Scientist – HTS (High Throughput Screening)

Location: Alderley Park, Cheshire ​ (relocating to Cambridge, UK 2022)
Competitive salary with excellent benefits

Diverse Minds. Go further with bold new opportunities Collaborate with diverse minds

Collaborate in an inclusive environment, a place full of bold new opportunities. And in return… we’re looking for people who are open and respectful, ambitious and driven.

Who you are

This role is perfect for an early career professional looking to start their journey in pharmaceutical research or a more experienced individual seeking a fresh challenge. What you’ll need is a passion for drug discovery and a desire to be challenged and learn.

Who we are

We need a Scientist or Senior Scientist to join our Global High Throughput Screening (HTS) Centre in Alderley Park (Cheshire), prior to relocation during 2022 to our new, state-of-the-art R&D centre in Cambridge. HTS is the only department within our world-leading pharmaceutical business that focuses unequivocally on hit identification. This means you’ll get unrivalled exposure to the drug discovery process, working on multiple projects across therapeutic areas in a culture that fosters collaboration and open innovation.

In HTS we’re responsible for identifying the initial small molecule starting points for new drug discovery projects. Working closely with groups across the organisation we design bespoke screening cascades tailored for each target’s unique needs. Harnessing cutting-edge assay technologies and automated robotics we then rapidly profile millions of compounds to generate high-quality screening data and deliver robust data packages to pursue tractable hit series.

This role will encompass all these elements and more providing an opportunity for you to share your experience and get the development support to build upon it. You’ll do this as part of a team that uses world-class science and technology to deliver the most innovative tools for drug discovery.

What you’ll do

In a lab-based capacity, you’ll be tasked with delivering excellence in data generation for drug targets using cellular and biochemical assay systems. This incorporates aiding design of a project’s hit identification strategy and triage cascade, close cooperation with key groups in assay development and reagent supply and prosecution of the screening campaign. You’ll be responsible for guiding which assay technologies to apply for screening and supporting assay development colleagues to confirm they’re fit for purpose. You’ll further optimise the assays to ensure they work at large scale before profiling AstraZeneca’s compound collection to identify active compounds. Working closely with the project teams you’ll then support the medicinal and computational chemists in understanding the data and aid identification of the most promising series for progression. Whatever your experience level you’ll have every opportunity to acquire the practical and academic skills needed to put you on the path to becoming a true expert in the field.
 

Location
This role will initially be based at Alderley Park, Cheshire prior to the group relocating to Cambridge during 2022 so you must be committed to moving with this role.
 

Work with curious minds in an inclusive culture

Seamlessly come together in our inclusive environment. Here all doors are open, and every voice is heard. From working side-by-side with academia to innovating with biotech – we are forever expanding our horizons.

By sharing and increasing our knowledge we are empowered to be the best we can be and accelerate progress.

Essential Criteria

• Minimum BSc in a relevant biology discipline
• Flexibility to work at Alderley Park, Cheshire initially before relocation to Cambridge
• Agile at learning new concepts and adapting to new technologies, projects and collaborators
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to excel when working in a collaborative, team environment

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in cellular and/or biochemical screening approaches and ability to troubleshoot screening problems
• Experience working in a pharmaceutical or biotech laboratory environment e.g. industrial placement
• Experience of small molecule screening and/or fragment-based screening.
• Experience in several cellular and biochemical screening technologies
• Assay Development, cascade design and drug discovery project team experience
• Familiarity with laboratory automation

Make a more meaningful impact to patients’ lives around the globe

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.

So, what’s next?

Complete your application before the below closing date.

This role is open from 24 June 2021 to 8 July 2021

Where can I find out more?

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.