Job Abstract

Are you a motivated cell biologist with experience of in vitro work in molecular biology, immunological based assays? Do you also enjoy working hands-on in the lab with a great group of colleagues by your side? If yes, this might be the next position for you! We are looking for a highly engaged cell biologist or immunologist to join as a Discovery Safety Scientist in our In Vitro Safety group at AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. The candidate will have a passion for in vitro lab based experimentation and analysis and value the utility of early drug safety investigations. We are looking for someone with strong communication, collaboration skills, and strive to drive our predictive immunological safety strategy to support drug discovery and development projects. 

Accountabilities: 

Working in an industry-leading in vitro safety lab, you will apply and develop advanced in vitro cellular systems to inform lead selection, predict, assess, and mitigate potential safety risks in drug discovery and development programs focusing on T cell engagers, antibody drug conjugates. You will maintain technical expertise and awareness of industry trends in innovative preclinical safety approaches for these modalities for treatment of in Immune disorders. You will play a role in developing mechanistic understanding behind (potential) safety concerns. You will propose, develop, and integrate novel in vitro safety assays and technologies to drive our predictive scientific capabilities for immunology Safety. You will use your experience as a cell biologist to work independently and collaborate with other scientists across the organization and with leading academic institutes, publish in high quality journals and actively contribute to scientific field networks. 

Essential Skills/Experience: 

·       PhD in cell biology, immunology, biotechnology, toxicology or pharmacology or a related field with 3 plus years of shown ability preferably in industry or academic setting. 

·       Strong background in primary cell culture. 

·       Experience with in vitro mammalian cellular biology/immunology assays applied to physiologically relevant human cellular models, flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine measurements, cell activation, and cytotoxicity assays. 

·       Experience with the design and execution of in vitro studies to evaluate the effects of T Cell Engagers & antibody drug conjugates on biological systems with line of sight to human safety would be considered an advantage. 

·       The ability to understand the biology around novel drug targets and pathways, develop testable hypotheses, and drive scientific learning. 

·       Track record of scientific delivery, evidenced by impactful publications, establishing collaborations, delivering successful funding proposals. 

·       A collaborative, team-oriented approach, able to solve problems in a goal-focused fashion with capacity to coordinate tasks across multiple projects but also work independently and drive actions as needed. 

·       Strong communication skills: including presentation, manuscript preparation, influencing and building partnerships with internal and external research groups. 

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel 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 three 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 aspiring world. 

At AstraZeneca, we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are working towards treating, preventing, modifying, and even curing some of the world's most complex diseases. Here we have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively impact the lives of billions of patients around the world. We are committed to making a difference and have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs. 

If your passion is science and you want to be part of a team that makes a bigger impact on patients' lives, then there's no better place to be. Here we truly understand science and apply it every day to strengthen and grow our pipeline. We are using our outstanding scientific capabilities to deliver what we believe to be one of the most productive pipelines in the industry. There's great potential too with lots of different indications. 

So, what’s next? If this sounds like the job and place for you – apply today!  

We look forward to getting to know you better. Send in your application as soon as possible, but no later than June 21st.  

For more information, please contact Paul Fitzpatrick, Associate Director – RINVI Safety Science, at paul.fitzpatrick2@astrazeneca.com 

Date Posted

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