Senior Scientist – Ex Vivo Patient-Derived Platforms & FACS

About AstraZeneca 

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals. Our mission is to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. 

Position Overview 

We are seeking an exceptional Senior Scientist to join our Oncology Translational Science team. This role will focus on advancing our understanding of tumor immunology and therapeutic response through sophisticated ex vivo patient-derived platforms and multi-parameter flow cytometry. The ideal candidate will drive innovation in assay development, lead translational research initiatives for Tier 1 assets, and contribute to predictive biomarker strategies that bridge preclinical findings with clinical outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities 

Ex Vivo Platform Development & Execution 

• Lead end-to-end workflows for patient-derived tumor platforms including PDTF (patient-derived tumor fragments) and tissue slice cultures 

• Design and execute ex vivo pharmacodynamic profiling studies to evaluate AstraZeneca and competitor therapeutic candidates 

• Establish robust tumor/immune cell co-culture systems to assess therapeutic efficacy, including cytotoxicity, immune cell activation, and target engagement 

• Process and analyze primary patient specimens with meticulous attention to sample integrity and experimental reproducibility 

Advanced Flow Cytometry & Immunophenotyping 

• Design, optimize, and implement high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry panels (20-30+ colors) for comprehensive immune profiling of patient tumors 

• Conduct antigen density quantification, intracellular signaling assessments, and functional immune cell characterization 

• Perform single-cell sorting, fluorescent antibody labeling, and specialized applications including trogocytosis and proliferation assays 

• Utilize platforms including Cytek Aurora, BD FACSymphony, and other state-of-the-art cytometry instruments 

Assay Development & Optimization 

• Develop and validate novel flow cytometry-based assays to evaluate immune cell function, T-cell modulation, and therapeutic mechanisms of action 

• Optimize cellular assays including cytotoxicity, phosphorylation, proliferation, and cytokine secretion readouts 

• Generate stable cell lines using lentiviral transduction and electroporation-based methods for target validation and assay development 

• Establish CAR-T cell generation protocols and functional evaluation pipelines 

Translational Research & Data Integration 

• Integrate multi-modal readouts (flow cytometry, cytokine profiling, target engagement) to provide comprehensive pharmacodynamic assessments 

• Develop predictive models linking ex vivo responses to clinical outcomes, supporting patient stratification strategies 

• Collaborate with computational biology teams to build machine learning pipelines for therapy response prediction 

• Contribute scientific findings to regulatory submissions (IND), publications, and patent applications 

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership 

• Partner with Discovery, Clinical Development, and Biomarker teams to align translational strategies with program objectives 

• Serve as the ex vivo platform subject matter expert for oncology programs, particularly novel immune engagers and targeted therapies 

• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance on complex immunological assays 

• Present data at internal reviews, cross-functional meetings, and external scientific conferences 

Required Qualifications 

Education: 

• MS in Immunology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology or related discipline with 5+ years of experience, or BS with 10+ years of relevant pharmaceutical/biotechnology research experience  

Technical Expertise: 

• Expert-level proficiency in multi-parameter flow cytometry including panel design, spectral cytometry, intracellular staining, and cell sorting 

• Demonstrated experience with ex vivo patient-derived tumor platforms (PDTF, tissue slices, or organoids) 

• Strong background in tumor immunology, immune cell biology, and cancer drug discovery 

• Hands-on expertise in T-cell functional assays, tumor/immune co-cultures, and primary cell isolation/enrichment 

• Proficiency in stable cell line generation using lentiviral or electroporation methods 

• Experience with cytokine detection platforms (ELISA, MSD) and cellular viability/cytotoxicity assays 

Data Analysis & Documentation: 

• Advanced skills in flow cytometry analysis software (FlowJo, SpectroFlo, BD FACSDiva) 

• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization (GraphPad Prism or equivalent) 

• Excellent technical writing skills for protocols, SOPs, study reports, and regulatory documentation 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting IND submissions and regulatory filings 

• Track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals 

• Familiarity with bispecific antibodies, immune engagers (T-cell, NK-cell, neutrophil), or CAR-T therapies 

• Experience with machine learning approaches for biomarker discovery 

• Knowledge of GLP/GCP principles and quality systems 

Key Competencies 

• Scientific Innovation: Ability to develop novel methodologies and adapt emerging technologies to address complex biological questions 

• Problem-Solving: Creative approach to troubleshooting experimental challenges and optimizing assay performance 

• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams 

• Communication: Clear and concise presentation of complex data to diverse audiences 

• Project Management: Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously 

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous experimental execution and comprehensive documentation practices 

What We Offer 

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge Tier 1 oncology assets with potential to transform patient outcomes 

• Access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and technology platforms 

• Collaborative, science-driven culture that values innovation and scientific rigor 

• Competitive compensation package including salary, bonus, equity, and comprehensive benefits 

• Professional development opportunities and clear career progression pathways 

AstraZeneca's Commitment 

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.