Senior Scientist In Vivo Pharmacology – Immuno Oncology

Permanent Opportunity

Location: Cambridge, UK

Do you have expertise in, and a passion for immune-Oncology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the lives of patient’s living with cancer in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the company for you!

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration – we make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take smart risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline and Oncology team.

At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energised and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

At AstraZeneca, we’re not afraid to do things differently. We’re building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening up new ways to work, exploring state of the art methods and bringing unexpected teams together. AstraZeneca wants to redefine the cancer-treatment paradigm, and we seek to bring six new cancer medicines to patients by 2020.

Our Oncology core drug development expertise is at the heart of our three dynamic scientific centres in Cambridge (UK), Boston (US) and Gaithersburg (US). AstraZeneca's broad pipeline of next-generation oncology medicines is focused principally on four disease areas – breast, ovarian, lung and haematological cancers.

Are you inspired to work on one of the most exciting pipelines in the Oncology industry?

Site Description

Welcome to Granta Park Cambridge, one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca!

Providing a collaborative environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves is at the core of AstraZeneca’s priorities, it’s important to us that you bring your full self to work every day.

This role will transition to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in Central Cambridge during 2022. Both sites provide access to on-site restaurant facilities and a bright and spacious environment, while utilising the most advanced technology.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus combines world-class biomedical research, patient care and education on a single site location in the heart of Cambridge. This new purpose-built site will bring together the company’s research and development activity in a state-of-the-art strategic R&D centre and global corporate headquarters. The building has been designed with the open architecture reflecting AstraZeneca’s collaborative approach to research. Open laboratories and transparent glass walls will enable new ways of working across disciplines, whilst a central courtyard will put science on full display.

Business area

In the Oncology Business Unit we relentlessly follow the science, challenging the status quo to deliver more effective treatments to patients in need. Our dedication means we purposefully push back the limits of knowledge to change the practice of medicine. To ensure no patient is left behind, no matter what stage of disease.

Fast-paced and ever-changing, it takes agility and responsiveness to stay committed in our pursuit of excellence. We work with focus and a sense of urgency to seek the unanswered questions – innovating, challenging accepted norms, quick decision-making and taking smart risks. A place of trust, it’s an opportunity to take accountability, be brave, speak up, step up and disrupt to change the game for Oncology, now and in the future. Be a part of improving lives. This is the time to join the team who is confident that cures for cancer are within our grasp.

AstraZeneca’s vision in Oncology is to push the boundaries of science to change the practice of medicine, transform the lives of patients living with cancer, and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a cause of death. A broad pipeline of next-generation medicines is focused principally on four disease areas - breast, ovarian, lung and haematological cancers.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with good in vivo and in vitro expertise and knowledge of tumour models with respect to inflammation and immunology to join our Oncology Research Team. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in isolating therapeutic antibodies and developing our expertise in immuno-oncology.

You will be based at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Granta Park sites in Cambridge (UK).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

You will spend the majority of time in the laboratories within the Oncology Research group, supporting projects aligned with one of AZ Oncology’s key focus areas, immuno-oncology. You will use your depth of immunology expertise to design, develop, conduct and analyse in vivo, ex vivo, and some in vitro experiments to understand the effect of drugs in complex model systems. You bring expertise in in-vivo techniques and will perform studies using in vivo tumour models. You may also perform in vitro immune assays with primary cells (human or murine) to support projects in the immuno-oncology pipeline and in vitro assays using cultured cell lines (e.g. luciferase reporter cell assays). You will present your data at project team meetings, along with with clear conclusions and recommendations for next steps, and have accountability to the project team for developing / leading the in vivo strategy on a project.

You will also provide support for tumour studies such as tissue acquisition for ex vivo analysis (e.g. confocal microscopy and flow cytometry), to understand the effect of test substances in complex preclinical models and immunology experiments relevant for cancer immunotherapy. Moreover you will have a strong expertise in techniques for the analysis of immune function and phenotype (e.g. high parameter flow cytometry, proliferation, cytokine/chemokine release [e.g. MSD, ELISA], chemotaxis, target cell killing assays) and actively keep up to date with new technological developments.

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent) in a biological science with significant hands-on in vivo experience OR BSc /MSc (or equivalent) plus equivalent experience in scientific discipline such as immunology or cancer research.
• Hands-on experience with animal handling and procedures including dissection and tissue collection, running in vivo models, particularly oncology models.
• Understanding and enthusiasm for tumour immunology and cancer therapies.
• Possession of a range of ex vivo/ in vitro skills that can be applied to cancer immunology research. This includes issue culture techniques for cell-based immunoassays, experience working with human immune cells, ex vivo immunobiology techniques such as: complex flow cytometry (including intracellular cytokine or multicolour cell surface staining); MSD; and ELISA.
• Data processing, statistical analysis and interpretation.
• Experience preparing written scientific reports (e.g. manuscripts) and oral presentations (e.g. slides, posters).
• Willingness to work flexibly; including weekends if necessary. 

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in the field of immuno-oncology within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, or in academia.
• Experience working with humanised mouse models
• Experience using preclinical mouse models in the field of tumour immunology
• Home Office Licence (Modules 1-4) or equivalent qualification for animal work and experience working under Home Office Regulations (as a Personal Licence Holder)
• Publications in top-tier scientific journals

Why AstraZeneca?

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, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

Closing date: 27th August 2021

Where can I find out more?

Connect with our recruiter – Sam Hunter at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samhunter1/

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

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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.