Senior Scientist

Job Title: Senior Scientist – Analytics & Mass Spec 

Location: Cambridge, MA 

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet unmet patient needs worldwide. Working here means being ambitious, thinking big, and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person. 

About the Site 

Our Kendall Square site in Cambridge, MA is part of AstraZeneca’s vibrant R&D community and brings together world-class scientific talent, innovative technologies, and collaborative ways of working to discover and develop life-changing medicines for patients around the world. Located in one of the world’s leading biotechnology hubs, the site is designed to foster cross-functional teamwork, scientific innovation, and operational excellence. 

Summary of the Group 

Biologics Engineering (BE) is a large global organization with teams in Cambridge, MA, Gaithersburg, MD and Cambridge, UK, responsible for the discovery and optimization of next-generation biologics to create biological drug candidates across key therapeutic areas. 

Main Duties & Responsibilities 

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Senior Scientist to join the Analytics & Mass Spec Group within the multidisciplinary Protein Analytics & Developability team. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing our capabilities in high throughput intact protein analysis, peptide mapping for post-translational modification, and analytical and developability assessment. Reporting to the Associate Director of the Analytics & Mass Spec Group, the Senior Scientist will work closely with a multidisciplinary team to support various stages of our pipeline projects and give to the enhancement of our technology platforms through mass spectrometry and analytical techniques. 

• Perform and optimize high-throughput (HT) intact protein analysis, including data acquisition, data processing, and reporting for discovery-stage biologics such as antibodies, multispecifics, and various protein reagents. 

• Develop and apply advanced analytical tools, focusing on mass spectrometry and chromatography-based techniques, to characterize discovery-stage biotherapeutics, facilitating critical decision-making. 

• Design and implement peptide mapping assays for protein characterization to support the developability assessment of pipeline projects. 

• Conduct analytical methods to deeply characterize the biophysical and biochemical properties of discovery-stage biologics.   

• Collaborate with the Protein Analytics and Developability team to refine HT assay workflows, ensuring accuracy and reliability in data collection and interpretation. 

• Analyze and interpret complex datasets, providing insights to drive decision-making in pipeline projects. 

• Stay at the forefront of technological advancements in mass spectrometry and other analytical technologies, integrating innovative solutions to enhance current workflows. 

• Participate in cross-functional project teams, giving technical expertise to inform project strategies and directions. 

• Draft technical reports and supply to scientific publications, patents, and regulatory submissions as necessary. 

• Mentor junior scientists in experimental design and data analysis to cultivate a collaborative and productive research environment. 

Required Skills:  

• Confirmed expertise in LC-MS (ThermoFisher Orbitrap, Agilent QTOF) and software platforms, including Protein Metrics Suite, BioPharma Finder and PEAKS, for intact mass deconvolution, peptide mapping analysis, post-translational modifications (PTMs), characterization of charge variants, and disulfide mapping. 

• Hands-on experience with a wide variety of analytical methods for protein characterization, including but not limited to LC-MS, HIC, SEC, cIEF, IEX, CE-SDS, DLS, DSC, DSF and ELISA. 

• Experience in assay troubleshooting and optimization, with a strong understanding of assay development and execution. 

• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical methods for interpreting complex biological data. 

• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills to convey technical information clearly and succinctly. 

• AI-fluent, with the ability to use AI tools effectively to support data analysis, interpretation, workflow efficiency, and scientific communication. 

Desired Skills :

• Hands-on experience with additional high-throughput, plate-based protein analytical and biophysical techniques, instrumentation, and automation platforms. 

• Programming and software skills, including Python, MATLAB, PyMOL and Maestro. 

• Hands-on experience with AI/ML methods (e.g., supervised learning, statistical modeling, and automation) to support advanced analytical workflows and data-driven decision-making. 

• Experience working in a global, cross-site research environment. 

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements 

• BS with 5+ years of relevant experience 

• MS with 3+ years of relevant experience 

• PhD with relevant experience 

Relevant fields include: 

• Scientific disciplines: biochemistry, molecular biology, or related fields 

• Computational disciplines: computer science or related fields (with the necessary mass spectrometry background) 

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $116,284.00 - $174,426.00. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.