Senior Scientist, Molecular Cloning

This is what you will do:

As a Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca in the Rare Disease, Genomic Medicine Department, you will be a key player in advancing gene therapy research, focusing on AAV (Adeno-Associated Virus) vector design and establishing a plasmid QC and tracking system. Your responsibilities will encompass coordinating cloning requests internally and externally to support various project teams. Your role involves collaborating with diverse departments and mentoring junior scientists. The candidate must possess excellent organizational, verbal, written, and communication skills.

You will be responsible for:

• Collaborate closely with research teams to understand cloning requirements for therapeutic projects, develop and execute cloning plans, ensuring timely fulfillment of cloning requests that is aligned with the overall portfolio prioritization.
• Foster a collaborative and goal-oriented team culture to meet project objectives. Allocate resources effectively for the timely execution of cloning activities.
• Work closely with the quality assurance team to maintain high-quality standards. Facilitate the transfer of AAV design from constructs to manufacturing. Collaborate with external partners and vendors when necessary.
• Continuously evaluate and optimize AAV cloning processes for efficiency, scalability, and reproducibility. Implement best practices and innovative technologies to improve construct purity and quality.
• Serve as the contact for stakeholders regarding plasmid construction status, timelines, and challenges. Provide regular updates to leadership on construct fulfillment progress.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts to address issues and minimize impact on project timelines.
• Conduct in-depth literature reviews to stay current on advancements in AAV cassette design and related fields. Utilize computational tools and bioinformatics for the design of AAV cassette with enhanced expression and reduced immunogenecity.
• Collaborate with experimental teams to ensure successful implementation of different cassette design. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align the design with therapeutic goals.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical and computational methods. Provide clear interpretations of results and contribute to project decision-making.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to their professional development to ensure successful project execution and professional development.

You will need to have:

• PhD (preferred) in a relevant scientific field (e.g., Molecular Biology, Genomics, Bioengineering) 2+ years post-graduate experience in either academia or preferably industry; or MSc with 7+ years post-graduate industry or academic experience.
• Extensive experience in AAV construct design, cloning work and gene therapy research.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Proficiency in computational biology and bioinformatics tools.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement in laboratory practices.

We would prefer for you to have:

• Experience in leading teams, particularly in AAV cassette design, optimization and cloning.
• Experience in managing cross-functional collaborations and working closely with project managers.
• Experience fostering a collaborative and goal-oriented team culture.
• Experience collaborating with experimental teams to ensure successful implementation of experiment strategies.

In-person statement for 4 days in the office:

Expectation of working in the office 4 days a week statement: When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working give us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of four 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. 

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.