At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to create innovative bioconjugates and optimise drug discovery processes.
- Company: AstraZeneca, a leader in biologics engineering with a cutting-edge Discovery Centre.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with mentorship opportunities and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery while working with advanced technologies.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and strong skills in protein science and analytical techniques.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Biologics Engineering Function in the UK is based at our new state‑of‑the‑art Discovery Centre (DISC) located on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Biologics Engineering is responsible for the discovery and optimisation of biological candidate drugs to support all therapy area drug discovery pipelines and for the development of in‑house biologics discovery platforms and novel drug modalities to support future drug discovery efforts.
We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join Biologics Engineering within the Protein Sciences & Analytics (PS&A) team, supporting the generation of bioconjugates. AstraZeneca are looking to strengthen capability in conjugation workflows and enable data‑driven optimisation of bioconjugate design and production. The successful candidate will combine hands‑on conjugation expertise with strong analytical and data science capabilities, working at the interface of protein science, chemistry, and computational analysis.
Accountabilities- Express, purify, and characterize antibodies and protein constructs (IgG, VHH, fusion proteins) to support conjugation workflows.
- Independently perform bioconjugate generation using a variety of conjugation strategies – for example, lysine/cysteine chemistries and enzymatic methods.
- Execute analytical QC for conjugates and proteins using SEC, HIC, RP‑HPLC, LC‑MS, and SDS‑PAGE; ensure data integrity and timely reporting.
- Support linker‑payload and conjugation route development by preparing high‑quality protein starting materials and performing small‑scale conjugation trials.
- Contribute to functional assays and collaborate with cell biology and biologics profiling teams for downstream evaluation.
- Maintain accurate electronic lab notebooks, SOP compliance, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives in workflows and automation.
- Present data at team meetings and contribute to technical reports for governance and project progression.
- Mentor junior staff and support training in protein handling and QC techniques.
- Deliver purified proteins and conjugates to specification and timelines for multiple pipeline and technology projects for bioconjugates.
- Troubleshoot purification and conjugation challenges; propose solutions to improve yield and quality.
- Apply biophysical and biochemical characterization to assess protein quality, stability, and conjugation readiness.
- Collaborate closely with conjugation scientists, analytical teams, and project leads to ensure seamless integration of protein and conjugation workflows.
- Uphold data integrity standards; contribute to lab organization and process optimization.
- PhD in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology or related discipline.
- Strong foundation in protein expression, purification, and characterization; experience with bioconjugation is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with analytical techniques (SEC, HIC, RP‑HPLC, LC‑MS) and data interpretation.
- Hands‑on experience in protein biochemistry: expression systems (mammalian, bacterial), purification (affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion), and QC.
- Ability to learn and apply bioconjugation chemistries and workflows.
- Competence in analytical characterization and troubleshooting.
- Experience with scientific databases, e.g. Gendata Biologics.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
- Familiarity with high‑throughput, automated purification systems.
- Effective communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration and data presentation.
- Experience with structural biology or mechanistic studies of protein complexes.
- Direct experience with bioconjugates, for example, antibody‑drug and antibody‑peptide conjugates (ADCs and APCs).
- Exposure to complex biologics formats and developability assessments.
- Knowledge of AI/ML‑based approaches to protein design.
- Experience with scripting or data analysis tools (e.g. Python, R).
- Experience contributing to publications or patents.
Research Scientist - Protein Scientist in Newtown employer: AstraZeneca UK Limited
AstraZeneca is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our cutting-edge Discovery Centre on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the field of bioconjugates and protein sciences. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our supportive atmosphere, competitive benefits, and the chance to work alongside leading experts in drug discovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Scientist - Protein Scientist in Newtown
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of protein science and bioconjugation on platforms like LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend webinars, and don’t hesitate to ask for informational interviews – you never know where a conversation might lead!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or presentation that highlights your hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, and bioconjugation techniques. This will not only demonstrate your expertise but also give you a chance to discuss your work in detail during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses, especially around technical questions related to protein sciences and analytics. The more comfortable you are discussing your knowledge, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals like you. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and how you can contribute to our team at AstraZeneca.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Scientist - Protein Scientist in Newtown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Research Scientist role. Highlight your hands-on experience with protein expression, purification, and bioconjugation techniques. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about protein sciences and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or experiences.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since we value strong analytical capabilities, be sure to include examples of how you've used analytical techniques like SEC, HIC, or LC-MS in your previous work. We love data-driven candidates who can troubleshoot and optimise workflows!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca UK Limited
✨Know Your Proteins
Make sure you brush up on your protein expression, purification, and characterization techniques. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with bioconjugation and analytical methods like SEC and LC-MS. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in purification or conjugation workflows. Highlight any innovative solutions you've proposed to improve yield and quality. This demonstrates your ability to think critically and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated data and findings to different stakeholders, showcasing your teamwork skills.
✨Stay Organised and Detail-Oriented
Emphasise your strong organisational skills and attention to detail. Discuss how you maintain accurate electronic lab notebooks and ensure compliance with SOPs. This will reassure them that you can manage multiple tasks efficiently while upholding data integrity standards.
