Senior Scientist in Lung Chronic Diseases

Join our Bioscience Asthma & Skin Immunity research group in Cambridge, UK as a Senior Scientist. This role is perfect for an experienced research scientist with a strong understanding of chronic lung disease. You will be part of a team investigating the pathogenesis of lung diseases including Asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis. Your enthusiasm for innovative scientific research will lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of therapeutic molecules such as Tozorakimab (anti IL-33 antibody) and tezepelumab (anti-TSLP antibody). 

Accountabilities:

As a lab-based researcher, you will have the opportunity to drive the direction of the work. Your focus will be on characterizing novel biology pathways in lung chronic diseases to aid target validation and drug projects. You will collaborate with scientists from a variety of functional teams in Cambridge and with our sites in Gaithersburg, US and Gothenburg, Sweden. You will also have the chance to publish your work in high impact journals.

Essential Skills/Experience:

- PhD and Postdoc/s focused on understanding biology in lung chronic diseases.
- Extensive expertise in in vitro culture of endothelial cells and lung fibroblasts, co-cultures with epithelial cells, immune cells, organoids.
- Processing of human tissue samples (peripheral blood and lung)
- Functional in vitro assays (co-culture, MSD multiplex cytokines, screening of compounds).
- Strong hands-on skills in basic biochemical and molecular techniques including quantification of mRNA (qPCR) and protein expression; ELISA, Western blot, Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry
- Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team to conduct a high-level research project.
- Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to critically analyse data sets.
- Proven ability to run collaborative efforts and utilize external resources to find the most effective solutions to deliver high-quality science, translatable to human disease.
- Excellent publication record (project is expected to yield publication of scientific results in peer-reviewed journals) and the ability to apply current scientific literature to projects.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

- PhD with industry experience in airway chronic lung diseases or Postdoc with extensive experience with airway diseases.
- Experience in single cell RNAseq wet lab and basic analysis.
- Experience in CRISPR genome editing technologies.
- Effective contributing to collaborative projects involving cross-disciplinary and global teams.
- Experience with mentoring students at the undergraduate and Ph.D. level.  
- Scientific creativity and ability to drive own research ideas to a successful conclusion, demonstrated by strong publication record or project progression.
- Drive for constant personal development and increasing skill base.

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to making a difference. We have built our business around our passion for science. Now we are fusing data and technology with the latest scientific innovations to achieve the next wave of breakthroughs. We are always listening and learning from people who live with the diseases our medicines treat. It enables us to better understand their needs and, ultimately, diagnose and design the right treatments to impact patients' lives. We are harnessing digital, data science & AI to help us achieve the next wave of breakthroughs. to do things that have never been done before.

Are you ready to join a team that's pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines? Apply now and let's explore what science can do together!

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.