Senior Scientist (In Vivo Core Skills), Animal Science & Technologies

Job Title Senior Scientist (In Vivo Core Skills) Animal Science & Technologies

Location: Cambridge

Salary: Competitive

Introduction to role

At AstraZeneca ideas become life-changing medicines. This role sits at the heart of in vivo science where rigorous experimentation high standards of animal welfare and scientific curiosity come together to advance treatments for some of the worlds most challenging diseases. Based at our dynamic Cambridge site this position offers the chance to deepen specialist in vivo expertise influence study design and delivery and see the impact of your work on real patient outcomes. As a Senior Scientist in the AST Core Skills team the role leads and delivers specialist procedures drives refinements and innovation and ensures that Core Skills are seamlessly integrated into in vivo studies across multiple therapy areas. Working largely independently within a multidisciplinary environment this position combines hands-on technical excellence with leadership training and operational stewardship. Ready to tackle complex in vivo challenges and shape how we deliver high-quality studies

Accountabilities:

In this role you will lead the planning and execution of specialist in vivo procedures and platforms ensuring they are delivered to high scientific and regulatory standards. You will provide contingency support across sections and therapy area-led studies helping maintain continuity and quality when priorities shift or new demands arise. A key part of the role is maintaining robust data integrity traceability and contemporaneous documentation for all activities including in-life data capture time accounting and animal welfare records. You will uphold technical and regulatory standards contribute to protocol optimisation and workflow improvements and help implement innovative approaches and refinements. Close collaboration with Study Leads will be essential to align specialist tasks with study timelines welfare considerations and facility constraints. You will also take operational stewardship for specialist equipment and spaces ensuring they are maintained compliant and ready to support evolving scientific needs. Alongside this you will mentor and train less experienced colleagues share best practice across teams and champion continuous improvement in in vivo research.

Essential Skills/Experience:

Current or past Home Office personal licence holder (modules A B & C) or equivalent qualification

Current or recent competency in a broad range of in vivo skills

Proficient working with a range of rodent animal models.

Ability to lead within at least one Core Skills area.

Understanding of 3Rs principles

Problem-solving skills related to in vivo research

Fully conversant with all aspects of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 Directive 2010/63/EU associated Home Office guidelines and their implications.

Understanding of current principles and concepts in own area of work

Experience with data integrity traceability and contemporaneous documentation systems.

Fluent in verbal and written English language

Highly motivated independent scientist be able to work effectively as part of a team and develop ideas by incorporating the views of others.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

Proven experience of cross-sectional delivery and leadership experience in coordinating specialist activities across multiple stakeholders and study teams

Ability to lead across multiple core skills

Experience as NACWO or deputising for NACWO

Experience in complex necropsy procedures

Experience as trainer/assessor

Experience refining perioperative care and anaesthesia

Experience contributing to evidence-based animal welfare refinements welfare monitoring systems and/or in vivo innovations.

Proficient in IT and digital tools including ability to troubleshoot.

Experience in pharmaceutical industry

Post-graduate degree in relevant sciences or proven track record of specialist in vivo work.

Experience with route cause analysis critical reflection/review of study outcomes troubleshooting and/or implementation of corrective actions.

Experience with experimental design and data analysis

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

inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challenge

perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that

doesnt mean were not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual

flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca offers an environment where scientific curiosity is encouraged learning never stops and people are empowered to explore new ideas that push the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare. Here data technology and biology come together to tackle complex diseases from multiple angles supported by strong collaborations with academia biotechs and industry partners. Colleagues work across diverse therapy areas and stages of development gaining exposure to different modalities and approaches while building long-term careers grounded in meaningful science. Resilience open dialogue and shared purpose underpin how teams operate with access to development programmes mentoring and opportunities to publish when impactful science comes to life.

If this role excites you and matches your experience apply now to join us on our journey to deliver life-changing medicines!

SO WHATS NEXT

We welcome your application no later than 13th May 2026

Where can I find out more

Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn AstraZeneca on Facebook AstraZeneca on Instagram to make a difference Apply now to join our team!

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