Senior Scientist – BioPharma R&D (18 months FTC/Secondment)

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

1/27/2025

Cambridge (on site)

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

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 are based in Cambridge. Our offices are recognized globally for attracting hard-working individuals, including several Nobel laureates.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development!!

Our BioPharmaceutical Development (BPD) department supports the development and advancement of innovative biologics medicines to the clinic across the AZ therapy areas from early research to late stage development.

Within BPD, the Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences (CCFS) function designs, develops, optimizes and validates cell culture and fermentation processes for a wide range of biologic products. The group generates optimal cell lines and is also responsible for technology transfers into manufacturing and preparing CMC documentation for regulatory submissions. Cutting edge high throughput scale-down models are employed to develop high-performing media and processes to support production. The group actively implements novel technologies, including molecular biology, automation and analytics, to advance production platform capabilities and drive forward a diverse exciting project portfolio.

Key Responsibilities:

• Applies technical knowledge and expertise to generate and characterize stable cell lines for clinical supply of recombinant therapeutic proteins
• Independently designs and implements platform and technology development experiments to achieve specific project aims
• Understands and applies principles, theories and techniques used in mammalian cell culture and expression of protein biologics, to support drug and technology projects, with high level of attention to detail and providing solutions to a variety of process related problems
• Independently analyses data, making detailed observations and interpretation of results and understands the implications of the data in relation to the drug discovery process
• Demonstrates professional, interpersonal communication by establishing good working relationships with team and department members and others within the company
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team and works closely with other scientists in relation to day-to-day working
• Prepares appropriate documentation such as electronic laboratory notebooks, contributions to patents and development reports and conducts work according to current codes of practice and all other relevant internal AstraZeneca standards and external regulations
• Presents clear and concise findings at internal (intra- and inter-departmental) project team meetings,
• Provides training for students or members of department in processes, where necessary
• Ensures that work is performed in accordance with appropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), quality and compliance standards.
  
  
  

Requirements:

• Minimum Master’s degree and relevant experience within stable cell line development,
• Experience in generating stable cell lines for the expression of biotherapeutic proteins from transfection to cell cloning, clone screening, cell line characterization and banking
• Experience of cell culture automation and cell line screening technologies
• Professional communication skills and excellent attention to detail, capable of developing good working relationships with diverse individuals across organisational boundaries and experience working within a team environment
• Has scientific curiosity and proactively develops own knowledge
  
  
  

Desirables:

• PhD in related field
• Experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
• An understanding of regulations and relevant compliance systems required within cell line development
• Demonstrated experience of molecular biology techniques including plasmid construction and qPCR
  
  
  

In Office Requirement:

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of five days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Competitive Salary And Benefits Package On Offer.

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.