Scientist / Senior Scientist, Biochemical Assay Dev

Cambridge, UK

Competitive salary, excellent benefits

Meaningful Impact. Make a more meaningful contribution Impact patients’ lives every day

Make a more meaningful impact in your career, with greater ownership and accountability to make a contribution. And in return… we’re looking for people driven by making a difference to patients’ and society, dedicated to doing the right thing.

As a Scientist in Biochemical Assay Development in Cambridge, UK, you’ll play a pivotal role in channelling our scientific capabilities to make a positive impact on changing patients’ lives.

You will work within our Discovery Sciences team, part of AstraZeneca’s Biopharmaceutical organisation, which focuses on scientific advances in established and emerging medicine formats and drug discovery technologies across therapeutic areas including oncology, respiratory, cardiovascular, inflammation and neurosciences.

The Bio-Assay Development group, within the Discovery Biology department of Discovery Sciences within Biopharms, is responsible for the generation of novel biochemical assays to support projects in all phases of the drug discovery pipeline.

What You’ll do

We currently have an exciting opportunity for you to join us as a lab-based Scientist and be a key member of our team, developing biochemical assays for profiling and mechanism-of-action studies in support of Oncology drug discovery projects.

• You will be lab based, delivering expertise in the area of biochemical assay development; independently designing, developing and validating biochemical assays for implementation in drug discovery projects, while incorporating the views of others.
• To work in partnership with colleagues in the High Throughput Screening and Mechanistic Biology & Profiling teams to ensure that assays are designed optimally and implemented effectively.
• To implement work-plans over agreed timelines such that objectives are met, including delivery of more than one agreed area of work in parallel where appropriate.
• To be an effective member of Drug Discovery Project Teams, providing novel ideas and using judgment and knowledge where appropriate to influence the work of the project.
• To maintain an awareness of current developments in the literature and support the continuous improvement process by finding opportunities in the workplace where improvements can be made.
• To achieve personal scientific transparency through project contributions and internal presentations at departmental or functional meetings; and externally through poster & oral conference presentations and authorship on peer-reviewed publications.

Essential Criteria

• Ph.D in Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry or a related subject area or a BSc/MSc degree with significant up to date experience, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Proven success in the design, development and validation of biochemical assays for compound profiling and screening applications; together with an understanding of application to deliver mechanistic insight into compound mode of action.
• A practical understanding of a wide range of biochemical assay methods and technologies as applied to a range of biological targets.
• A clear understanding of assay optimisation, including statistical tools such as factorial experimental design, to enable generation of robust, reproducible and sensitive assays.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, good scientific judgement and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Research experience in Oncology.
• Experience with mass spectrometry.
• Cell culture and cell assay development expertise.
• Experience of profiling compounds in biochemical and cell assays.
• Positive team working and networking skills with experience of interacting effectively across interfaces of field, culture, and expertise, with an ability to work with external parties.

Pioneer a new future to meet global healthcare challenges

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 30 July 2021 and welcome with your application no later than 12 August 2021.

Where can I find out more?

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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.