Data De-identification Technology Lead / Associate Director, Specialist Programmer

Data De‑identification Technology Lead

AstraZeneca is an innovative, mission‑driven place to work where cutting-edge science meets real-world impact. Our Data De‑identification Team is committed to protecting patient privacy and enabling transparency while accelerating medical research across the portfolio.

The role

Lead the design and delivery of privacy‑preserving data technologies that enable compliant de‑identification and anonymization at scale. You will design the strategic technology blueprint in close partnership with the Process Owner and System Owner, drive cross‑functional implementation with IT, Data Office, Biometrics, and maintain validated, audit‑ready tools . You will scout innovations inside and outside AstraZeneca, mentor programmers, standardize best practices, and represent AZ in external forums (e.g., PhUSE, TransCelerate, CDISC).

Responsibilities

• Blueprint design: Design a strategic architecture aligned to business goals and vision, collaborating closely with the Process Owner and System Owner.
• Innovation scouting: Evaluate emerging privacy‑enhancing or data processing technologies, and translate them into scalable capabilities.
• Tooling and processes: Develop and maintain production de‑identification pipelines, metadata‑driven automation, and audit‑ready controls.
• Programming leadership: Lead code reviews, manage improvement projects; promote standards and reusable components; mentor and support the team’s technical skills development.
• Validation and compliance: Ensure computer system validation and an audit‑ready state; champion peer review and robust controls.
• Cross‑functional delivery: Coordinate end‑to‑end solutions across data types with IT, Data Office, Biometrics, and various Robotics & Automation Teams.
• External engagement & people development: Influence standards and support recruitment, training, and community practices.

Key requirements

• Cloud & data platforms: Hands‑on experience with AWS services for data/compute; proficiency with Starburst for query federation and governance.
• Software engineering: Strong Python development; solid CI/CD practices (e.g., pipelines, environments), unit testing frameworks, and automated quality gates.
• Collaboration & leadership: Track record driving improvements in tools/processes; excellent communication and stakeholder management across technical and non‑technical teams.
• Quality & compliance: Experience with audits and validated systems; truth‑seeking, quality‑focused mindset; embraces peer review.
• Version control & DevOps: Deep familiarity with GitHub (actions, workflows, code review, branching strategies).

Additional benefits (nice to have)

• SAS expertise and knowledge of clinical data analysis/reporting in regulated environments.
• Familiarity with privacy‑enhancing tech, synthetic data, and re‑identification risk metrics.
• Experience with additional languages or platforms and project/product leadership.

Education

• Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.