Senior Scientist, Translational Immunology – Cancer Vaccines

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join the Translational Immunology group within the Infectious Disease Therapeutic Area in Gaithersburg, MD. This group bridges pre-clinical development and early clinical trials, generating the mechanistic and translational insights needed to guide next-generation vaccines and immune therapies across cancer vaccines and chronic viral disease. This is a primary bench-based role for an expert immunologist who can do more than execute experiments. We are looking for a scientist with deep technical expertise, especially in flow cytometry, who can independently drive projects, generate high-quality mechanistic data, and work effectively across a matrixed environment to move programs forward. The successful candidate will help shape translational strategy while remaining closely connected to the experimental work.

Requirements

• PhD in Immunology or a related scientific discipline, with 5+ years of relevant experience in translational immunology, oncology, infectious disease, or vaccinology.
• Deep expertise in cellular immunology and a strong track record of scientific achievement through publications, applied research, and mechanistic investigation.
• Extensive hands-on experience with multi-color flow cytometry, including panel design, assay optimization, execution, troubleshooting, and rigorous data analysis.
• Strong experience developing and applying cell-based functional immune assays.
• Solid understanding of immunology in oncology, infectious disease, or chronic viral infection.
• Demonstrated ability to independently drive projects and contribute strategically, not solely as experimental support.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with success working across cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.

Nice To Haves

• Deep understanding of tumor biology, immuno-oncology techniques, and experimental model systems
• Experience with single-cell approaches such as scRNA-seq, CITE-seq, or ATAC-seq is a plus, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute translational immunology studies to evaluate cellular immune responses and define mechanisms linked to therapeutic activity and efficacy.
• Lead the development, optimization, and application of multi-color flow cytometry assays, including panel design, staining strategy, controls, compensation, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Develop and implement functional cell-based assays to evaluate mechanisms of action, including T cell activation, cytotoxicity, cytokine production, proliferation, and related immune readouts.
• Independently drive scientific questions and project execution, identifying priorities, interpreting results, and proposing next steps with a strong sense of ownership.
• Partner effectively across a matrixed research environment, working with discovery, translational, oncology, virology, clinical, and computational colleagues to align stakeholders and advance programs.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly in team meetings, governance discussions, and scientific presentations.

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: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree