Senior Life Scientist

Introduction to role::

Are you a Life Scientist with well founded in vitro assay development experience who wants to add large pharma industry experience to your portfolio? 

Are you fuelled by the commitment to help patients and see what science can do?

An opportunity has arisen to be a part of the Bioassay, Biosafety and Impurities Group (BB&I) accountable for developing state-of-the-art methods to evaluate product quality by measuring biological activity and detecting, characterizing, and quantifying product variants and process-related impurities for biologics (e.g. antibodies and antibody like (incl. multispecifics and antibody drug conjugates, modified peptides, viruses, RNAs etc)). This enables product understanding, manufacturing process development, formulation, drug product development and regulatory filings to bring our drugs to the clinic and eventually onto the market. In addition, this group is accountable for control systems, including specifications, comparability, and shelf-life strategies required by regulatory agencies. Also, it performs technical transfer of methods to clinical quality control and commercial launch sites and technical support and lifecycle management post-launch. 

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic lab-based scientist with a strong scientific acumen and proven experience in in vitro biological activity methods to join our team at the Discovery Centre in Cambridge. The successful candidate will be hands-on in advancing the development and implementation of novel cell-based and immunoassays.

• Use your knowledge of cell culture and hands-on potency assay development in a team-oriented environment 

• Support our drug development programmes with data, effectively utilising existing and novel technologies and instrumentation 

• Convert opportunities and resources to succeed and thrive around the team and communicate achievements to different audiences, including team meetings, global group meetings and matrix teams.

• Learn from experience and guidelines/documentation to increase responsibilities and complexity of tasks to be performed with a higher level of autonomy.

• Motivated by curiosity and a solid scientific foundation to learn and train others in utilising new technologies and automation-friendly approaches 

• Build on AZ’s science driven dynamic environment

• Develop biochemical and cell-based potency assays based on drug mode of action and carry out routine sample testing in a timely fashion

• Enable transfer of any methods to other groups as appropriate

• Accurately record all data clearly and concisely with a clear understanding of its implications within the overall context of drug development 

• Manage own work to ensure that agreed targets are met and to agreed quality standards, communicating progress appropriately.

• Discuss and defend experimental findings at cross-functional meetings, representingthe  Bioassay, Biosafety and Impurities Group in CMC teams, present in internal symposia and external conferences.

• Prepare for review clear and concise technical documents like SOPs, work plans, work reports and instructional documents 

• Assist in the training & coaching of others in procedures and practices

• Ensure that work is performed in accordance withappropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), quality and compliance standards

Essential Skills:

• PhD with 4-10 yrs of experience(or equivalent relevant scientific experience)

• Thorough understanding ofimmunoassay/binding assays

• Thorough understanding of mammalian cell culture and hands-on experience with in vitro cell-based assay techniques and their applications e.g. cellular signalling, receptor binding assays, reporter assays, proliferation assays, cytotoxicity, ELISA, MSD, HTRF, AlphaLISA, SPR, imaging assays and flow cytometry.

• Drug development experience in academia, Pharma/Biotech industry

• Experience with ADCC/CDC/ADCP assays and Bioassay/CMC

• Experience with cell line generation and molecular biology techniques

• Experience with liquid handlers e.g Integra Assist, Dragonfly etc

• Experience with data analysis software’s like GraphPad Prism, JMP, SoftMax Pro etc

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our passion for science. We are committed to making a difference by treating, preventing, modifying, or even curing some of the world's most complex diseases. Our inclusive environment fosters collaboration across academia, biotechs, and industry. We embrace lifelong learning opportunities that allow us to grow our knowledge while making a significant impact on patients' lives globally. Here you can build a meaningful career while pushing the boundaries of science.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

So, what’s next?

Please complete your application before the below closing date (8th May 2025)

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Where can I find out more?

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Join us today and be a part of the change!