At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to develop innovative bioconjugates and advance drug discovery.
- Company: AstraZeneca, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals with a focus on life-changing medicines.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cancer treatment using cutting-edge technology and collaborative science.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and hands-on experience in protein biochemistry.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Cambridge, UK
Salary: Competitive with excellent benefits!
Introduction to the Role: 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.
About the Role: 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.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
- 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.
Education & Experience Requirements:
- 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.
Required Skills:
- 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.
Desired Skills:
- 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.
Why AstraZeneca:
AstraZeneca is a science-led, global biopharmaceutical company, with a focused portfolio in core therapies. At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines. We are committed to improving the health and lives of people across the globe, through our research and development platform, and a growing late-stage pipeline. Working in over 100 countries, we have strength in emerging markets, and our medicines are used by millions of patients and clinicians worldwide. Working here means being results-oriented and working together to make the impossible a reality. Here you will apply cutting-edge biophysics, automation, and AI-enabled analytics to help transform the future of cancer treatment. We unite decisive, science-driven teams who act fast on smart risks, speak up, and challenge convention—always guided by evidence. With a deep pipeline and unparalleled data, you will collaborate with diverse experts, learn across disciplines, and see your work directly influence how new medicines move forward. We value kindness alongside ambition, and we bring unexpected teams together to unleash bold thinking that turns complex problems into meaningful progress for patients.
So, what's next?
Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
Where can I find out more?
Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn, Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook, Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram.
Date Posted: 03-Jun-2026
Closing Date: 16-Jun-2026
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.
Senior Research Scientist – Protein Scientist in Cambridge employer: AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant Cambridge Biomedical Campus, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide access to cutting-edge resources and training opportunities, enabling our team members to thrive in their careers while contributing to life-changing medicines. Our inclusive environment values diverse perspectives, ensuring that every voice is heard and every idea has the potential to make a significant impact on global health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Scientist – Protein Scientist in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their work in bioconjugates and protein sciences. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role of Senior Research Scientist. Highlight your hands-on expertise in protein expression and purification, and don’t forget to mention any analytical techniques you’re familiar with.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at AstraZeneca. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a real impact in the field!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Scientist – Protein Scientist in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Research Scientist role. Highlight your experience in protein expression, purification, and bioconjugation. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects or achievements that showcase your expertise.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since the role involves a lot of data-driven work, be sure to highlight your analytical skills. Mention any experience you have with techniques like SEC, HIC, or LC-MS, and how you've used data to solve problems in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Know Your Proteins
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of protein expression, purification, and characterization. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used, especially in bioconjugation. This will show that you have the hands-on experience they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to talk about your familiarity with analytical techniques like SEC, HIC, and LC-MS. Bring examples of how you've applied these methods in past projects, as this will demonstrate your ability to contribute to their data-driven optimisation efforts.
✨Collaboration is Key
AstraZeneca values teamwork, so be ready to share experiences where you collaborated with cross-functional teams. Highlight any mentoring roles you've taken on, as they’re looking for someone who can support junior staff and contribute to a positive team environment.
✨Stay Organised and Detail-Oriented
Discuss how you manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Mention any tools or systems you use to maintain data integrity and lab organisation, as this aligns with their emphasis on process optimisation and quality control.
