Thesis work, 45 credits - Investigation and characterization of the response of in vitro 3D engineered heart tissues to drug-induced cardiotoxins

Do you have a passion for life science and would like to like to perform your master thesis in a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company? Then this might be an opportunity for you! 

About AstraZeneca: 
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.  

About the Opportunity: 
As a Thesis Worker at AstraZeneca, you’ll find an environment that’s full of unique opportunities and exciting challenges. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your areas of interest whilst equally developing a broad skillset and knowledge base to get the best out of your experience. You’ll be working on meaningful projects to make an impact and deliver real value for our patients and our business. 

Thesis work description:  
Damage to the cardiovascular system either structural or functional in nature by drugs (drug-induced cardiotoxicity) is an important concern during drug development. There is an unmet need to identify potential factors and gain molecular understanding of mechanisms underlying drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Within the cardiovascular safety team at AstraZeneca, we see the potential of integrating improved physiologically relevant 3D cardiac cell models that more accurately recapitulate the patient population (i.e. disease background), with novel and advanced systems for their functional and structural characterization with the aim to more accurately predict drug-induced toxicology early in drug discovery, enabling optimal compounds to progress into clinical development. 

In this master student role, you will generate advanced cardiovascular 3D models (healthy or diseased) representative of the key cell types in the heart using both stem cell derived cells and primary cells, and characterize their response to drug-induced injury utilizing a variety of state-of-the-art technology platforms. In particular, the focus will be on cardiac 3D engineered heart tissues formed on advanced systems where their functional and structural response will be characterized upon different drug treatments. 

You will be at the forefront of innovative medicines working with experts across global multi-disciplinary teams in the fields of cardiac biology and toxicology. From this cutting-edge work there is the potential for publication in high-impact journals and to influence the future direction of the cardiovascular safety strategy within AZ. 

Essential Requirements: 

• Ongoing Master´s Studies in relevant discipline  
• A degree in Biological Sciences/Bioengineering 
• Experience working within a laboratory environment 
• Technically minded with enthusiasm and aptitude for tackling unfamiliar aspects of cardiovascular safety science 
• Proficient with aseptic mammalian cell culture 

Desirable Requirements: 

• Quantitative real-time PCR 
• Fluorescent microscopy 

So, what’s next?  
Apply today and take the chance to be part of making a difference, making connections, and gaining the tools and experience to open doors and fulfil your potential. We can´t wait to hear from you!  

We welcome your application as soon as possible, but ahead of the scheduled closing date 31st of October 2024. In the event that we identify suitable candidates ahead of the scheduled closing date, we reserve the right to withdraw the vacancy earlier than published.