Title: Scientist High Throughput Screening Location: Central Cambridge Salary: Competitive We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist to join our collaborative High Throughput Screening team, the only department within our world-leading pharmaceutical business which focuses unequivocally on hit identification of small molecules - giving our scientists unrivalled exposure to the drug discovery process in a culture that fosters true collaboration and open innovation. Who we are Within Discovery Sciences, the High Throughput Screening (HTS) group’s core purpose is to deliver small molecules that are active against a disease target of interest. These will be provided to project teams to initiate medicinal chemistry campaigns as a starting point for developing human therapeutics. This is achieved using advanced robotics to rapidly test up to 2M compounds through cell, biochemical or biophysical assays. Bespoke triage cascades need to be designed and implemented to build confidence in the quality of the hits. Introduction to the role: In a lab-based capacity, you’ll be tasked with delivering excellence in data generation for drug targets using cellular and biochemical assays using ana state-of-art robotic systems.. This incorporates aiding design of a project’s hit identification strategy and triage cascade, close cooperation with key groups in assay development and reagent supply and prosecution of the screening campaign. You’ll be responsible for guiding which assay technologies to apply for screening and supporting assay development colleagues to confirm they’re fit for purpose. You’ll further optimise the assays to ensure they work at large scale before profiling AstraZeneca’s compound collection to identify active compounds. Accountabilities: Working closely with other HTS members and teams associated with the project, the role will take responsibility for delivering these screens in line with departmental and project needs. These projects will be prosecuted on behalf of all therapy areas within AstraZeneca including CVRM, Oncology and R&I or, in partnership with external collaborators. Deliver HTS discovery projects in the laboratory as part of a team. Progress projects into and through the HTS portfolio taking responsibility for its successful delivery within agreed timelines Collaborating with relevant teams (cellular and protein reagents, assay development etc) to coordinate that the delivery of their activities occurs in line with HTS and project needs Representing HTS at the project team level communicating progress and issues effectively with the wider team members e.g. project lead, therapy area representatives, medicinal and computational chemists etc. Transferring assays into HTS from the assay development groups and optimising the assays to function at scale. Performing comprehensive assay validation, delivering screening of up to 2M small molecule compounds and confirming actives in concentration response format through all relevant cascade assays Contributing to the troubleshooting of technical issues with assays and technologies via planning, execution and analysis of appropriate experimentation Working closely with HTS colleagues, including the automation team and engineers, to support delivery of the broader portfolio of projects within HTS In conjunction with the automation team, utilising the large automated robotic platforms to optimise and deliver screening activities Analyse large datasets using appropriate statistical methods to ensure high quality data. Essential Criteria BSc or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent laboratory scientific practical experience in applying cell or biochemical assays for screening of small molecules or other modalities Experience in cellular or biochemical screening technologies (e.g. FRET, reporter gene assay) Proven ability to solve scientific problems and troubleshoot technical issues Excellent team working skills with ability to effectively interact and influence across multiple different groups Agile at learning new concepts and adapting to new technologies, projects and collaborators Ability to work independently and prioritise own workload within the larger team environment to deliver department and project requirements Outstanding organisational and communication skills Desirable Criteria PhD in relevant scientific discipline or industry experience Strong cell/biochemistry assay development experience and ability to drive the practical application of new approaches to screening and drug discovery Previous experience in small molecule drug discovery/ delivery of small molecule and/or fragment-based screening Understanding of the analysis and interpretation of large screening datasets Experience with technology-rich lab environments and automation/robotics So, what’s next? We welcome your application no later than 6th February 2025 Where can I find out more? Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/ Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/ Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hlen Are you ready to make a difference? Apply today and join us in our mission to improve global public health In April 2024, the Home Office increased the salary threshold requirements for Skilled Worker Visas to £38,700 – If you require a skilled worker visa, please be advised that the base salary range for this role may not meet the minimum salary requirement. To be eligible to apply for this role you must be able to provide your right to work in the UK. We will be reviewing applications and shortlisting on a rolling basis - as such we reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy ahead of the stated closing date Date Posted 23-Jan-2025 Closing Date 05-Feb-2025 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.