Scientist, Molecular Biology, Antibody Engineering

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs 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.

About AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD

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 believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and 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. This is where you’ll find newly-designed, activity-based work spaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.

Summary of the Group

Biologics Engineering is responsible for the discovery, design, engineering, and optimization of next generation biologics to create biological drug candidates against diseases with improved safety and efficacy. The Protein Engineering & Novel Modalities group designs, engineers, and optimizes complex therapeutics through structure-function principles while collaborating broadly across the AZ Research organization. We're constantly pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, with a passion for the development of in-house biologics discovery platforms and novel drug modalities to address unmet medical needs.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Seeking a skilled and highly motivated scientist to enhance our antibody-based platform technology efforts. The successful candidate will be excited by research at the interface where innovative technology meets Biology.

• Collaborate and work with a diverse group of scientists across all therapeutic areas to ensure timely progress in research projects and drive technological innovations.

• Conceive, design, and execute the engineering of innovative bispecific and multispecific antibodies with improved selectivity and developability.

• Biochemical, biophysical and functional characterization of bispecific and multispecific modalities.

• Prepare, analyze, and present data internally and externally.

Education & Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degreein Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or other relevant scientific field with 2+ years of relevant experience in antibody engineering and/or bispecific antibody technologies OR Master’s degree with 0+ yrs of experience.

Required Skills

• Experience in molecular cloning and antibody engineering, including design, expression, purification and biochemical/biophysical characterization of various bispecific antibody formats.

• Experience in flow cytometry-based instruments and data analysis programs.

• Experience in tissue culture techniques and functional cell-based assay development

• Strong motivation, attention to detail, ability to think independently and fully integrate into a high achieving team environment.

• Track record of strong problem solving and organizational skills, orientation to detail.

Desired Skills

• Experience in engineering antibodies with improved properties (e.g., affinity, solubility, and other attributes related to developability)

• Background in immunology or cell biology

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effective presentation of complex scientific data to cross-functional and senior management.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.

“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 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.”

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $87,200 to $130,800. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

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.