At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and produce recombinant proteins to revolutionise cancer therapies.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a leader in innovative cancer treatment solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with diverse experts and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient outcomes through cutting-edge science.
- Qualifications: BSc or higher in a relevant field with lab experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Cambridge, UK
Salary: Competitive with excellent benefits!
Introduction to role: Are you ready to turn recombinant protein design into therapies that change the way cancer is treated? In this laboratory-based role, you will deliver high-quality antigens that fuel our biologics discovery portfolio and help move promising ideas into the clinic. Your work will directly enable teams to evaluate novel modalities and make faster, better-informed decisions for patients.
As a Senior Scientist in Protein and Cell Sciences, you will design, express, purify and characterize recombinant proteins that underpin antibody discovery and other biologics programs. You will use modern computational tools alongside rigorous experimental methods to ensure the proteins you produce behave as intended. Can you see your experiments influencing cross-functional strategy in real time? This is the bench where that happens.
Accountabilities:
- Recombinant Antigen Design: Apply computational structural biology (including AlphaFold and ProteinMPNN) to design target proteins that are fit-for-purpose for discovery and development.
- Expression Vector Engineering: Design recombinant expression vectors using standard molecular biology techniques; optimize constructs for expression and stability.
- Protein Production: Express and purify recombinant proteins using bacterial and transient mammalian systems (E.coli, HEK, CHO), building robust, scalable methods and standard operating procedures that improve throughput and reproducibility.
- Functional Characterization: Develop and deploy assays to monitor protein expression, function and quality (e.g. SDS-PAGE, analytical SEC, ELISA, cell based assays, OCTET), ensuring integrity and suitability for downstream applications.
- Data, Documentation and Insight: Make detailed observations, analyze data and interpret results; maintain rigorous electronic laboratory notebooks and databases to create a reliable evidence base for decision-making.
- Collaboration and Communication: Report and present findings to project teams and the department; contribute scientific judgment that shapes early- and late-stage therapeutic programs.
- Continuous Improvement: Troubleshoot experimental processes and apply automation in molecular biology and protein expression to reduce cycle times and increase consistency.
Essential Skills/Experience:
- BSc or higher degree with lab-based experience
- Practical knowledge and demonstrable technical skills in molecular biology, cell culture, transient protein expression and protein purification
- Computational structural biology knowledge enabling recombinant protein (antigen) design – use of AlphaFold, ProteinMPNN and related computational methods
- Practical knowledge of developing and deploying assays to monitor/assess protein expression, function and quality (e.g. SDS-PAGE, analytical SEC, ELISA, cell based assays, OCTET).
- Excellent communication, capable of developing good working relationships with individuals in team; experience working within a team environment
- Ability to maintain accurate experimental records, databases and use/develop standard operating protocols
- Demonstrable ability to troubleshoot experimental processes relating to protein expression and purification
- Application of automation to laboratory processes in areas of molecular biology and protein expression
Desirable Skills/Experience:
- Experience designing recombinant expression vectors and producing proteins in bacterial and transient mammalian systems (E.coli, HEK, CHO)
- Experience building robust methods and standard operating procedures for protein production
- Experience developing assays for recombinant protein functionality and integrity
- Experience with electronic laboratory notebooks and data systems
- Experience reporting and presenting results to project teams
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional colleagues and external outsourcing partners
Why AstraZeneca: Here, science meets bold collaboration to deliver meaningful outcomes for people living with cancer. You will learn from diverse experts who blend academic rigor with industrial scale, working with cutting-edge computational tools and rich data to push biologics forward. We bring unexpected teams into the same room to unleash inventive thinking, value kindness alongside ambition, and empower individuals to take smart risks—so your contribution at the bench connects to real change in the clinic.
So, what's next? Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you. If you’re ready to craft high-impact recombinant proteins and see your science translate into therapies, step into this role and help shape the next wave of oncology biologics.
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 Scientist; Protein and Cell Sciences in Cambridge employer: AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, particularly in the vibrant city of Cambridge. With access to cutting-edge technology and a commitment to employee growth, you will work alongside diverse experts dedicated to transforming cancer treatment through meaningful scientific advancements. The company values kindness and ambition, empowering you to take smart risks while contributing to impactful therapies that change lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist; Protein and Cell Sciences in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at AstraZeneca on LinkedIn. A friendly message can go a long way in getting insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their recent projects. Show us you’re not just interested in the role, but also in how your work can impact their mission in oncology.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! We want to hear about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Make it engaging and relevant to what AstraZeneca is doing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist; Protein and Cell Sciences in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your practical knowledge and technical skills in molecular biology and protein purification. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role, so don’t hold back!
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, be specific about the techniques and tools you've used, like AlphaFold or ELISA. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our team right from the start.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we love a professional tone, don’t forget to let your personality shine through! Share your passion for science and how it drives you to make a difference in cancer treatment.
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 and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Know Your Proteins
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of recombinant proteins and the techniques mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with molecular biology, protein expression, and purification methods. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical skills to back it up.
✨Showcase Your Computational Skills
Since computational structural biology is a key part of the role, be prepared to talk about your experience with tools like AlphaFold and ProteinMPNN. Bring examples of how you've applied these tools in past projects, and be ready to discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to assay development and protein characterization techniques such as SDS-PAGE and ELISA. Practise explaining these processes clearly and concisely, as this will demonstrate your expertise and ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, so highlight your teamwork experiences. Share specific examples of how you’ve collaborated with others in the lab or across departments, and how your contributions helped shape project outcomes. This will show that you can thrive in a collaborative environment.
