Laboratory Scientist – Biochemistry & Assay Development (full time)

Laboratory Scientist Biochemistry & Assay Development (full time)
Location: Pivot Park Oss Amsterdam UMC campus
Fulltime 100% Lab-based

Acerta Pharma part of the AstraZeneca group is dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapies for haematological malignancies. We are strengthening our research activities in the Netherlands and preparing to relocate to Amsterdam in early 2027 to establish the AZ Netherlands R&D hub. Until that time you will be working from our facilities in Oss. After the move you will be based at our new site in Amsterdam. The ability to commute to both locations or openness to relocating is expected.

In this role you will design develop and execute biochemical assays that underpin our drug discovery programmes with a particular focus on building and running biochemical screening cascades. You will work closely with project teams and fellow scientists to generate high-quality data maintain rigorous assay performance and translate biochemical insights into actionable results for our medicinal chemistry and biology partners.

What youll do
In this role you will be fully embedded in our modern laboratory ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Working both independently and alongside colleagues you will carry out a variety of biochemical studies and play a central role in our assay development and screening activities including:

• Developing optimising and running biochemical assays including enzymatic binding and activity-based assays to support drug discovery programs.

• Executing experiments independently and troubleshooting assay performance applying sound biochemical reasoning to resolve issues promptly.

• Building and managing biochemical screening cascades from primary through orthogonal and counter-screens to support compound progression decisions.

• Applying key biochemical concepts (enzyme kinetics protein-ligand interactions dose-response analysis selectivity profiling) to design rigorous fit-for-purpose assays.

• Analysing experimental data interpreting results in a biochemical context and communicating findings clearly to project teams and stakeholders.

• Collaborating across disciplines including medicinal chemistry structural biology and cell biology to translate scientific questions into robust experimental approaches.

• Ensuring compliance with internal policies quality expectations and laboratory safety standards.

• Mentorship: Provide guidance on assay setup troubleshooting and data analysis to junior team members where appropriate.

What do you bring

• Masters degree or equivalent relevant scientific experience.

• Strong hands-on experience developing and running biochemical assays (enzymatic binding or protein-based) in a drug discovery setting in industry.

• Demonstrable experience planning running and troubleshooting experiments independently with the ability to adapt quickly when results deviate from expectations.

• Solid understanding of core biochemical concepts such as enzyme kinetics including Michaelis-Menten kinetics and steady state analysis protein-ligand binding selectivity and assay interference mechanisms.

• Practical experience with data quality assessment statistical analysis of assay results and application of appropriate experimental controls.

• Clear and confident communication skills with the ability to share findings effectively with colleagues and multidisciplinary project teams.

• A collaborative mature attitude and a strong commitment to working safely and responsibly in the lab.

• You are fluent in English.

• You are prepared to work from our laboratories in Oss until we move to our new site in Amsterdam UMC campus which is currently planned for early 2027.

Please note: this role is intended for candidates with a BSc or MSc background. A PhD profile will not be a suitable match and will not be considered for this role - due to the hands-on and operational focus of the position.

Desirable

• Experience building or executing biochemical screening cascades within a drug discovery context including primary screening counter-screen and selectivity profiling within an industry setting.

• Familiarity with biochemical platform technologies such as TR-FRET AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA FP SPR or related biophysical methods.

• Experience with data handling tools or scripting (e.g. Python R) for assay data analysis and visualisation.

• Background in drug discovery pharmacology or related haematological or oncology research.

• You hold an EU passport

What do we offer you

A dynamic innovative international working environment where you can be part of the development of new medicines that can make a difference to patients lives

The opportunity to work in a highly professional diverse close-knit team where you can learn a lot from each other and count on one another

The opportunity to further develop yourself for example into a position offering even more responsibility

Competitive salary and secondary benefits including 8% holiday allowance 27 holidays on a fulltime basis. Additional: office closure between X-mas and New Year Good Friday.

Collective pension with a fixed percentage personal contribution

Bonus scheme

Vitality of our colleagues is important to us which is why you can exercise at a discount or make use of our bicycle plan.

Support for potential extra travelling costs during the transition period when working at the Oss site

About AstraZeneca Oncology R&D Amsterdam

At AstraZeneca Amsterdam we bring together two research groups in haemato-oncology and next generation cell therapy research. Together they form our Oncology R&D hub in the Netherlands working closely with colleagues in the US Canada Spain and the UK to develop innovative treatments for patients with cancer. Our hematology R&D group was born as Acerta Pharma one of the Netherlands greatest biotech success stories. Its small-molecule BTK inhibitor has been approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). In Amsterdam approximately 100 colleagues continue the development of new therapies for haematological malignancies under the AstraZeneca brand name.

AstraZenecas Cell Therapy R&D team focuses on developing next-generation T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies targeting neoantigens in solid tumors. With a team of around 75 scientists we work on both fully individualised and shared neo-antigen approaches with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with cancer. Our oncology research and development hub is anchored by our new state-of-the-art laboratories in OneHelix and the adjacent Plus Ultra Amsterdam building both located on the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC) campus. Our hub is firmly positioned at the heart of the Dutch research community network creating new opportunities for our people our science and the patients we work to transform outcomes for.

Apply todayby clicking on the apply button at the bottom of this page.

QuestionsOur Recruitment Team Karin Raadschelders or Caroline van Oppen is available at or 31 (0)85 -.

We dont work with a fixed closing date; we will commence our screening process immediately - the vacancy will close as soon as weve found the right candidate.

Date Posted

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.