Senior Scientist, Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences

Senior Scientist (Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences)

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.

Introduction to the Team:

Join our Biopharmaceutical Development group, a multi-disciplinary scientific function providing expertise in process/analytical/formulation/devices development and characterization with integrated bioprocess engineering, clinical manufacturing, and supply chain and logistics operations. The group is also responsible for transferring the processes to different commercial sites in and outside the AstraZeneca organization.

The Cell Culture and Fermentation Sciences (CCFS) Group is accountable for designing, developing, optimizing, and validating cell culture and fermentation processes for a wide range of biologic products. The group generates optimal cell lines and is also responsible for technology transfers into manufacturing and preparing CMC documentation for regulatory submissions. Cutting edge high throughput scale-down models are employed to develop high-performing media and processes to support production. The group actively implements novel technologies, including automation and analytics, to advance production platform capabilities and drive forward a diverse exciting project portfolio.

What you’ll do

As a Senior Scientist in the Cell Culture & Fermentation Sciences group, you will work alongside a team of experienced bioprocess development scientists supporting projects across our portfolio. You will develop and optimize mammalian cell culture seed train, bioreactor process, and implement state-of-the-art process technology, including process analytical technology (PAT). You will also develop and improve cell culture media and nutrient feed. Your role will involve designing experiments and the statistical analysis of data. You will support technology transfers to clinical and commercial manufacturing sites including Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and be responsible for authoring and reviewing development reports and contributing to regulatory filings such as IND and BLA. Your role will also involve presentations at internal departmental and cross-functional meetings and external scientific meetings, as well as contributions to scientific publications and patents. In addition, you will engage with the Data Science and Modeling group to transform our ways of working, identify areas for improvement in existing laboratory automation, informatics tools, and workflows using novel cell culture technologies. The position may require weekend work.

Education & Experience Requirements:

Education: BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related field

Experience: BS degree and 7 years exp, MS degree and 5 years exp, or a PhD and 0 years of relevant industry experience

Essentials for the Role:

• Experience in cell culture and bioreactor operation

• Strong background in experimental design and data analysis with the ability to evaluate and interpret complex data sets

• Solid understanding of biochemical engineering concepts and biochemical pathways

• Excellent teamwork and communication skills including proven technical writing skills

• Capability in making independent decisions

• Ability to handle multiple projects and / or tasks concurrently in a fast-paced environment

Desirable for the Role:

• Knowledge of design of experiment (DOE)

• Data analysis and visualization using statistical analysis software such as JMP

• Data analytics modeling, simulation, and prediction to i