Scientist, Bioscience – Cell & Mechanistic Biology

Driven by science and collaboration, you will help advance innovative therapies for patients with haematological cancers. Join Acerta Pharma, part of AstraZeneca, and contribute to cutting-edge oncology research in an international environment where your expertise and ideas are valued.

Scientist, Bioscience – Cell & Mechanistic Biology

(Haematology Oncology / Small Molecules)

Location: Pivot Park Oss -> Amsterdam UMC Campus (from early 2027)

Full time | 40 hours per week

At Acerta Pharma, part of the AstraZeneca group, we are driven by one mission: transforming the lives of patients with haematological cancers through groundbreaking science and innovative therapies.

As we expand our research footprint in the Netherlands, we are building toward an exciting new chapter — the launch of the AstraZeneca Netherlands R&D hub in Amsterdam in early 2027. Until then, you will work from our state-of-the-art facilities in Oss before transitioning to our new Amsterdam UMC campus location.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing oncology research organisation at a pivotal moment and help shape the future of oncology drug discovery, developing novel therapies for haematological malignancies.

The role
As a Scientist in Bioscience, with expertise in cell and molecular biology, you will support haematology-oncology drug discovery programs across our Oss and future Amsterdam sites.

You will design and execute innovative cell-based assays that drive the design-make-test-analyze (DMTA) cycle, while leading mechanistic studies to uncover compound mechanisms of action and pathway biology.

We are particularly interested in candidates with strong hands-on expertise in flow cytometry, including multicolor panel design, assay development, and high-dimensional data analysis.

The ideal candidate combines excellent laboratory skills with scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and a passion for translating complex biological data into meaningful insights.

Experience in haematology-oncology research and pharmaceutical drug discovery is highly valued.

What you’ll be doing 
• Develop and optimise flow cytometry assays, including multicolor panel design, gating strategies, and cellular profiling

• Design and validate cell-based assays to support proliferation, pathway activation, target engagement, and degradation studies

• Perform mechanistic studies using CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi, and pharmacological approaches to investigate compound activity and pathway biology

• Work with haematology-oncology disease models, including AML, CLL, MM, co-culture systems, and 3D/spheroid models

• Apply molecular biology techniques such as cloning, qPCR, Western blotting, and immunoassays

• Analyse and interpret complex biological datasets and translate findings into clear scientific recommendations

• Maintain accurate ELN documentation and present results to multidisciplinary project teams

• Support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and guidance of junior scientists where appropriate

What you bring
•    MSc in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, or a related field, or a relevant Bachelor/HBO degree with 5+ years of industry experience in drug discovery and cell biology

•    Experience within biotech or pharma environments supporting DMTA-driven discovery programs

•    Strong hands-on expertise in flow cytometry, cellular assay development, and biological data analysis

•    Experience with general cell and mol bio techniques (tissue culture, western, qPCR)

•    Strong scientific reasoning skills, a structured way of working, and excellent collaboration and communication skills

Fluency in English and willingness to work in Oss until the transition to Amsterdam in early 2027

Please note: this role is intended for candidates with a BSc or MSc background. A PhD profile will not be a suitable match due to the hands-on and operational focus of the position.

Preferred Qualifications
•    3–5 years of advanced flow cytometry experience in complex biological systems 

•    Experience with high-parameter panel design, compensation strategies, and cell sorting 

•    Experience with haematology-oncology models, primary patient samples, or 3D/spheroid systems is considered a plus

•    Familiarity with major cytometry platforms (e.g. BD systems), including troubleshooting and maintenance 

•    Expertise in CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi, cloning, qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA/HTRF, or reporter assays 

•    Hands-on experience with AML, CLL, MM, or related haematological models 

•    Experience working with primary patient samples and human materials under ethical and biosafety frameworks 

•    Experience with with 3D/spheroid cultures and live-cell imaging platforms such as Incucyte 

What we offer
•    A dynamic, international research environment where your work can directly impact patients’ lives 

•    The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge oncology drug discovery at a growing AstraZeneca R&D hub 

•    A collaborative and highly skilled team culture where learning and knowledge-sharing are encouraged 

•    Excellent opportunities for professional growth and career development 

Important information
You are:
•    Currently living and working within the EU 

•    Preferably in possession of an EU passport due to onboarding and permit timelines 

•    Willing to work onsite in Oss until the move to Amsterdam UMC in early 2027 

Please note: relocation support is unfortunately not available for this role.

What do we offer you?

•    A dynamic, innovative, international working environment, where you can be part of the development of new medicines that can make a difference to patients' lives

•    The opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and modern analytical techniques 

•    Competitive salary and secondary benefits including 8% holiday allowance, 27 holidays on a full-time basis. Additional: office closure between X-mas and New Year + Good Friday + day after Ascencion day. 

•    Collective pension with a fixed percentage personal contribution

•    Bonus scheme

•    Vitality of our colleagues is important to us, which is why you can exercise at a discount or make use of our bicycle plan.

•    Support for potential extra travelling costs during the transition period when working at the Oss site.

  
About AstraZeneca Oncology R&D, Amsterdam  
At AstraZeneca Amsterdam, we bring together two research groups, in haemato-oncology and next-generation cell therapy research. Together, they form our Oncology R&D hub in the Netherlands, working closely with colleagues in the US, Canada, Spain and the UK, to develop innovative treatments for patients with cancer.  

Our haematology R&D group was born as Acerta Pharma, one of the Netherlands’ greatest biotech success stories. Its small-molecule BTK inhibitor has been approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). In Amsterdam approximately 100 colleagues continue the development of new therapies for haematological malignancies under the AstraZeneca brand name.  

 AstraZeneca’s Cell Therapy R&D team focuses on developing next-generation T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies targeting neoantigens in solid tumors. With a team of around 75 scientists, we work on both fully individualized and shared neo-antigen approaches, with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with cancer.  

Our oncology research and development hub is anchored by our new state-of-the-art laboratories in OneHelix and the adjacent Plus Ultra Amsterdam building, both located on the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC) campus. Our hub is firmly positioned at the heart of the Dutch research community network, creating new opportunities for our people, our science, and the patients we work to transform outcomes for.   

  
Apply:  
If you have any questions about this vacancy, our Recruitment Team Karin Raadschelders and Caroline van Oppen are happy to answer your questions. You can contact them via info@werkenbijacertapharma.nl or by phone on +31(0)85 - 047 0244.  

We don’t work with a fixed closing date: The vacancy will remain online until we have concluded the process.

Please apply immediately – we start up the selection process straight away.
  
 

Date Posted

26-May-2026

Closing Date

08-Jun-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.