Senior Scientist, Translational Proteomics

Senior Scientist, Translational Proteomics

Gaithersburg, MD

Do you have expertise in, and passion for, Histology, Tissue Imaging, and Clinical Biomarker Development? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact the clinical development of oncology drugs with innovative biomarkers in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. A place built on courage, curiosity and collaboration – we make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take smart risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline and Oncology team. Make a meaningful impact that brings real benefits to society. By applying your knowledge of data, you will help to redefine our industry and ultimately save lives. Work with experts who share a common goal: to accelerate the potential of medicines and the science of tomorrow.

This Opportunity

Translational Proteomics is a part of the Cancer Biomarker Development (CBD) in Oncology R&D. The team supports early-phase clinical studies with focus on innovative biomarker solutions to understand why, and identify which, patients benefit from particular treatments, what doses and schedules of treatments to use and the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to treatment. Join the team that develops ground breaking technologies that directly impact on patient lives.

Accountabilities

As a Scientist, you will be responsible for biobanking, sample accessioning, slide digitization, image analysis and tumor cell enrichment of tissue biopsies from cancer patients for biomarker studies.

• Develop, validate, and implement tissue micro-dissection and cell-enrichment approaches with minimal supervision using digital imaging and automated dissection instrumentation (e.g. LMD/LCM) to support translational proteomics assessments
• Apply AI-based image analysis platforms (e.g. Indica Labs Halo AI) to build/modify tissue classification models to support tumor cell enrichment
• Process and biobank clinical and pre-clinical samples (e.g., FFPE/frozen human and animal model tissue material, biopsy punches, plasma, cell lines) using histological techniques, including sectioning/microtomy, deparaffinization, and special stains according to SOPs and GCP compliance
• Prepare documentation for sample shipments to internal and external collaborators
• Ensure high-quality data generation by applying strict QC process. Stay current with the latest histology and imaging technologies to improve the protocols
• Analyze data, summarize results, and present key results at functional reviews and project reviews

Essential Skills/Experience:

• M.Sc. in biology or related field with 7-10 years of relevant experience; Ph.D. in biology or related field with 3-5 years relevant experience.
• Experience in histology/histopathology, histological stains, preparation of tissue sections, and tissue dissections and tumor cell enrichment methodology, including laser microdissection, from frozen and FFPE tissue sections for oncology biomarker studies.
• Familiarity with digital image analysis tools including but not limited to Indica Labs HALO AI and Leica Aperio, along with the utilization of Python and R-scripting.
• Strong theoretical understanding of histology and practical knowledge of processing human and animal model tissue samples for bottom-up proteomics.
• Extensive experience in histology instrumentation, tissue databases, trouble shooting, QC, standardization for proteomics workflow and pipeline development.
• Experience in working independently and collaboratively in a matrixed environment with experience in project management
• Track record of publications or contributions to the clinical research database architecture.
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience working in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry with a focus on translational and clinical research involving digital image analysis, tumor enrichment, laser microdissection, and proteomics.
• Experience working in regulated environments (GCP/GLP).

At AstraZeneca, we are a science-based, leading and decisive Oncology enterprise united in our vision to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. We push the boundaries o