Zafrira holds a post doctorate (Cancer Biology) from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. from Weizmann Institute (cell Biology). She was based in Palo Alto, California, USA, from 1987 until 2006, in various positions in the Research and Development area at Roche. Amongst the positions she held are Distinguished Scientist in Roche Bioscience; Disease Area Head for Osteoporosis and Head of Dept. of Musculoskeletal Research.
From 2006 she was based in Basel Switzerland. She held positions of Director of Scientific evaluation and Director of Biomarker Alliances.

Zafrira Avnur has published more than 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts and holds a number of patents.