Scientist (Analytical Development, Cell Therapy)

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

3d•$90,961 - $136,441•Hybrid

About The Position

The Scientist will join the Cell Therapy Analytical Development team, which develops and delivers robust, technologically advanced biological assays to advance cell therapy products from research through commercial stages. The team supports end-to-end biological and bioanalytical characterization of viral vector and cell therapy products, enabling manufacturing processes, formulation, drug product development, and regulatory filings from IND to BLA and beyond. The role collaborates with analytical quality and cross-functional teams, including clinical, regulatory, QA, and manufacturing. The position develops analytical methods and performs analytical development and sample testing to support lentiviral vector process development. It requires independent experimental design, execution, data interpretation, and technical judgment, along with preparation and presentation of technical documentation and results. The role works within a team-based structure and interfaces with research and process development departments. The position is based in an in-person working model, with an average expectation of at least three days per week in the office and flexibility around individual circumstances. The annual base pay ranges from $90,961 to $136,441. The position may be eligible for short-term incentive bonuses and equity-based awards. Benefits include qualified retirement programs, paid time off, and health, dental, and vision coverage under applicable plan terms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree in one of these fields or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience.
Biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience working with analytical methods for lentiviral vectors and CAR T cells.
High proficiency in immunology techniques, such as ELISA or similar technology platforms.
High proficiency in molecular biology techniques, such as NGS, qPCR, and dPCR, for gene-edit evaluation and on-target/off-target analysis.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Good time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks across multiple projects and meet timelines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with method qualification or validation and technology transfer of cell and gene therapy analytical methods.

Responsibilities

Develop robust functional, characterization, and molecular analytical methods, including method qualification and transfer.
Make detailed observations, analyze data, interpret results, and exercise technical discretion independently in experiment design, execution, and interpretation.
Carry out analytical development and sample testing to enable lentiviral vector upstream and downstream process development.
Author and review technical reports, protocols, and technical summaries for presentation.
Present and discuss experimental results at group and project team meetings.
Work in a team-based structure and interface with research and process development departments.