Scientist, High Throughput Antibody Production

AstraZeneca•Cambridge, MA

22h•$92,252 - $138,378•Onsite

About The Position

Biologics Engineering (BE) is a large, global organization with teams in Cambridge, UK; Gaithersburg, MD; and Cambridge, MA. We discover and optimize next-generation biologics for therapeutic areas including oncology, respiratory and immunology, and cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. Our Cambridge, MA team is building an innovation center and lighthouse laboratory that combines scientific expertise, high-throughput automation, robotics, and digital orchestration to expand what is possible in biologics discovery. Through close collaboration across disciplines and geographies, we deliver high-quality therapeutic molecules that advance the R&D pipeline and address unmet patient needs.

Requirements

Demonstrated hands-on experience with high-throughput production of antibodies or recombinant proteins, including routine execution of standardized workflows at microgram-to-milligram scale.
Hands-on experience operating automated liquid handlers; experience with Hamilton or Lynx platforms is preferred, and familiarity with integrated robotics or scheduling/orchestration software such as Cellario is strongly valued.
Fundamental understanding of recombinant protein expression and purification, including mammalian cell culture, aseptic technique, transient transfection, affinity capture, buffer exchange, concentration, and factors that affect yield and product quality.
Experience with sample tracking and laboratory logistics/LIMS software; comfort with barcode-driven workflows.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prepare production runs, manage multiple samples and consumables, maintain accurate records, and consistently meet time-sensitive weekly deliverables.
Exceptional attention to detail, documentation rigor, and demonstrated ability to follow detailed SOPs, work instructions, process controls, and QC acceptance criteria without compromising quality or traceability.
Team-oriented, dependable, and collaborative, with clear written and verbal communication skills and a willingness to coordinate closely, share workload, and support colleagues across production, QC, automation, and pipeline-facing teams.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of protein purification technologies and common analytical methods (e.g., SEC-UPLC, LC-MS, SDS-PAGE, CE).
Familiarity with lab automation scheduling software; Cellario preferred.
Basic scripting for data handling (e.g., Python, Jupyter) is a plus, not required.

Responsibilities

Execute scheduled, high-throughput transient expression, purification, and sample-preparation campaigns for antibodies, multispecifics, and recombinant fragments, routinely supporting delivery of hundreds of molecules per week across R&D pipeline programs.
Operate liquid handlers and integrated robotics platforms, including Hamilton and Lynx systems and Cellario orchestration software, using approved methods; complete deck setup, barcode and consumable checks, run monitoring, recovery steps, and basic troubleshooting in accordance with SOPs.
Prepare media, reagents, plates, and consumables; culture CHO and HEK293 cells; perform aseptic transient transfections; harvest via filtration or centrifugation in accordance with SOPs.
Perform routine production and QC testing according to established methods, including concentration, purity, identity, and other fit-for-purpose biochemical, biophysical, or functional measurements; assess results against acceptance criteria and compile complete, traceable data packages for project teams.
Track samples, inventory, and metadata in laboratory logistics/LIMS software to maintain chain-of-custody and ensure timely delivery and data completeness.
Maintain automation and analytical instrumentation readiness through preventive maintenance, calibrations, and upkeep of equipment logs; coordinate vendor service when required.
Coordinate daily work with HTP colleagues and cross-functional partners to meet weekly throughput, quality, and turnaround targets; communicate status, dependencies, deviations, and delivery risks clearly and promptly.
Follow detailed SOPs, work instructions, and production schedules precisely; recognize and escalate departures from expected performance, and contribute practical observations that strengthen process robustness and operational consistency.
Engage with AI/ML and automation tools as they are introduced into workflows, and actively contribute ideas for improving data interpretation, hit triage, and overall efficiency in the drug discovery pipeline.