Senior Scientist, Biologics Expression Team
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization 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're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration.
The role
BE is responsible for the discovery and optimisation of biological candidate drugs to support all therapy area drug discovery pipelines and for the development of in-house biologics discovery platforms and novel drug modalities to support future drug discovery efforts.
The individual should have a good understanding & experience of high throughput recombinant protein engineering and production in relation to biologics discovery. The individual will be an experienced molecular biologist and will be responsible for running and trouble-shooting high throughput cloning processes including optimising vector designs to improve mammlian transient cell expression.
Key responsibilities include:
Understands and applies principles, theories and techniques used in cloning, expression & purification 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.
Designs and generates recombinant expression vectors and nucleic acid preparations to allow for protein expression, particularly in relation to antibody and next-generation biologics development at a medium to high throughput scale.
Pro-actively contributes to development of new or improved high throughput cloning and expression processes, requires advanced molecular biology expertise to design and optimise mammalian expression vectors and evaluate performance in transient CHO systems.
Use of liquid handlers to automate and track the high throughput cloning platform to increase capacity and improve efficiency of the process.
Analyses data, making detailed observations and interpretation of results and understands the implications of the data in relation to the drug discovery process.
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 IND reports and conducts work according to current codes of practice (health and safety legislation, etc.) and all other relevant internal AstraZeneca standards and external regulations.
Presents clear and concise findings at internal (intra- and inter-departmental) project team and community of practice meetings.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal communications by establishing and using existing working relationships with BE department members (Cambridge and globally) and BPD within the company.
Provides training for students or members of department in processes, where necessary.
Essential Requirements
Bachelor/Master of Science degree in life sciences with PhD or equivalent experience in relevant field.
Relevant knowledge and strong technical skills in designing and conducting laboratory experiments and processes within the field of molecular biology (e.g. next-generation cloning techniques), protein engineering and cell biology.
Experience in troubleshooting biologics development strategies.
Strong, 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 knowledge.
Acts with integrity and does the right thing.
Desirable Requirements
·Transient protein expression in mammalian suspension cell lines (CHO, HEK) and purification techniques on ÄKTA systems.
·Use of high throughput liquid handlers e.g. Hamilton, Tecan, Echo.
·Experience of biologics databases to track data and locate material.
Location: Cambridge, UK
So, what’s next?
Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!
Employer of Choice
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.
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.
