Senior Scientist, Viral Vector Process Development, Upstream

AstraZeneca is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist, Viral Vector Process Development (Upstream). The candidate will play a critical role in building and leading a high-performing team that accelerates AstraZeneca’s emerging Cell Therapy modalities portfolio. You will design, execute, and optimize upstream Lentiviral Vector (LVV) processes with a primary focus on suspension bioreactor platforms at clinical and commercial scales. You will contribute hands-on to experimental design, process characterization, and scale-up/tech transfer activities from research through IND enabling, partnering closely with Research, Analytical Development, CMC, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Quality, and external CDMOs. This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Upstream Process Development: Plan and perform experiments to develop and optimize LVV upstream processes for suspension cell culture (transient or stable producer cell systems), targeting improvements in titer, quality, robustness, and cost. 

• Bioreactor Operations & Scale Translation: Execute unit operations across seed, production, and harvest interfaces; support scale-up strategies from bench to pilot and clinical scales; develop and use scale-down models for characterization and comparability. 

• Experimental Design & Data Analysis: Design DOE studies, identify CPPs/CMAs, analyze data, and propose control strategies; document results in protocols and reports; maintain fit forpurpose knowledge records. 

• Process Characterization & Control: Contribute to definition of design space, in-process controls, and operating ranges; trend process performance and drive troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions. 

• Tech Transfer & GMP Interface: Prepare technical transfer packages and support transfers to internal GMP sites and CDMOs; align process documentation with cGMP principles for late-stage readiness. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Analytical Development on assay readiness and in process testing; partner with Manufacturing, Supply, and Quality to ensure operational feasibility and compliance. 

• Operational Excellence: Apply Lean practices and digital tools for scheduling, data integrity, and reproducibility; track KPIs (titer, infectivity, impurity profiles, cycle time, right first time) and recommend improvements. 

Qualifications 

• Education: PhD in Biology, Virology, Biotechnology, or related field with 2–5 years of relevant industry experience; or MS with 5–8 years; or BS with 8–10 years. Title will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

• Experience: Handson experience developing suspension-based LVV upstream processes; familiarity with clinical/commercial scale considerations, process characterization, and technology transfer. 

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in suspension cell culture, transfection/infection strategies, media/feed optimization, singleuse