Postdoctoral Fellow – Exploring Transcriptional Regulation in CHO Cell Factories

Postdoctoral Fellow – Exploring Transcriptional Regulation in CHO Cell Factories

The Discovery Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, UK

Competitive salary and benefits

Are you ready to decode how transcription factors shape gene expression to build smarter, more resilient CHO cell factories? Do you want your discoveries to influence how life-changing biologics are designed, produced, and delivered to patients?

In this postdoctoral role, you will join a team that pushes the boundaries of cell engineering, integrating transcriptomics, super-resolution imaging, and biophysical profiling to uncover the rules of transcriptional control. Your work will translate directly into next-generation producer cell lines, connecting molecular mechanism to performance in microbioreactors and, ultimately, to reliable supply of biologic medicines.

You will operate at the interface of industry and academia, collaborating closely with scientific leaders and partners at the University of Sheffield. With access to advanced platforms and cross-functional expertise, you will move rapidly from hypothesis to validated insight, shaping strategies that impact both discovery and delivery.

Accountabilities:

Transcription Factor Biology Discovery: Design and engineer cell lines to decode how transcription factors orchestrate gene regulation, integrating cutting-edge transcriptomics with biophysical profiling to reveal mechanism and function, delivering insights that guide engineering decisions.

Next-Generation Producer Lines: Build antibody-expressing cell lines using advanced host platforms and validate performance in state-of-the-art microbioreactors, linking phenotype, productivity, and stability to create robust candidates for scale-up.

Spatial and Single-Cell Mapping: Combine bulk and single-cell transcriptomics with super-resolution STORM imaging and immunofluorescence to visualize transcriptional hubs and connect structure to function, informing targeted interventions.

Precision Rewiring with CRISPR: Apply CRISPR-based engineering to program novel cell states and create bespoke producers and experimental models, testing causal hypotheses with speed and precision.

Experimental Design and Execution: Independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments across transcriptional hub mapping, transcriptomics, and immunofluorescence, generating reproducible, decision-ready data packages.

Bioprocess-Linked Validation: Perform stable cell line engineering and run microbioreactors to translate molecular insights into process-relevant outcomes, reducing risk and accelerating development.

Leadership and Collaboration: Lead and drive the project under the guidance of the Cell Line Development and Engineering team and in collaboration with an academic expert; work cross-functionally with internal teams and the University of Sheffield to align milestones and share learning.

Scientific Communication: Plan, write, publish, and present high-quality scientific papers to advance the field and amplify the impact of your discoveries.

Essential Skills/Experience:

Push the frontiers of transcription factor biology: Design and engineer cell lines to decode how transcription factors orchestrate gene regulation, integrating cutting-edge transcriptomics with biophysical profiling to reveal mechanism and function.

Build next generation cell lines: Develop antibody expressing cell lines using advanced host platforms, then functionally validate them in state of the art microbioreactors to link phenotype, productivity, and stability.

Map cellular regulatory architecture: Combine bulk and single cell transcriptomics with super resolution STORM imaging to visualize transcriptional hubs, complemented by immunofluorescence to connect structure with function.

Program novel cell states with precision: Apply CRISPR based cell line engineering to transcriptionally rewire cells, creating bespoke producers and experimental models tailored to discovery and delivery.

Independently design and execute experiments related to transcriptional regulation, e.g transcriptional hub mapping, transcriptomics, immunofluorescence.

Perform stable cell line engineering and run microbioreactors.

Lead and drive the project under the supervision of the Cell Line Development and Engineering team and in collaboration with the academic expert.

Collaborate cross-functionally within AstraZeneca and the University of Sheffield

Plan, write, publish, and present high-quality scientific papers.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

Hands-on expertise with CHO cell line development and antibody expression systems.

Experience analyzing bulk and single-cell transcriptomic datasets, including pipeline development and data integration.

Proficiency with super-resolution imaging workflows (e.g., STORM) and image analysis to quantify nuclear organization and transcriptional hubs.

Practical knowledge of CRISPR design, multiplex editing, and validation strategies.

Familiarity with microbioreactor platforms and scale-down models that predict manufacturing performance.

Competence in scientific programming for data analysis and visualization (e.g., R or Python).

Proven ability to manage complex, multi-partner collaborations across industry and academia, aligning objectives and timelines.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to

inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca:

Here, curiosity meets courage in an environment built for experimentation and fast learning. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues from across scientific disciplines and with external partners, using advanced platforms in cell engineering, omics, and imaging to tackle problems that matter to patients. We combine deep biology with data and technology to turn hypotheses into therapies more predictably, and we value kindness alongside ambition so you can take bold swings, share ideas openly, and see your work move from the bench toward meaningful patient impact.

If you are ready to turn the rules of transcriptional control into better CHO producers and, ultimately, better medicines, step forward and shape what science can deliver!

#Earlytalent

Date Posted

20-Jan-2026

Closing Date

27-Jan-2026

Our 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.