Job Opportunity: Principal Scientist, In Silico Biologics Discovery

Location: Cambridge - UK (Granta Park / Cambridge Biomedical Campus)

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, pioneering ground-breaking methods and bringing cross-functional teams together!

We are looking to recruit a Principal Scientist to work across our In Silico Biologics Discovery team and technology investments. In Silico Biologics Discovery drives the application of data ingestion & formatting, bioinformatics, laboratory automation and in silico design methods to therapeutic antibody design and discovery. The team incorporates dedicated groups working together to reimagine our biologics discovery workflows through internal innovation as well as strategic external partnerships – with the exciting goal of moving us toward higher throughput and more efficient discovery platforms, as well as In Silico Antibody design and optimisation.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a Principal Scientist of In Silico Biologics Discovery, you will join a multidisciplinary team of bioinformaticians, data scientists, automation scientists and AI/ML experts implementing next generation discovery workflows including de novo antibody design for AstraZeneca drug projects. As a technical expert within our Biologics Engineering organisation, you will also have a significant role in leading scientific projects that span the key disciplines of In Silico Biologics Discovery, including lab automation, data management, data processing and machine learning, to unify work across these fields as well as identify important gaps. You will have a passion for scientific delivery and innovation, collaborating on interdisciplinary science and technology projects, contributing to the future of the In Silico Biologics Discovery capability, and building trusted relationships within and outside our organisation. Most importantly you will have a passion for translating technical innovation into biological medicines and impact for patients. This opportunity enables you to work within a first-class biologics R&D environment to support medicine creation across all of AstraZeneca’s Therapeutic Areas. You will develop and maintain a high level of science and technology knowledge and continue to build world leading specialist expertise in Silico Biologics Discovery.

Essential requirements

• PhD in a relevant scientific subject area or 10+ years of experience in biologics discovery.
• In-depth understanding of biologics discovery workflows.
• Experience working with lab automation.
• Strong track record of innovation in software solutions for biologics discovery that are usable by bench scientists.
• Demonstrable experience in workflow, process and method development related to in silico biologics discovery.
• Experience in leading drug and technology projects and collaborating with diverse teams across different regions.
• Initiates and successfully delivers value from external collaborations.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain networks and excellent working relationships with scientific/leadership teams globally.

Desirable requirements

• Experience working with Software as a Service (SaaS) products for Biologics workflow management, such as Genedata Biologics.
• Experience in complex project management and delivery.
• An understanding of AI/ML and how it can advance biologics discovery.
• Demonstrable experience in applying in silico design to drug discovery projects.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential. Interested? Come and join our journey!

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.