Scientist - High Throughput Screening

Title: Scientist High Throughput Screening

Location: Central Cambridge

Salary: Competitive

We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist to join our collaborative High Throughput Screening team, the only department within our world-leading pharmaceutical business which focuses unequivocally on hit identification of small molecules- giving our scientists unrivalled exposure to the drug discovery process in a culture that fosters true collaboration and open innovation.

Who we are

Within Discovery Sciences, the High Throughput Screening (HTS) group’s core purpose is to deliver small molecules  that are active against a disease target of interest. These will be provided to project teams to initiate medicinal chemistry campaigns as a starting point for developing human therapeutics.

This is achieved using advanced robotics to rapidly test up to ~2M compounds through cell, biochemical or biophysical assays. Bespoke triage cascades need to be designed and implemented to build confidence in the quality of the hits.

Introduction to the role:

In a lab-based capacity, you’ll be tasked with delivering excellence in data generation for drug targets using cellular and biochemical assays using ana state-of-art robotic systems. . This incorporates aiding design of a project’s hit identification strategy and triage cascade, close cooperation with key groups in assay development and reagent supply and prosecution of the screening campaign. You’ll be responsible for guiding which assay technologies to apply for screening and supporting assay development colleagues to confirm they’re fit for purpose. You’ll further optimise the assays to ensure they work at large scale before profiling AstraZeneca’s compound collection to identify active compounds.

Accountabilities:

Working closely with other HTS members and teams associated with the project, the role will take responsibility for delivering these screens in line with departmental and project needs. These projects will be prosecuted on behalf of all therapy areas within AstraZeneca including CVRM, Oncology and R&I or, in partnership with external collaborators.

• Deliver HTS discovery projects in the laboratory as part of a team.  Progress projects into and through the HTS portfolio taking responsibility for its successful delivery within agreed timelines

• Collaborating with relevant teams (cellular and protein reagents, assay development etc) to coordinate that the delivery of their activities occurs in line with HTS and project needs

• Representing HTS at the project team level communicating progress and issues effectively with the wider team members e.g. project lead, therapy area representatives, medicinal and computational chemists etc.

• Transferring assays into HTS from the assay development groups and optimising the assays to function at scale. Performing comprehensive assay validation, delivering screening of up to ~2M small molecule compounds and confirming actives in concentration response format through all relevant cascade assays

• Contributing to the troubleshooting of technical issues with assays and technologies via planning, execution and analysis of appropriate experimentation

• Working closely with HTS colleagues, including the automation team and engineers, to support delivery of the broader portfolio of projects within HTS

• In conjunction with the automation team, utilising the large automated robotic platforms to optimise and deliver screening activities

• Analyse large datasets using appropriate statistical methods to ensure high quality data.

Essential Criteria

• BSc or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent laboratory scientific

• practical  experience in applying cell or biochemical assays for screening of small molecules or other modalities

• Experience in cellular or biochemical screening technologies (e.g. FRET, reporter gene assay)

• Proven ability to solve scientific problems and troubleshoot technical issues

• Excellent team working skills with ability to effectively interact and influence across multiple different groups

• Agile at learning new concepts and adapting to new technologies, projects and collaborators

• Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload within the larger team environment to deliver department and project requirements

• Outstanding organisational and communication skills

Desirable Criteria

• PhD in relevant scientific discipline or industry experience

• Strong cell/biochemistry assay development experience and ability to drive the practical application of new approaches to screening and drug discovery

• Previous experience in small molecule drug discovery/ delivery of small molecule and/or fragment-based screening

• Understanding of the analysis and interpretation of large screening datasets

• Experience with technology-rich lab environments and automation/robotics

So, what’s next?

We welcome your application no later than 6th February 2025

Where can I find out more?

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_careers/?hl=en

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today and join us in our mission to improve global public health!

In April 2024, the Home Office increased the salary threshold requirements for Skilled Worker Visas to £38,700 – If you require a skilled worker visa, please be advised that the base salary range for this role may not meet the minimum salary requirement.

To be eligible to apply for this role you must be able to provide your right to work in the UK.

*** We will be reviewing applications and shortlisting on a rolling basis - as such we reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy ahead of the stated closing date ***

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 comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.