Senior Scientist, BPD

Senior Scientist, BPD

Do you have a passion for Science? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, 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 AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD:

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world.  This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the most cutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration.

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-service cafeteria, and copy center. This is where you’ll find newly designed, activity-based workspaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.

Summary of the group: 

The Biotechnology and Engineering team is working to develop and apply new technologies to manufacturing life-changing biologics in multiple therapeutic areas. As a Senior Scientist in Bioprocess Technology and Engineering (BTE), you would join a team developing AstraZeneca’s Next Generation Manufacturing Platform.

Typical Accountabilities:

• Applies technical knowledge and expertise to achieve project targets in a timely fashion and to agreed quality standards

• Develops and maintains a level of scientific knowledge and capability, perhaps extending to specialist expertise in a specific area of work

• Represents specialism on relevant projects teams, ensuring the provision of appropriate and timely data to the team

• Independently, designs and carries out analytical studies and experiments that require expert knowledge, and develops and validates appropriate test methodology and specifications to achieve project aims

• Independently, assesses and reports data with a clear understanding of its reliability, interprets findings and draws authoritative conclusions and recommendations so that their significance can be appreciated

• Provides training /guidance to junior scientists on technical and functional processes

• Helps to develop new and innovative techniques and methodologies and draws up relevant investigations

• Liaises with colleagues from other disciplines with the purpose of discussing project-related matters, sharing experiences, and reporting progress

• Contributes to the management of external collaborations, e.g. consultants and contract research organizations

• Uses own knowledge and expertise to input into management decisions about channeling resources to reduce risk associated with inappropriate investment decisions

• Develops own level of scientific competence by keeping abreast of relevant scientific developments, by collaborating with peer scientists or through contacts with external groups

• Ensures that work is performed in accordance with appropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), quality and compliance standards, e.g. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Essential Skills/Experience

• Education: BS, MS, or PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutics, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related field

• Experience: BS degree with 4+, MS with 2+, or a PhD and O+ years of related experience in biopharmaceutical industry/academic lab

• Experience with perfusion cell culture separation processes desired.  

• Tangential flow filtration scale and development experience desired.

• Experience with continuous integrated bio-manufacturing is preferred

• Understanding of current principles and concepts in own area of work

• Understanding of regulations and relevant compliance systems related to own area of work

• General understanding of other Discovery / R&D disciplines and their role in achieving the objectives of research area

• Understanding of patent and IP issues

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Specialist knowledge in a specific area related to Chemistry Key Relationship to reach solutions

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

At AstraZeneca, we thrive on tackling unknowns and embracing change. Our dynamic environment fosters resilience and innovation, making every achievement even more rewarding. We are dedicated to improving patients' lives through groundbreaking research and collaboration across all our Therapy Areas. Here, your contributions are valued, visible, and impactful.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team!

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $107,244 to $160,867. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.