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Location: Macclesfield, UK or Gothenburg, SE (3 days on-site)

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 diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development!

Are you ready to make a positive impact in a team where it means more? We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Ontology Specialist to join our PT&D Governance team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing capability within PT&D focused on data. As an Associate Director, Data Curator, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining ontologies and taxonomies across PT&D. Collaborating closely with business and technology teams, you will drive improvements in the understanding and quality of our data. Are you up for the challenge?

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain ontologies and taxonomies to support data integration across PT&D. Collaborate with data scientists, chemists and biologists to ensure ontologies meet cross-functional needs.
• Translate complex scientific and technical concepts into structured data formats for use in data models and real-time analytics tools. Collaborate with information architects and technical teams from other groups.
• Develop and promote standards for data interoperability (RDF, OWL, SKOS, SHACL) to facilitate seamless data exchange and integration within PT&D, across AZ business functions, and with external partners.
• Ensure high data quality and consistency by implementing quality checks and validation rules for ontology-driven systems and processes.
• Use of ontology development and data curation tools such as RDF/GitHub, Protégé and Neo4j to design, build, maintain and visualise ontologies. Understanding of enterprise data modelling tools such as IDERA E/R Studio and data catalogue tools such as Collibra.
• Use of ontology development and data curation tools such as Progress Semaphore to design, build and maintain taxonomies, controlled vocabularies and collections.
• Deliver training and support for end-users to enhance the utilisation of ontology tools and platforms. Assist in solving critical data challenges using ontology-based solutions.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in leading and governing controlled vocabularies, taxonomies, ontologies and enterprise knowledge management. Encourage innovation by proposing new approaches or technologies to improve data handling.
• Support the development of knowledge graphs and graph databases within PT&D.
• Work closely with collaborators across departments to gather requirements and ensure that ontological solutions align with business objectives and scientific goals. Explain and promote the use of ontologies for AI-Powered Drug Development.
• Collaboration with the Data Governance lead to evolve the ontology strategy and explain the benefits of ontologies to deliver value from data.
• Remain informed about industry-standard ontologies while thoroughly reviewing existing internal ontologies and decision frameworks to ensure alignment and informed adoption of standards.
• Adapt to rapid changes due to the introduction of automated tools and large language models (LLMs) and automation, anticipating significant evolution in responsibilities over the coming years.
  
  

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Data Management or possibly field area (R&D, Finance, HR etc) and cross-trained or equivalent number of years of experience.
• Technology Knowledge: Familiarity with industry standard ontology concepts, including RDF, OWL, SKOS, SHACL.
• Use of at least one industry standard methodology and toolset such as RDF/GitHub, Protégé, and Neo4j.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills to translate, promote and embed Data Governance and Data Standards ensuring buy-in across a large scale and diverse organisation
• Problem-Solving: Proficiency in identifying issues, analysing situations, and developing effective solutions within the scope of data policy and governance.
• Experience in working in multi-skilled, multi-location data teams, working to agile principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, and consultancy skills
  
  

• Domain data understanding: the structure, provenance, and meaning of the source data crucial to the domain.
• Enterprise Data Management: Experience in data governance, data quality, and data architecture.
• Technology Knowledge: Data technologies, including databases, data lakes, and data warehousing solutions, and tools for data visualization and reporting.
  
  

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

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