Senior Scientist

Senior Scientist, Translational Proteomics, Cancer Biomarker Development

Gaithersburg, MD

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, Histology, Tissue Imaging, and Clinical Biomarker Development? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the clinical development of oncology drugs with innovative biomarkers in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration – we make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take smart risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline and Oncology team. Make a meaningful impact that brings real benefits to society. By applying your knowledge of data, you will help to redefine our industry and ultimately save lives. Work with experts who share a common goal: to accelerate the potential of medicines and the science of tomorrow.

Business area

Diagnostic Proteomics is a part of the Cancer Biomarker Development (CBD) in Oncology R&D. The team supports early-phase clinical studies with focus on innovative biomarker solutions to understand why, and identify which, patients benefit from particular treatments, what doses and schedules of treatments to use and the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to treatment. Join the team that develops cutting-edge technologies that directly impact on patient lives.

Major Responsibilities and Accountabilities

You will be responsible for tissue processing and image analysis of tissue biopsies from cancer patients for biomarker studies

• Develop, validate, and implement tissue micro-dissection and cell-enrichment approaches using digital imaging and automated dissection instrumentation to support translational and diagnostic proteomics assessments
• Develop tissue classifiers/cell analysis algorithms to detect and quantify areas of interest for tissue enrichment
• Process and biobank clinical and pre-clinical samples (e.g., FFPE/frozen human and animal model tissue material, biopsy punches, plasma, cell lines) using histological techniques, including sectioning/microtomy, deparaffinization, and special stains according to SOPs and GCP compliance
• Ensure high-quality data generation by applying strict QC process. Stay current with the latest histology and imaging technologies to improve the protocols
• Analyze data, summarize results, and present key results at functional reviews and project reviews

Essential for the role

• MSc with 7 years or Ph.D. with 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience in histology/histopathology, histological stains, preparation of tissue sections, and tissue dissections and tumor cell enrichment methodology from frozen and FFPE tissue sections for oncology biomarker studies. Familiarity with protein detection and quantitation methods.
• Strong theoretical understanding of histology and practical knowledge of processing human and PDX animal model tissue samples for bottom-up proteomics.
• Extensive experience in histology instrumentation, tissue databases, trouble shooting, QC, standardization for proteomics workflow and pipeline development.
• Familiarity with tissue image analysis tools including but not limited to Indica Labs HALO AI and Leica Aperio, along with the utilization of Python and R-scripting.
• Extensive experience in various methods of tissue enrichment including but not limited to tissue scraping, biopsy punches, Millisect, Zeiss Palm and Leica LMD7
• Experience in working independently and collaboratively in a matrixed environment with some experience in project management.
• Direct experience in collaborating with external vendors for process innovation
• Strong written and oral communication skills

About Our Gaithersburg Oncology Hub

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria and copy center, game rooms, community garden and more. This is where you’ll find newly-designed, activity-based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.

So, what’s next-

Are you already envisioning yourself joining our team? Good! We can’t wait to hear from you!

If you’re curious to know more, please contact Bobbi Poole, our Talent Acquisition Partner.

Closing Date: July 9, 2024

Competitive remuneration and benefits apply

We offer a competitive Total Reward program including a market driven base salary, bonus and long term incentive. We have a generous paid time off program and a comprehensive benefits package.

Where can I find out more-

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/>

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/>

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca%5Fcareers/?hl=en>

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Date Posted

28-Jun-2024

Closing Date

08-Jul-2024Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.