Research Scientist , Mechanistic Biology and Profiling in Cambridge

Are you ready to turn complex biology into clear decisions that move medicines closer to patients? Join a lab-based team in Cambridge that generates high-quality in vitro pharmacology and cell biology data to shape the trajectory of early-stage programs and strengthen the evidence behind our therapeutic hypotheses. In this role, you will design, execute and interpret experiments that inform project strategy. You will partner closely with colleagues across disciplines, applying your scientific expertise and day-to-day use of digital and AI-enabled tools to deliver robust, reproducible insights.

How will you use your curiosity and precision to uncover mechanism, improve data quality and accelerate project progression? You will grow your capability across biological models, assay technologies and analytics, while seeing the direct impact of your results on team decisions. Your work will help de-risk targets, refine compound profiles and prioritize the right paths forward for patients who need new options.

Accountabilities:

• In Vitro Profiling and Mechanistic Insight: Generate high-quality data that clarifies mechanism of action and differentiates compounds to guide project decisions and progression.
• Experimental Design and Execution: Plan and perform cellular and biochemical experiments with appropriate guidance, selecting fit-for-purpose assays to answer the right questions at pace.
• Data Analysis and Communication: Analyse and interpret results with rigor; translate findings into clear, actionable conclusions for project teams and stakeholders.
• Assay Development and Troubleshooting: Contribute to assay optimisation and problem-solving to improve data robustness, reproducibility and team throughput.
• Digital and AI-Enabled Science: Use quantitative, digital and AI-enabled tools for data handling, image analysis, and workflow efficiency; adopt new approaches that improve quality and insight.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work effectively with chemists, disease biologists, safety specialists, and data scientists, contributing experimental results and scientific perspective to integrated plans.
• Documentation and Quality: Maintain accurate records, controls, and documentation that stand up to scrutiny and enable reproducibility across the portfolio.
• Impact and Growth: Deliver immediate experimental impact while building expertise that scales your influence from experiments to study design and platform improvements.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific discipline, such as cell biology, pharmacology, molecular biology or similar, or equivalent practical laboratory experience.
• Hands-on experience in in vitro biology, cellular pharmacology or related laboratory-based experimental science.
• Experience with relevant techniques such as high-content imaging, plate-based cellular assays, cell health assays or related methods.
• Ability to generate, analyse and interpret experimental data with attention to quality and reproducibility.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.
• A proactive and scientifically curious approach, with willingness to learn new techniques and technologies.
• Interest in applying digital and AI-enabled tools to support data analysis, interpretation and laboratory workflow efficiency.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Hands-on experience of laboratory-based automation, with the ability and desire to run, manage and continuously improve automated workflows.
• Experience in drug discovery, translational research, safety pharmacology or disease-relevant cell biology.
• Experience supporting assay development or optimisation.
• Familiarity with complex in vitro models, such as co-culture, 3D or primary cell systems.
• Experience with quantitative biology, image analysis, statistics or coding tools.
• Exposure to AI-enabled or automated approaches for biological data analysis or workflow support.

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.

Why AstraZeneca: Here, scientific rigor meets real‑world impact. You will collaborate with inquisitive colleagues, academic partners and biotech innovators to tackle complex disease biology, supported by leading technologies in data science and AI. We combine ambition with kindness, encouraging bold ideas while learning fast from both successes and setbacks. By contributing your experiments and insights, you help convert biology into therapies at speed—advancing a pipeline designed to reach more patients, across more indications, with purpose and care.

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.