Thesis work: Evaluation of a CRISPR-Cas9 patient centric model

Job description
Evaluation of a CRISPR-Cas9 patient centric in vitro cardiovascular model for drug discovery
Thesis work: 30 credits, starting in January

At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

In this role you will be at the forefront of innovative medicines working with experts across global multi-disciplinary teams in the fields of precise genome engineering, omics technologies, cardiac and stem cell biology, to evaluate and utilize novel complex cardiovascular in vitro models.

This role will be within a global R&D department, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, supporting all AZ therapy areas from early stage to late stage drug discovery to bring safe and efficacious medicines to patients.

Responsibilities
Drug-induced cardiovascular toxicity is one of the leading causes of drug attrition during preclinical and clinical development. We are in need of better predictive in vitro tools with patient centric focused potential that allow detection of adverse cardiac liabilities early on in the drug discovery process. CRISPR-Cas9 technologies will be utilized in human iPS cells to study single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within a key calcium signaling gene in the heart critical for excitation-contraction coupling. Differentiation of gene-edited iPS cells to cardiomyocytes followed by their characterization and pharmacological evaluation will ultimately allow us to understand if polymorphisms in key cardiac genes in the general population that are asymptomatic impact on drug-induced cardiac function. From this cutting-edge work there is the potential for publication in high-impact journals.  

Qualifications
Essential Requirements
Bioscience background
Mammalian cell culture experience
Molecular biology
Willingness to learn and work on novel breakthrough technologies


Desirable Requirements
Fluorescent microscopy
Cellular transfections
Flow cytometry


Application
Randstad Life Sciences is cooperating with AstraZeneca in this recruitment process. We only accept applications through Randstad’s website.

Deadline for application: 2020-11-05, selection and interviews will be ongoing. The position may be filled before the last day of application, therefore, apply as soon as possible.

For more information: Kerstin Karlsson kerstin.karlsson@randstad.se or Linnea Öster linnea.oster@randstad.se

About the company
Our Gothenburg site is one of AstraZeneca's three strategic science centers. We thrive in a multinational environment working cross-functionally across the globe with AstraZeneca colleagues as well as academic and industry partners. Our way of life is to foster a working environment that nurtures, collaboration, openness and innovation. Therefore, we have created space for meetings, socializing and relaxation, where spontaneous meetings can give birth to new innovations. The unexpected ideas or thoughts that can come from a chat over something as simple as a cup of coffee or a stroll on our “walk and talk” meeting trail.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.