Experienced Scientist - CRISPR Screening & Assay Development

Are you a motivated and experienced scientist in the field of gene editing and phenotypic screening fields? Would you like to use your great scientific skills to drive the development of pooled phenotypic CRISPR screening approaches and join a fantastic team of scientists? If yes, we have an opportunity for you!

We have an exciting opening for you to join us in the Applied Stem Cell Sciences team in Translational Genomics, as a bench-based Experienced Senior Scientist to be a key player in developing CRISPR screens in primary and stem cell models for target identification and validation. In this role you will be based at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Our team belongs to the wider Discovery Biology department with a common goal to innovate at the interface of science and technology. Our mission is to discover new targets, to create reagents, assays and disease models to discover new medicines, and to develop cell and gene therapies. Be encouraged and supported to think creatively in our dynamic environment. Here we are free from fear of failure, free to ask the right questions and make bold decisions.

What you will do:
This role is focused on laboratory-based activities, where working alongside our stem cell scientists, disease area specialists and genome editing group. Using your expertise in gene editing and phenotypic screening fields, you will have the opportunity to work in different diseases areas to uncover novel targets with arrayed and pooled CRISPR screens in mechanistically-validated disease models including human iPSC-derived cell types.

Your biggest focus will be through significant contributions to the practical delivery to projects in compliance with AstraZeneca corporate responsibility, policies and relevant safety standards. You will also design, develop and validate target-based/phenotypic in vitro assays to support a range of projects across therapeutic areas. Other key responsibilities:

* Culture human primary and immortalised mammalian cell lines.
* Develop strategies to further scale-up current assays using mid-throughput, high-content, or pooled phenotypic CRISPR screening approaches.
* Perform in vitro studies to investigate the effects of CRISPR-based gene editing on gene and protein expression, and cellular readouts.
* Data analysis, figure generation and reporting of results within a timely manner.

Depending on your experience and background we will be able to tailor the level of the role to suit the person taking on the role.

Essential in the role:

* MSc/PhD degree with significant experience in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or Gene Editing.
* 3-5 years of experience working in an academic or industry lab, with demonstrable experience of developing and executing novel, high throughput, high content or pooled CRISPR screens with functional assays.
* Hands-on experience with the following assay platforms: RT-qPCR, ELISA, Western blots, Flow cytometry and/or cell- based functional/ potency assays.
* Familiarity with viral vectors and other delivery modalities for introducing genetic material into primary cells.
* Experience with iPSC-derived cellular models highly desirable.

We also believe that you are scientifically curious, creative and collaborative with a mindset of continuous learning in a matrix environment to enjoy this role. You should also have the ability to communication effectively and work independently, take own initiatives and have a positive, goal oriented and problem-solving attitude. English language is required, both spoken and in writing.

Desirable in the role:

* Proven experience with iPSC biology and directed-differentiation to skeletal and cardiac muscle.
* Background in cardiometabolic diseases.
* Computational skills including experience with one or more programming languages. Familiarity with bioinformatic and computational biology packages is a plus (Spotfire, GeneData, etc).
* Expertise with liquid handling automation technologies.
* Strong publication record on CRISPR screening and target discovery.

Why AstraZeneca?
Thrive in a place where the brightest and most curious minds seamlessly come together in our inclusive environment. Always advancing our scientific knowledge and helping to shape the future of healthcare for the greatest and swiftest impact on disease.

So what's next? If this sounds like your next challenge - welcome to apply today!

We look forward to get to know you better - please send your application to us no later than 13th November, 2022.

For more information about the position please contact hiring manager Bilada Bilican.

Additional information:
Our Gothenburg site: https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-science/gothenburg.html
Life in Gothenburg: https://www.movetogothenburg.com/
Make a move to Global Gothenburg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Iqbb4aw38
About BioPharmaceuticals R&D: https://www.astrazeneca.com/r-d.html