Job Description

Role – Senior Scientist

Location – DISC, Cambridge

Duration – 12 months (likely to extend to 24)

Inside ir35

We are at the forefront of research and development in Immunology with a global footprint and ability to deliver best in class medicines to the market. Through existing expertise in biopharmaceuticals, precise genome engineering and immunology, AstraZeneca is uniquely positioned to develop the best technologies for advanced therapies and is already growing a differentiated pipeline.

We are seeking a dedicated Senior Scientist to join the Bioscience Immunology team with experience in immune cell biology, precise genome modification and/or cell therapy. This is an outstanding opportunity to join an Immunology team within a vibrant environment focused on advancing therapies through the generation and analysis of in-vitro cellular systems.

What you’ll do

We are looking for a Senior Scientist to support the development of innovative therapies, including cell therapies, to treat autoimmune diseases using pioneering techniques such as CRISPR/genome editing, advanced cell models and immune assays.

You will have the opportunity to drive scientific excellence; presenting data to key collaborators internally and at external conferences, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Working within Respiratory and Immunology in Astrazeneca, you will be joining a community of scientists with broad therapeutic and technological expertise dedicated to drug discovery.

Suitable candidates will demonstrate relevant knowledge in Immunology, cell therapy and a passion for science. At AZ, we work together to provide medicines that make a real difference in patient care. A place with an ambitious and collaborative culture, where you’ll feel valued and rewarded for your ideas and contributions!

Essential Criteria

• PhD in Immunology or equivalent experience

• Expertise in drug discovery projects in the immunology or a closely related field of biology is preferred

• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team to conduct a high-level research project.

• Experienced, working with primary immune cells, or cell therapies

• Advanced Flow Cytometry skills

• Experience in working with complex immunoassays and cell models of human disease

• Good understanding of auto-immune diseases and T and B-cell biology

• Strong experimental design and problem-solving skills

• Scientific excellence as shown by previous work, history and references from scientific mentors

• Outstanding team working, communication and networking skills

• Experience of interacting effectively across disciplines, cultures and expertise.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with multi-modal single cell technologies and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

• Experience in working with complex immunoassays and cell models of human disease

• Practical understanding of cell and gene therapy product discovery and development.

• Experience in cellular, DNA and protein-based assays using a variety of technologies for measuring disease-relevant phenotypes

• Experience of working in external collaborations both in academia and pharmaceutical industry