Postdoctoral Fellow – Treg Cell Therapy

Introduction

Do you have expertise and passion for immunology and cell therapies? Would you like to be part of a cross-functional team driving the discovery of next-generation Treg cell therapies for treating autoimmune diseases in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life-changing medicines? Then join the Cell Therapeutics and Engineering group within the Biologics Engineering department, and the Bioscience Immunology group within the Early Respiratory and Immunology department at AstraZeneca. Unlock the power of what science can do.

About the Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for you, an outstanding and ambitious cell and molecular biologist with experience in immunology, T cell biology, or cell therapies, to join the Cell Therapeutics and Engineering group. Your focus will be on researching and developing next-generation Treg Cell therapies. A major focus of the Treg Therapy team is to apply Tregs or CAR-Tregs as a modality to treat human inflammation-related diseases like autoimmunity, organ transplantation, and GvHD. You will work closely with colleagues specializing in Treg cell biology, autoimmunity, gene editing, multi-omics, high-throughput screening technologies, and cell product manufacturing across AstraZeneca sites.

Project Focus

We seek a proactive and dedicated individual like you to research and develop new engineering strategies to improve the efficacy of Treg/CAR-Treg cell therapy. You will publish results in high-impact journals.

Professional Growth

We will empower you to take appropriate risks, lead your project, and "run with it," while providing all the support you need. You will work in an industry-leading group with a strong publication track record.

What You’ll Do

As part of this journey, you will drive the discovery of novel biology and engineering strategies to solve current challenges in Treg cell therapies. Through discussions with industrial and academic supervisors, you will lead innovative research to improve the efficacy and tissue specificity of Treg/CAR-Treg cell therapies. You will also have the opportunity to generate biological and translational insights and publish your research in high-impact journals, sharing your findings at conferences both nationally and internationally.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead projects focused on the research and development of next-generation Treg/CAR-Treg cell therapy-related technologies, including engineering and in vitro and in vivo validation assays.
• Collaborate with experts in immunology, T/Treg cell biology, autoimmunity, gene editing, and multi-omics technologies across AstraZeneca.
• Share your research with the academic and industrial community by presenting at meetings and conferences and writing up your work for publication in high-impact journals.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, or another relevant field.
• Experience with in vitro cell culture assays, including cancer cell lines and primary T cells.
• Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques, including DNA cloning, flow cytometry, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting.
• Strong track record of first-authored work published in reputable scientific journals.

Desirable Requirements

• Sound understanding of immunology, cell biology, and molecular biology.
• Experience with molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, qPCR, multi-panel flow cytometry, NGS, and proteomics analysis.
• Detailed understanding of cell-based assay technologies and their application in the characterization of biologics, such as assays used for cytotoxicity, cellular signaling, cytokine secretion, and cell proliferation.
• Experience with in vivo experiments using autoimmune disease animal models.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).

At AstraZeneca, you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. We champion an inclusive culture that values diversity, collaboration, and are committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development, pioneering the future of healthcare.

Stages of the Interview

Applications are reviewed for fit/skills, and you may be invited to each step:

1. One-way video interview

2. Virtual interview panel with presentation

To find out more, visit astrazeneca.com. We anticipate a high volume of applicants, so do not delay in applying today!

Compensation for this role, depending on years of research experience, ranges from a minimum of $99,900 to $107,500, plus a short-term incentive. Some relocation supplements depend on distance and location at the employer's discretion.

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.