Scientist, Protein Science & Analytics, Biologics Engineering

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., We are seeking a Senior Scientist to provide mass spectrometry expertise in support of biologics drug discovery and technology development across multiple therapy areas. In this primarily lab-based role, you will be reponsible for mass spectrometry method development and the characterisation of novel antigens and biologic molecules, collaborating within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality data and clear scientific insight. Within Biologics Engineering, analytical data drives decisions to ensure our molecules are the right quality, cross-functional teams spark innovation, and your expertise will help accelerate medicines to patients. Accountabilities

• Design, development and execution of mass spectrometry experiments for biologic drug discovery or technology development projects including intact mass analysis, peptide mapping analysis and native MS. Ability to apply knowledge of antibody post-translational modifications to guide experimental design and data interpretation.
• Background in additional biophysical characterisation techniques including chromatography techniques (HPLC, UPLC, Ion-Exchange & Reverse-Phase methods) and SEC-MALS.
• Practical experience in Hydrogen Deuterium eXchange -MS (HDX-MS), with expertise in some of its applications: protein folding, protein dynamics, protein interactions or conformational characterisation studies.
• Knowledge and experience in the operation and maintenance of mass spectrometry instrumentation.
• Ability to effectively analyse analytical data, make detailed observations, and interpret results while tailoring methods to project needs and solving diverse assay challenges. Understands the implications of the data for the drug discovery process and communicates actionable next steps.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Understands and applies principles, theories and techniques used in mass spectrometry for characterisation of proteins.
• Pro-actively contributes to development of new analytical characterisation methods and shows enthusiasm for adopting new technologies and automation
• Prepares high quality documentation including electronic laboratory notebooks, contributions to patents and IND reports and conducts work according to current codes of practice (health and safety legislation, etc.) and all other relevant internal AstraZeneca standards and external regulations.
• Presents clear and concise findings at internal (intra- and inter-departmental) project team and community of practice meetings.
• Builds and leverages strong working relationships with other departments (e.g. Discovery Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Development) to enable effective collaboration and project milestone delivery.

• PhD in life sciences, with postdoctoral experience (or equivalent working experience) with proven lab-based experience in mass spectrometry techniques.
• Experience in devising and running mass spectrometry experiments; analysing data using software packages and interpretation of results.
• Familiary with mass spectrometry instrumentation & troubleshooting
• Track record of contributions to technology and process improvements.
• Strong communicator, capable of developing good working relationships with individuals across organisational boundaries.
• Experience in working within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Has scientific curiosity and proactively develops knowledge.
• Acts with integrity and does the right thing.
• Attention to detail.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in other complimentary biophysical or structural biology techniques (i.e SPR, NMR, cryoEM, or others).
• Industry experience working on early-stage antibody drug discovery, antibody formats or other novel modalities (i.e multi specific mAbs).
• Familiaraity with Genedata Biologics for molecule registration and data management.
• Experience developing or using bioinformatics workflows and integrated data analysis platforms
• Experience implementing laboratory automation and higher-throughput process improvements to enhance efficiency, robustness, and reproducibility.

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.