Experienced In vitro Target Validation Scientist

Are you an experienced scientist in the field of stem cells and gene editing? Would you like to apply your scientific skillset to the development of gene therapies? Join a place built on innovation and creativity. Where different views and perspectives are welcomed and valued. An environment that champions inclusion, and teams that reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve.

In this role, you'll be a part of the Target Validation team, within Applied Stem Cell Sciences in Discovery Sciences at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg, Sweden. The driven and curious scientist joining our excellent team will be a lab-based Senior Research Scientist and you will play a key part in developing therapeutics to change patients' lives.

At AstraZeneca, we value our differences because we recognise that a team is at its most creative when it is made up of people who think differently from one another, in an environment where different views and perspectives are welcomed and valued. This is how we foster continuous innovation, constant learning and growth for us as individuals and for our patients.

What you'll do:
This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside our stem cell scientists, disease area specialists and genome editing group. Using your experience in stem cell biology, cell model development and CRISPR technology you will drive project delivery and scientific innovation within the therapeutic genome editing field. The scientific work will be focused on in vitro target validation and include culture and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and carrying out gene editing experiments to validate target hypothesis.

The role centers on laboratory-based activities. Your biggest impact will be through significant contributions to the practical delivery to projects in compliance with AstraZeneca corporate responsibility, policies and relevant safety standards.

Key Responsibilities:

* Culture and differentiate hPSC lines to skeletal and cardiac muscle.
* Culture human primary cells and various mammalian cell lines.
* Perform in vitro and ex vivo studies to investigate the effects of CRISPR-based gene editing on gene and protein expression, cellular readouts and muscle function.
* Conduct molecular biology protocols in support of in-house quantitative PCR, digital PCR and NGS assays.
* Effectively collaborate within a matrixed research team to facilitate the success of projects. Maintain complete experimental records.

Essential for the role:
It is essential to have a collaborative mentality and to be a standout colleague with social and communication skills as well as a positive, problem-solving attitude. As a scientist, you are able to work independently, take own initiatives and you have good data management and documentation skills. In addition, it is important that you should be comfortable presenting your results and engaging in scientific discussions.

You also need to have:

* PhD in Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Gene Editing or a BSc/MSc degree with significant experience
* Experience with PSC biology and directed-differentiation to skeletal and cardiac muscle
* Experience with the culture of multiple mammalian cell types including primary cells
* Hands-on experience with the following assay platforms: RT-qPCR, ddPCR, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, Western blots, Flow cytometry and/or cell- based functional/ potency assays.

Desirable for the role:

* Experience with CRISPR gene editing and NGS library prep
* Expertise with liquid handling automation technologies
* Experience of setting up cell based pharmacological assays

Why AstraZeneca?
Join the team unlocking the power of what science can do. 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. Ours is an environment where we work seamlessly and inclusively together, where all doors are open and everyone is encouraged to speak up.

So, what's next! 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.

We look forward to find out more about you. Send in your application as soon as possible, but no later than 16th June, 2021.

For more information about the position please contact the recruiting manager, Anna Jonebring at anna.jonebring@astrazeneca.com.

Additional information:
Our Gothenburg site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-science/gothenburg.html
Life in Gothenburg: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
About BioPharmaceuticals R&D: https://www.astrazeneca.com/r-d.html