Senior Assay and Automation Scientist

Senior Assay & Automation Scientist

Location:Gaithersburg MD USA

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life-changing medicines. Working here means being results-oriented thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality.

We are looking for aSenior Assay & Automation Scientistto join ourBiologics Engineering (BE)team in Gaithersburg Maryland. This role is ideal for a scientist with a hybrid background inassay development screening technologies and laboratory automation who can bridge biology and engineering to deliver robust scalable platforms for biologics drug discovery.

About the Team

TheAssays Profiling and Pharmacology (APP)team withinBiologics Engineeringis responsible for developing high-throughput robust and innovative assay platforms to characterize novel biologics in collaboration with AstraZenecas therapeutic area teams. The group supports drug discovery across a broad range of therapy areas includingoncology respiratory and inflammation cardiovascular renal and metabolic disease.

A major component of the teams work is the design development and implementation ofindustry-leading automated workflowsto enable high-throughput biochemical and cellular assays. The team combines assay biology pharmacology automation and data analysis to deliver cutting-edge discovery capabilities and support AstraZenecas expanding biologics portfolio and novel drug modalities.

Role Summary

In this lab-based role you will serve as ahybrid assay and automation scientist responsible for the development optimization standardization and automation ofbiochemical and cell-based assaysfor biologics discovery and technology development. You will work closely with scientists automation specialists and IT partners to buildend-to-end workflowsthat can be deployed across projects and implemented on integrated robotic platforms to support drug discovery pipeline projects.

You will independently design execute analyze and interpret experiments while contributing scientific and technical expertise to multidisciplinary project teams. The role also includes identifying and developing new screening technologies solving complex assay and platform challenges and helping to establish scalable approaches for discovery of complex biologic modalities such asT-cell engagers ADCs cytokine fusions and other next-generation therapeutics.

What Youll Do

• Develop assays:Design and optimize96- and 384-well biochemical and cell-based assaysfor screening hit identification and pharmacological characterization of biologics.
• Automate workflows:Build and implement automation-ready assay workflows using platforms such asHamilton Integra ViaFlo Tecan or similar systems.
• Standardize platforms:Partner with cross-functional teams to create robust scalablehigh-throughput screening assaysfor broad project use.
• Identify and implement large data analysis packages (Eg: GeneData Screening) to automate HT data analysis.
• Support complex modalities:Develop assays to evaluateT-cell engagers ADCs cytokine fusions and other advanced biologic formats.
• Apply diverse methods:Useprimary immune cells imaging ELISA and flow cytometryto profile biologic activity and mechanism.
• Collaborate broadly:Work closely withautomation data science and IT teamsto improve assay throughput reproducibility and integration.
• Drive innovation:Contribute to newassay screening and automation technologiesthat strengthen biologics discovery.
• Communicate science:Present findings recommendations and risks clearly to multidisciplinary teams and support project decisions.

Required Qualifications

• PhDinBiochemistry Cell Biology Immunology Molecular Biology Biotechnology or a related field withat least 2-3 years of relevant experiencein industry or academiaor
• Masters degreein a relevant discipline withat least 5 years of relevant experiencein industry or academia
• Strong experience and technical depth inassay development screening and automation with a clear commitment toquality reproducibility and scientific rigor
• Experience developing96- and 384-well biochemical and cell-based assaysfor screening and characterization
• Hands-on experience withliquid handling systemssuch asHamilton Tecan Integra ViaFlo or comparable automation platforms
• Experience developing or transferring assays ontoautomated or integrated high-throughput workflows
• Experience using software tools forautomated data analysis visualization and handling of larger datasets
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience working effectively incross-functional and multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability tosolve technical problems creativelyand improve assay or screening technologies and processes

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with integrated automation and scheduling software from HighRes Bio would be a plus
• Industry experience inbiologics drug discoveryandin vitro pharmacology
• Experience withimaging platforms multicolor flow cytometry and immune-cell based assays
• Experience withprimary cell assays especially in immune or functional screening contexts
• Experience managing and interpretinglarge complex screening datasets
• Experience leading scientific initiatives or contributing withinmatrix project teams