Senior Scientist Integrated Bioanalysis – Biomarker assay specialist

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

Are you ready to work at the cutting-edge, where scientific innovations and an entrepreneurial spirit are the norm? We’re looking for dynamic thought leaders with curious minds, who are comfortable taking smart risks and constantly challenging the boundaries of science all the while learning and developing core skills and experiences.

What we do

We are a global, science-led BioPharmaceutical business and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Why we love it

The future is bright at AstraZeneca as we bring ground breaking therapies to complex disease to patients with critical needs. Scientific innovations are at the core of what we do across our industry leading portfolio which drive exciting opportunities and varied work. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare!

The role

As part of the Integrated Bioanalysis (iBA) Global Team, you will be responsible for developing a biomarkers assays used to assess safety and efficacy biomarkers including but not limited to mechanism of action, target engagement or target occupancy. The ideal candidate will have extensive technical expertise across a broad array techniques and platform technologies such as Western blot, high sensitivery LBA platforms (e.g MSD, Simoa, CMCxPro…) and mass spectrometry. You will be responsible for assay development, optimization, qualification, execution, and transfer of high complexity assays using state-of-art instrumentation to support pre-clinical and clinical studies. You will also contribute to tech-transfer to established CRO partners and be called upon to review data to ensure assay are fit for purpose including troubleshooting and data analysis. You will be expected to provide scientific leadership to junior staff and to develop strong collaborations intra and inter-departments. You will be expected to contribute to the development of advanced bioanalytical techniques across all aspect of AZ portfolio within Oncology and Biopharm. Working with a dynamic team in a matrixed environment you will need to manage stakeholder expectations, input to project strategy and delivery while being the main interface with experienced and highly skilled bioanalytical scientist colleagues or our partnered labs. You will have the opportunity to have an immediate and lasting impact to our diverse pipeline.

The iBA group within Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences provides broad discovery, preclinical, and clinical support including life cycle management across all therapeutic areas enabling pipeline delivery, decision making, innovation and advancement to improve the lives of patients through life-changing medicines.

What you’ll do

You will be located at our research hub in Cambridge UK where you will work alongside a team of experienced bioanalytical scientists supporting a range of need across our portfolio. You will also be working closely with bioanalytical strategy leads to ensure assays are fit pro purpose and assays meet there intended context of use. You will need to use your experience and proven track record of assay and experimental design to support delivery of robust bioanalytical data. You will also be called upon to interpret data and provide scientific insight. As a Subject Matter Expert, you will be responsible for enhancing the iBA reputation for scientific excellence by presenting at internal and external meetings, and publishing manuscripts.

The successful candidate will work closely with AstraZeneca laboratory groups within iBA and our vendor partners to ensure appropriate bioanalytical method are transferred to our partners while fostering an environment of scientific knowledge exchange. They will also interact with stakeholders and cross functional project teams.

Education/Experience required:

• PhD in immunology, molecular biology or related studies with significant relevant experience

Essential for the role:

• Proven experience as a Subject matter Expert in a broad array of bioanalytica techniques (e.g LBA, Mass Spectrometry, flow cytometry…) including the development of robust, state of the art assay to assess biomarker endpoints.
• Design, execute, and troubleshoot assays to ensure they are fit for purpose
• Have a clear understanding of context of use and the relationship of how data will be used to assay robustness characterization
• You will also be called upon to contextualize and interprets data for use in key project decisions
• Provide bioanalytical support for pre-clinical and clinical-scale non-GLP IND-enabling studies, including assay qualification and assist in tech transfer internally and externally in support of GxP like and GxP studies.
• Contribute to project technical teams to ensure effective communication and interpretation of data
• Collaborate effectively to ensure productive interactions with all stakeholder groups.
• Foster advance technical applications to ensure data quality
• Demonstrate strong accountability, organizational and interpersonal skills, and apply scientific and technical experience.
• Ensure high-quality, timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and technical reports which support regulatory filings.
• Present data/ strategy to scientists and management in internally.
• Other duties as assigned. Interpretation of integrated and complicated datasets
• Ability to handle multiple projects and / or tasks concurrently in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to develop, coach and mentor
• Background in pharmaceutical clinical trial research
• Proven publication and presentation record
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Desirable for the role:

• Extensive immunology knowledge and experience
• Experience across a range of technology platforms including but not limited to Elispot, Wester-blot, and PCR.
• Experienced in regulated bioanalysis for a range of drug modalities

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.