology Research at major scientific conferences, innovation forums, and academic meetings to uncover early-stage opportunities.

+ Actively track and engage with scientific communities driving innovation in oncology, immuno-oncology, and modality technologies.

Scientific Opportunity Identification & Strategic Insight:

+ Monitor emerging trends, novel platforms, and groundbreaking discoveries across oncology and related disciplines.

+ Identify high-impact science and technologies with potential to shape the future of Astellas’ research portfolio.

+ Translate early-stage innovation signals into pre-transactional strategic insights that support research prioritization, portfolio planning, and exploratory evaluations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Knowledge Integration:

+ Collaborate closely with Research Strategy Leads, Modality Intelligence Leads, and Innovation Intelligence Analysts to ensure insights are shared and acted upon.

+ Partner with Business Development to provide scientific framing and strategic context for external opportunities while maintaining a non-transactional focus.

+ Contribute to the development of intelligence infrastructure and best practices for horizon scanning, opportunity mapping, and external engagement across CI & RPM.

Qualifications

Required:

+ Advanced degree (PhD, MD, MBA, or equivalent) in Oncology, Life Sciences, or a related field.

+ Minimum 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, external innovation, academic collaboration, or scientific partnering.

+ Strong understanding of oncology drug discovery, translational science, and modality platforms (e.g., next gen ADCs, engineered biologics, engineered small molecules).

+ Proven ability to engage with scientific leaders and navigate early-stage biotech and academic ecosystems.

+ Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex scientific information into strategic insights.

+ Prior experience in academic liaison, external innovation, or strategic scouting in pharma/biotech or venture ecosystems.

+ Familiarity with CI platforms, digital literature monitoring tools, and academic/biotech databases.

+ A strong network in academia or biotech focused on oncology or immuno-oncology.

+ Experience in competitive intelligence, scientific scouting, or innovation strategy within oncology.

+ Familiarity with academic-industry collaboration models and consortia-based innovation.

+ High digital literacy and comfort with landscape analytics, scientific intelligence platforms, and conference tracking tools.

Working Environment:

+ This position is based in US or Japan and requires some overseas/domestic business travels.

+ At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

Salary Range

$175K – $240K (NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, based on experience)

Benefits:

+ Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

+ Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks

+ 401(k) match and annual company contribution

+ Company paid life insurance

+ Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

+ Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

+ Referral bonus program

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Category CI & Research Program Management

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans