Senior Scientist, Cell Biology Mechanistic Biology and Profiling

This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated scientist with expertise in cell biology assay development and execution to play a pivotal role in drug discovery projects within AstraZeneca R&D in Waltham, MA. You will collaborate with scientists with varied backgrounds on drug discovery projects primarily within Oncology. Working collaboratively in project teams, you will help identify and develop high-quality lead compounds that can progress to clinical candidate drugs. You will support multiple projects simultaneously as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team environment.

Accountabilities

In this lab-based position, you will develop, validate, and use cell biology based functional assays to rapidly profile compounds to inform chemistry enabling projects to move quickly. Responsibilities include:

• Deliver high quality compound screening data from cell-based functional assays to inform project drug design

• Develop and validate cell-based functional assays to meet project needs

• Maintain working knowledge of advances in cell-based assays for drug discovery/profiling

• Present scientific data and insights at group and departmental meetings, contributing technical expertise in areas of responsibility

• Contribute to multiple drug project teams in a fast-paced environment

• Work as a great teammate to ensure delivery of quality leads for drug discovery projects

Essential Skills/Experience

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Cell Biology, Biology, or a related field with 1-3 years post-graduate experience OR

• Masters Degree with 5-8 years of post-graduate experience

• Strong team player with good written and oral communication skills

• Robust track record culturing a variety of cells

• History of successful development and implementation of cell-based functional assays such as AlphaLISAs, HiBiTs, nanoBRETs, proliferation assays, and imaging assays

• Extensive experience with a variety of imaging platforms/technologies

• Propensity to tackle challenges creatively and contribute and improve assay technologies and processes

• Ability to record protocols and experiments in timely manner and maintain excellent laboratory notebook

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

• Exceptional critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience in pharma/biotech

• Experience in supporting oncology programs/projects

• Past work with culturing primary human cells/organoids

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to following the science to explore and innovate. Join our team as we work towards treating, preventing, modifying, and even curing some of the world's most sophisticated diseases. Our inclusive environment fosters collaboration with academia and biotech, empowering us to make bold decisions and celebrate our successes and failures along the way. By integrating our diverse knowledge from various fields, we create the greatest impact on disease.

About the Waltham Site

Our Waltham, Massachusetts facility develops life changing small-molecule research in North America, with innovative laboratories at the Gatehouse Park BioHub, just west of the city center. Our BioHub facility, is a bold new R&D initiative, which fosters life science discoveries and the exchange of ideas. Here, we play host to some of the most innovative technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration. With a shuttle bus to and from Alewife station, the location provides you the ability to work in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant research centers.

Our Waltham site offers a variety of amenities to help book productivity and help keep our employees happy and engaged. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly-designed, activity-based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams and the greater research community.

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026. Find out more information here: Kendall Square Press Release

Competitive remuneration and benefits apply

We offer a competitive Total Reward program including a market driven base salary, bonus and long term incentive. We have a generous paid time off program and a comprehensive benefits package.

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 follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

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.

If you are passionate about science and want to be part of a team that makes a significant impact on patients' lives, apply now!

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.