Assay Scientist

Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Job Description

The Assay hub at Gaithersburg is a newly established group within Biologics Engineering (BE) that is responsible for the development of high throughput, robust and innovative assay platforms for the characterization of novel biologics in collaboration with AstraZeneca’s therapeutic area functions, providing cutting edge drug discovery capabilities to support our expanding portfolio.

 

BE is responsible for the discovery and optimization of biological candidate drugs across all AZ therapy areas such as oncology, respiratory and inflammation, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, with a passion for the development of in-house biologics discovery platforms and novel drug modalities to address unmet medical needs.

 

In this role you will be responsible for actively conducting biochemical and cell-based assay expertise to deliver multiple biologics drug discovery and technology development projects using innovative technologies. This is a lab-based role, however the candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate and contribute to multi-disciplinary project teams

 

 

What you'll do

 

  • Support the design of robust high throughput (96/384 well) cell-based and biochemical assays to screen and rank antibodies for drug discovery efforts.
  • Develop immune-oncology assays to look at tumor cell viability and immune cell profiling
  • Support the design of new SPR/BLI, HTRF, IP-WB and FACS-based assays.
  • Apply antibody & protein engineering expertise to design & develop novel drug discovery screening platform.
  • Maintain a well-developed understanding of assay approaches to drug discovery and apply to biologics discovery.
  • Identify creative solutions to sophisticated assay, technology or drug discovery project problems.
  • Ensure own work, and work of peers, follow Good Laboratory Practice, Safety, Health and Environment standards and all other relevant internal AstraZeneca standards and external regulations



Desired Skills & Experience


Required Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree in Biochemistry, Immunology or related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience in industry or academia OR
  • PhD in Biochemistry, Immunology or related field with 0-2 years’ experience in industry or academia
  • Experience with flow cytometry, FACS and SPR/BLI, and handling of primary cells and cell lines.
  • Background in drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Experience and in-depth technical knowledge of assay development, screening and use of automation, with a dedication to quality and scientific rigor
  • Strong teammate with good communication skills and experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Ability to tackle challenges creatively and contribute and improve assay technologies and processes

 

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ph. D. with experience in assay development.
  • Experience in immune-oncology assay design
  • Project leadership experience
  • Experience working in industry within matrix teams
Employer
AstraZeneca
http://www.astrazeneca.com
Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA