Senior Scientist - High Throughput Production Biologics Engineering

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca

Waltham, MA, USA
Posted on Dec 21, 2024

Job Description
Do you have a passion for science? Are you looking to apply your expertise to transform ideas into life-changing medicines? If so, AstraZeneca could be the perfect place for you!

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first, striving to meet their needs globally. We value innovation, collaboration, and bold thinking to make the impossible a reality. If you have a strong instinct to act, are confident, collaborative, and driven by curiosity, we want to hear from you.

About AstraZeneca in Waltham, MA
Our Waltham, MA campus is home to more than 800 experts dedicated to creating life-changing medicines for patients worldwide. Just a short drive from Boston, our vibrant, modern site fosters teamwork and innovation through innovative technology and collaborative workspaces.

In addition to driving scientific excellence, our Waltham site offers amenities to support your productivity and well-being, including:

  • A fitness center and employee healthcare clinic

  • Electric vehicle charging stations

  • Dry cleaning services

  • A full-service cafeteria

  • Flexible, activity-based workspaces designed to inspire collaboration

We are excited to expand our innovation hub with a move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026. [Learn more here](Kendall Square Press Release).

About the Biologics Engineering Group
Biologics Engineering (BE) is a global organization based in Cambridge, UK, and Gaithersburg, MD. We focus on the discovery and optimization of next-generation biologics for key therapeutic areas, including:

  • Oncology

  • Respiratory and Inflammation

  • Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Diseases

Our Waltham team is new, built from the ground up to drive global initiatives and serve as a center for scientific innovation. We are committed to pushing boundaries and developing groundbreaking platforms and drug modalities to address unmet medical needs.

Position: Senior Scientist, High-Throughput Production & Screening (HTPS)
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to expand our high-throughput production and screening capabilities for biologics. You will play a critical role in designing and performing experiments, automating workflows, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver antibody therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with scientists across therapeutic areas to ensure timely project progress.

  • Design, develop, and implement high-throughput protein expression and purification workflows for antibody-like proteins.

  • Plan and implement high-throughput production of therapeutic proteins using mammalian expression systems, process automation, and robotics.

  • Conduct and analyze biochemical, biophysical, and functional profiling of antibodies, multispecifics, and recombinant antibody fragments.

  • Provide technical expertise, fix processes, and optimize workflows.

Education & Experience

  • PhD in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field.

  • Master’s degree with 3+ years of experience in antibody engineering, cloning and expression, or protein characterization (e.g., UPLC, mass spectrometry).

  • Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.

Required Skills

  • Proficiency in molecular and cell biology techniques (cloning, transfection, transduction).

  • Hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, and characterization of antibody formats.

  • Expertise in tissue culture techniques (CHO and HEK293 cells).

  • Experience optimizing and solving automation techniques (e.g., Hamilton liquid handlers).

  • Familiarity with sample tracking and laboratory logistics software.

  • Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.

  • Consistent record of scientific innovation (publications, patents, or presentations).

Desired Skills

  • Experience in antibody discovery and various purification technologies.

  • Familiarity with multicolor flow cytometry platforms (e.g., iQue, Attune) and analysis tools (e.g., FlowJo).

  • Experience with lab automation scheduling software (e.g., Green Button Go).

  • Coding experience (Python, Jupyter Notebook, or similar).

  • Understanding of Design of Experiments (DOE) for workflow optimization.

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills for team collaboration.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex data effectively.

Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca, we embrace opportunities for change to drive meaningful advancements. Our mission is clear: to deliver life-changing medicines and redefine possibilities in biopharma. By combining diverse perspectives, pioneering science, and bold ideas, we are transforming patient outcomes worldwide.

Where You Can Learn More

Benefits
We offer a competitive Total Reward program, including:

  • Competitive base salary, annual bonus, and long-term incentives

  • Generous paid time off program

  • Comprehensive benefits package

Diversity and Inclusion at AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive team that represents a diverse group of backgrounds and perspectives, knowing that inclusion drives better outcomes.

We welcome all qualified candidates and align with applicable laws regarding inclusivity and employment eligibility. Individuals with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, as well as for essential job functions.

Date Posted

18-Dec-2024

Closing Date

10-Jan-2025Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.