Senior Scientist, Translational Immunology – Cancer Vaccines

Do you have expertise in, and passion for Immunology and vaccine research? Would you like to apply your expertise to vaccine development in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then employment at AstraZeneca might be the right choice for you!

This Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with strong scientific and broad technical expertise in immunology and oncology to join our Translational Immunology group within Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies in Gaithersburg, MD. The Translational Immunology group bridges the gap between pre-clinical vaccine development and human clinical trials to inform decisions about the development of next generation vaccines to combat infectious disease and cancer.

In this role, you will design, execute, and analyze mechanistic and translational studies to define the contribution ofvaccine‑induced cellular immunity to protection and efficacy. You will apply these insights to optimize vaccine design and immunization strategies, advancing programs from preclinical proof‑of‑concept to early clinical evaluation. If you are driven to translate cutting‑edge immunology into therapies that improve patient and public health, this role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and conduct in vitro assays to assess vaccine-specific cellular responses and translate findings into novel vaccine technologies for oncology and infectious disease.

• Develop, optimize, and execute innovative assays to identify and quantify cellular targets and efficacy readouts relevant to vaccine performance.

• Stay current with immunology, oncology, and vaccinology literature and emerging platforms; share insights across Early Vaccines and Immune Therapies.

• Evaluate new technologies and assay formats for human immune function, driving continuous improvement and innovation.

• Communicate results in team and departmental meetings and represent the group at scientific conferences.

• Maintain high-quality electronic records and ensure work complies with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) standards, and relevant internal/external regulations.

Essential Requirements

• Education Experience: Ph.D. in Immunology, or other related scientific discipline

• Work Experience: 3+ years post-doctoral and/or industry experience in related areas

• Immunology Expertise: Strong foundation in immunology demonstrated by a track record of publications and applied research experience in infectious disease and tumor-immune interactions

• Tumor Biology and IO Techniques: Deep understanding of tumor biology, immune oncological techniques, and experimental model systems

• Flow Cytometry: Extensive hands-on experience with multi-color flow cytometry including panel design, staining fluency, compensation, and data analysis/interpretation

• Cell-Based Assays: Proficiency in functional cell-based assays to evaluate therapeutic mechanisms of action (e.g. cytotoxicity, T/NK cell activation, cytokine readouts)

• Single-cell sequencing expertise: End-to-end proficiency withscRNA-seq, CITE-seq, andATAC-seq—including panel/design and library preparation, QC, and analysis

• Assay Development and Innovation: Proven ability to develop, validate and troubleshoot assays as well as conceptualize and evaluate novel therapeutics

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively in team settings, communicate results clearly, and partner across discovery, translational, and data science groups

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from 112,304.00 - 168,456.00 USD Annual base salary. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. 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.  

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.

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by a sense of purpose to transform healthcare globally. Our commitment to pandemic preparedness ensures lasting immunity for people worldwide. We thrive on collaboration, investing in groundbreaking partnerships that lead to essential breakthroughs. Our diverse community empowers everyone to share ideas that challenge norms and push scientific boundaries. With cutting-edge technology at our fingertips, we engineer next-generation vaccines that promise profound impacts on global health.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team of innovators!

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.