Senior Biobank Scientist Full-time

Senior Biobank Scientist

Human Biological Samples (HBS) sit at the heart of clinical research, enabling the discovery, development and delivery of new treatments and diagnostics. As ethically sensitive materials, they underpin every clinical trial and demand rigorous handling and oversight. The Senior Biobank Scientist maintains and develops the HBS inventory in line with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), global standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensuring samples are received, logged, stored, tracked, despatched, returned and disposed of appropriately. Specialized IT systems and databases support compliant sample management, while daily interaction with stakeholders keeps studies moving at pace. This role brings deep expertise in microtomy and histology techniques such as staining and embedding to secure robust sample quality and reliable workflows, delivering a key regional tissue sectioning capability. It also helps build sectioning competencies and project readiness by providing experimental-ready samples to scientists, driving collaboration, capability creation and continuous improvement across processes and IT. In addition, the Senior Biobank Scientist may take on local Biobank Operations Manager responsibilities, coordinating local operations, leading user groups and providing local compliance knowledge, including national requirements. In the UK, this includes participation in an on-call rota under the Human Tissue Act (HTA) to safeguard the ongoing integrity of HBS.

Accountabilities

• Lead the end-to-end handling of Human Biological Samples, from receipt and registration through storage, tracking, despatch, return and final disposal, ensuring full alignment with GCP, SOPs and legal requirements.
• Act as the primary histology expert for microtomy, routine histological staining, slide scanning and digital image analysis, resolving technical issues and supporting robust sample quality.
• Provide routine histology and microtomy training to colleagues, building capability and consistency across the team.
• Use specialized informatics systems and databases to track all work-in-progress so that sample status is visible and understood at all times.
• Communicate proactively with science partners and internal customers to ensure compliance with global HBS standards and legal requirements, responding to queries by email or telephone.
• Partner with global biobank groups, internal stakeholders and external vendors to address day-to-day issues and drive continuous improvement in biobank operations.
• Coordinate biobank operations locally, including scheduling, prioritisation and resource planning where required.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders by delivering local training on HBS compliance, liaising with external vendors of scientific services related to biobanking, and supporting science partners in identifying and using appropriate HBS.
• Identify, lead and implement initiatives that improve efficiency or quality in biobank processes or IT systems.
• When assigned Biobank Operations Manager responsibilities, lead local biobank coordination, contribute local compliance knowledge as part of the extended HBS C&G team, chair the local HBS user group and fulfil defined responsibilities under national legislation such as the HTA.
• Participate in an on-call schedule (where applicable) to provide emergency coverage that protects sample integrity around the clock.
• Collaborate closely with clinical sample scientists, compound leads, global study teams, sample owners and internal requestors to ensure that biobank services enable timely, high-quality research decisions.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Fluent in English as the AstraZeneca working language
• Degree in a scientific discipline
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience of working with human biological samples
• Understanding of, and experience with, working with various IT solutions, such as LIMS systems and databases, including extensive knowledge of Excel for data transformation and analyses
• Experience of carrying out activities in a timely manner and to the correct standards
• Identifying and leading continuous improvement processes
• Interest in logistics and developing processes through customer interactions and technology awareness
• High microtomy/histology experience

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience in Biobanking
• Clinical sample scientists and Compound leads in vendor organisations
• Vendors performing clinical trials

At AstraZeneca, scientific excellence is matched by a culture that values curiosity, collaboration and impact; work alongside diverse minds across academia and industry, contribute to pioneering research partnerships spanning dozens of countries, learn from leading experts in oncology and beyond, and shape a meaningful career while helping accelerate progress against some of the most challenging diseases facing patients today.

Ready to help safeguard critical samples and power breakthrough cancer research? Apply now to join us as a Senior Biobank Scientist!