R-141706 – Biophysics Scientists – Mechanistic and Structural Biology

Cambridge, UK

Competitive salary & benefits

Bold Disruptors. Push the boundaries of science Fearlessly break new ground

Work at the cutting-edge, where scientific innovations and an entrepreneurial spirit are the norm.

And in return… we’re looking for curious minds, comfortable taking smart risks and learning

from failures.

Who we are

AstraZeneca is a global, science-driven biopharmaceutical company. We are dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative, meaningful medicines and healthcare solutions that enrich the lives of patients. Science and patients are at the heart of everything we do.

We have two vacancies at career grades Senior Research Scientist and Associate Principal Scientist, which reflect different levels of experience. The interview process will allow candidates to be considered for either role based on their level of experience.

This is an outstanding opportunity for talented and passionate biophysical scientists to play an influential role in drug discovery projects at AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK.

Based within our Mechanistic and Structural Biology Department (MSB) as lab-based scientists within the Biophysics group in Cambridge, you will join our Discovery Sciences area in AstraZeneca’s BioPharmaceuticals organisation. The MSB department has leading capabilities in biophysics, crystallography, cryo-EM, enzymology and cellular pharmacology. The Biophysics team has expertise in molecular biophysics methods, including SPR, NMR, ITC, DSF, HDX-MS, nMS and single molecule approaches. We apply biophysics in small-molecule drug discovery from target validation to drug candidate. With this recruitment we will enhance our capability to address previously intractable oncology drug targets.

You will be comfortable working as part of a cross functional team to interpret data and determine next steps to drive projects forwards. You will present data to key stakeholders internally and achieve external scientific transparency through oral presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

What you’ll do:

Working collaboratively in drug discovery projects as part of cross functional teams, you will develop innovative approaches to create high-quality lead compounds and candidate drugs.

• Develop bespoke biophysical assays using a range of techniques
• Provide quantitative biophysical data on protein-ligand binding (reversible and covalent compounds and new drug modalities) including affinity, kinetic, stoichiometric, Kinact/Ki data to inform chemistry design and mechanistic understanding
• Fragment screening and SAR using SPR assays
• Validate and characterise hits from various screens (functional and affinity-based HTS, DNA-encoded library, virtual, collaborations)
• Provide high fidelity data and insights on the molecular mechanism of lead compounds
• Identify and drive improvements and innovations in biophysics capability
• Achieve personal scientific visibility through project contributions and internal presentations; and external scientific visibility through conference presentations and authorship on peer-reviewed publications

Essential Requirements

• Formal training and proven expertise in molecular biophysics and at least 5 years relevant experience (PhD and postdoc or industry experience; publications)
• Extensive experience in biophysical characterisation of molecular interactions and mechanistic insights, using methods such as SPR, NMR, ITC, DSF and fluorescence-based methods
• Substantial experience in characterisation of biomolecular complexes and perturbation/regulation (eg. FIDA, Mass Photometry, DLS, SEC-MALS and AUC)
• A track record of scientific excellence and peer-reviewed publications or patents
• To be considered for the associate principal scientist role, candidates will need to demonstrate considerable experience in small-molecule drug discovery in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry

Desirable

• Experience in single-molecule biophysics methods and/or mass spectrometry
• Experience in working with oncology targets and/or previously intractable targets

*** We will be reviewing applications and shortlisting on a rolling basis - as such we reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy ahead of the stated closing date ***

Thrive in a friendly and collaborative atmosphere where everybody is motivated to make a meaningful impact on patients across the world.

AstraZeneca makes a vital contribution to the UK biopharmaceutical sector, employing 9% of the total workforce and supporting a further 39,000 UK jobs. Our 6,500 dedicated people, across five sites, share a common purpose: to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.

AZ Cambridge

An exciting bioscience hotspot, Cambridge is home to one of AstraZeneca’s three strategic, global R&D Centres, alongside Gothenburg and Gaithersburg. Over 3,600 employees work from our various sites across Cambridge and our offices are internationally renowned for attracting high performers, including several Nobel prize winners.

Currently based at our Darwin building on the Cambridge Science Park, the Biophysics team are very excited for their pending relocation to our brand new, state-of-the-art R&D facility. The Discovery Centre (DISC), located at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is designed to play a central role in our mission to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. As our largest research and development centre in the UK, it will have more than 2,000 people working across therapy areas and drug discovery and development once fully occupied.

Find out more about our Cambridge campus and the DISC, here: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-company/our-locations/cambridge.html

So, what’s next?

Please complete your application before the below closing date.

This role is open from Wednesday, 29th June 2022, and we welcome your application no later than Friday 29th August 2022.

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.