Associate Scientist, Analytical Sciences

AstraZeneca • Santa Monica, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This role focuses on transforming immunoassay and cell-based data into decisions for engineered cell therapy. The Associate Scientist will help build scalable testing capabilities to characterize products and advance medicines. Based in Santa Monica, CA, the position involves joining a collaborative analytical operations team to deliver high-quality data for process and product characterization. The role requires close collaboration with Analytical Development, Process Development, and Quality Control to optimize and run immunoassay and cell-based potency assays that influence the development, scaling, and release of cell therapies. The work aims to translate complex biology into clear evidence to advance the pipeline and benefit patients.

Requirements

• Two (2) years with BS/BA, or one (1) year with MS/MA in Immunology, Cell Biology, Oncology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline with experience in a biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, or academic setting.
• Strong expertise in cell-based assays, especially those evaluating potency or immune effector function using cell imagers and immunoassays.
• Hands-on experience with media preparations and suspension/adherent culture work: thaw, culture, expand, and cryopreserve.
• Proficiency in immune cell culture, including primary T cells or engineered immune cells.
• Proficiency in data analysis and troubleshooting of cell-based analytical assays.
• Proficient knowledge of general cell therapy processes and understanding of sampling and testing points for characterization to support process development.
• Ability to clearly convey scientific findings and development rationale.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in flow cytometry or genomic assays.
• Familiarity with high-throughput assay workflows and collaboration with automation teams.
• Experience with electronic data capture, data visualization, and assay trending tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the setup, execution, and continuous improvement of immunoassay and cell-based testing operations, ensuring reliable turnaround times and consistent data quality.
• Partner with method and automation developers to refine assays, increase throughput, and streamline documentation and analysis.
• Manage critical reagents, assay control materials, and consumables to maintain uninterrupted testing capacity and robust assay performance.
• Thaw, culture, expand, and cryopreserve suspension/adherent cell lines; perform cytotoxicity and cytokine release assays using cell imagers, cell counters, and immunoassay kits to evaluate potency and immune effector function.
• Coordinate and prepare engineered immune cells for co-culture and functional assays, ensuring readiness and alignment with study timelines.
• Lead transfer of immunoassays and cell-based methods into operations by assessing incoming test methods and reagents, planning training, and securing readiness for routine use.
• Maintain complete records for executed methods and results; monitor assay trends, identify shifts, and collaborate with developers to troubleshoot and sustain assay robustness.
• Translate analytical outcomes into clear insights for development teams, accelerating process understanding and product characterization.
• Provide technical mentorship to uphold scientific rigor; maintain instruments through calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting to maximize uptime and data integrity.

Benefits

• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• Equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles)
• Retirement contribution (hourly roles)
• Commission payment eligibility (sales roles)
• Qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid leaves
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree