R-161441- Scientist (x2) – High Throughput Screening

Cambridge, UK
Competitive salary with excellent benefits

Be part of the team where you are empowered to follow the science

Be part of a dedicated Research & Development team. Fuelled by our commitment to help more patients, strengthen our pipeline and grow our area.

This is the place to go beyond discovery – we think holistically about patients and are always learning from those living with diseases. We harness digital, data science & AI to fast-forward our research. Making sure work born in a lab can make a real difference.

Every day, impacting patients’ lives across the world.

Who we are

Within Discovery Sciences, the High Throughput Screening (HTS) group’s core purpose is to deliver hit series of small molecule compounds confirmed as active against a disease target of interest. These are then provided to project teams to initiate medicinal chemistry campaigns as a starting point for developing human therapeutics.

We achieve this by performing an HTS, utilising advanced robotics to rapidly test up to ~2M compounds through biochemical, biophysical or cellular assays. Bespoke triage cascades then need to be designed and implemented to build confidence in the quality of the hits.

We want to welcome two exceptional Scientists to join our impactful HTS team who will shortly be transitioning innovative R&D centre, The Discovery Centre (DISC) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Positions will be offered at Scientist or Senior Scientist level, according to candidate experience.

HTS is the only department within our world-leading pharmaceutical business which focuses unequivocally on hit identification - giving our scientists unrivalled exposure to the drug discovery process, working on multiple projects across therapeutic areas in a culture that fosters collaboration and open innovation!

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.

What you’ll do

In a lab-based capacity, our Scientists are 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 collaboration with key groups in assay development and reagent supply and prosecution of the screening campaign.

Our scientists are 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.

• Deliver HTS discovery projects in the laboratory as part of a successful team, progressing projects into and through the HTS portfolio taking ownership for its successful delivery within agreed timelines

• Collaborating with relevant teams (cellular and protein reagents, assay development etc) to coordinate that the delivery of their activities occurs in line with HTS and project needs - projects will be prosecuted on behalf of all therapy areas within AstraZeneca including CVRM, Oncology, R&I and Neuroscience or, in partnership with external collaborators.

• Representing HTS at the project team level communicating progress and issues effectively with the wider team members

• Transferring assays into HTS from the assay development groups and optimising the assays to function at scale

• Performing comprehensive assay validation, delivering screening of up to ~2M small molecule compounds and confirming actives in concentration response format through all relevant cascade assays

• Contributing towards the troubleshooting of technical issues with assays and technologies via planning, executing and analysis of appropriate experimentation

Essential Criteria – Relevant to both Scientist & Senior Scientist levels

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent scientific experience

• Demonstrable experience in applying cell or biochemical assays for screening of small compounds or other modalities

• Experience in cellular, biochemical or biophysical screening technologies

• Flexibility to work at Alderley Park, Cheshire initially before relocation to Cambridge

• Demonstrated ability to solve scientific problems and troubleshoot technical issues

• Excellent team working skills with ability to effectively interact and influence across multiple different groups

• Agile at learning new concepts and adapting to new technologies, projects and collaborators

• Outstanding organisational, prioritisation and communication skills

To be considered for the Senior Scientist level

• PhD in relevant scientific discipline or industry experience

• Strong cell assay development experience and ability to drive the practical application of new approaches to screening and drug discovery science

• Previous delivery of small molecule and/or fragment-based screenings

• Understanding of the analysis and interpretation of large screening datasets

• Experience with technology-rich lab environments and automation

*** 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 ***

Location

This primarily lab-based role will be based at our brand new, purpose-built Discovery Centre (DISC) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. HTS is scheduled to relocate to our new home during 2023. Until then, there will be a requirement to spend time at our current site on the Alderley Park Life Science Campus, Cheshire.

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!

Next steps

This advert will be running from Tuesday, 21st March 2023, and we welcome your application as soon as possible. The scheduled closing date is Wednesday, 11th April 2023, but we may close this advert earlier in the event of identifying successful applicants.

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.