Senior Research Scientist - Cellular Assay Development

At AstraZeneca we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the upmost integrity even in the most difficult situations because we are committed to doing the right thing. We continuously forge partnerships that help pursue world-class medicines in new ways, combining our people's exceptional skills with those of people from all over the globe.

Right now, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Discovery Sciences Department as a lab-based Senior Research Scientist in the Cellular Assays Team. You will be developing state-of-the-art cell-based screening assays and detailed biological mechanism-of-action studies to support projects in all phases of AstraZeneca's drug discovery pipeline with a significant focus in RIA and CVRM disease areas. The position will be based at our vibrant R&D site at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg, Sweden.

In this position you will play a pivotal role in channeling our scientific capabilities to make a positive impact on changing patients' lives. Specifically, the successful candidate will take a lead scientific role in applying their skills to identify, characterise and progress new Antisense Oligonucleotide-based medicines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To be successful in the role as Senior Research Scientist we believe you are a highly motivated scientist with a passion to make a difference for patients all over the world. Along with this we see you as a person who enjoys collaboration and team working, who holds networking skills with experience of interacting effectively across interfaces of discipline, culture, and expertise. This goes hand in hand with your problem-solving skills, strong delivery focus and communication skills.

* Lab-based scientist utilizing expertise in cellular assay development; independently designing, developing and validating assays for implementation in drug discovery projects, while incorporating the views of others
* Innovate in the field of cellular assay development and cellular mechanism-of-action with a focus on antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapeutics
* Work in partnership with colleagues in the High Throughput Screening and Mechanistic Biology & Profiling teams and across the organisation
* Design and implement work-plans to agreed timelines to meet project objectives, including delivery of more than one agreed area of work in parallel
* Be an effective member of Drug Discovery Project Teams, contributing novel ideas and using judgement and knowledge to influence the work of the project
* Maintain an awareness of current developments in the literature and contribute to the continuous capability enhancement process by identifying opportunities where improvements can be made
* Achieve personal scientific visibility through project contributions and internal presentations at departmental or functional meetings; and external scientific visibility through poster and oral conference presentations and authorship on peer-reviewed publications

Essential Requirements

* PhD in Biology, Pharmacology, Cell biology or a related discipline or a BSc/MSc degree with significant relevant experience, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
* Strong experience in cellular biology techniques applied to development of physiologically relevant cellular assays
* Expertise in the design, development and validation of cellular assays for ASO and compound profiling

Desirable Requirements

* Knowledge of ASO delivery and gene regulation with proven experience on development of model systems and assays capable of identifying effective therapeutic molecules
* A practical understanding of a wide range of cellular assay methods and technologies (e.g., fluorescence, luminescence, target engagement techniques, plate-based automation) as applied to a range of biological targets for compound profiling and screening
* Expertise in a range of cell biology techniques, to include cloning, transfection methods, gene expression knock-down (RNAi or other) and endogenous gene tagging
* Good publication records in peer-reviewed journals preferably in the field of RNA degradation biology
* Research experience in RIA and/or CVRM diseases

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, what is the next step? Apply today!

We look forward to your application no later than, 22nd March 2020.

For further details around this position you are welcome to contact the recruiting manager Linda Roth at email: linda.roth@astrazeneca.com.