Sr Scientist – Platform Discovery – 12 months assignment Full-time

Product Development Scientist

Introduction to role:

Are you passionate about innovation and committed to advancing transformative therapies? As a proud new member of the AstraZeneca group, EsoBiotec is setting new standards in pioneering biotechnological research. With a shared vision to transform the future of medicine, our partnership leverages AstraZeneca's global reach and rich heritage in scientific innovation, amplifying EsoBiotec's unique culture of creativity and breakthrough advances in cell-based therapies and immunology. At EsoBiotec, now backed by the resources and expertise of one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies, you'll find a dynamic, collaborative environment where scientific passion drives real-world impact. Be part of a team where your work will contribute to shaping the next generation of life-changing treatments and help us push the boundaries of science to improve patients' lives worldwide. We are looking for an inspiring product development scientist to drive the development of our pioneering lentiviral therapies. Join our mission-driven team and help shape the future of cell and gene therapy with your expertise in product development. We value diverse perspectives and a collaborative, growth-minded approach.

Accountabilities:

• Design, optimize, and troubleshoot new lentiviral vectors for in vivo engineering of multiple immune cell types by screening relevant binders, selecting promoter/regulator elements and payloads to drive specificity and potency.
• Plan, develop or execute in vitro immunoassays to quantify transduction, expression, specificity, potency, and mechanisms of action across target immune subsets.
• Analyze complex, multi-modal datasets to derive mechanistic insights; clearly communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership to drive candidate selection.
• Implement and interpret multi-parameter flow cytometry, single-cell profiling (e.g., scRNA-seq/CITE-seq), spatial profiling, imaging, and NGS-based integration analyses to assess on-target activity and safety.
• Maintain rigorous, timely electronic lab notebooks; implement robust experimental design and appropriate documentation for reproducibility and traceability.
• Leverage and develop AI tools to accelerate new vector design and optimization, streamline data analysis or visualization (e.g., flow, single-cell, imaging, integration sites), enable rapid literature/database mining and evidence compilation.
• Commitment to being fully hands-on at the bench (~70% lab time) while contributing to platform and program deliverables.

Essential Skills/Experience:

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular or Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related field with at least two-four years of postdoctoral experience in academia or industry focused on engineering of immune cells (ideally non-T cells) for therapeutic use in the context of immuno-oncology or autoimmune diseases or rare diseases.
• Proven track record in viral vector design, engineering and characterization with strong hands-on lentiviral vector experience. Proficiency in molecular biology, including vector construction and promoter selection/design.
• End-to-end LVV execution: hands-on capability with LVV production, purification, titration, infectivity assays, integration site analysis. Practical understanding of risk and mitigation for LVV, including insertional mutagenesis, off-target transduction and immunogenicity.
• Deep practical experience with multi-color flow cytometry (panel design, compensation, gating), cell sorting, cytotoxicity and activation assays, ELISA, cytokine profiling and qPCR.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; proven ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners; skilled in presenting complex data, risks, and recommendations.
• Organized, proactive, ability to prioritize and manage multiple experiments in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities while meeting program milestones; commitment to high-quality documentation and data integrity.

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience with literature and database mining using AI tools; comfort with Python/R and common ML/analytics libraries. Demonstrated ability to apply AI and data-centric methods to vector design and analysis, such as cell type-specific target/binder identification, promoter/enhancer selection, automated image and flow cytometry analysis, and single-cell multi-omics is preferred.
• Good knowledge of high-dimensional analytics (e.g., scRNA-seq/CITE-seq, spatial transcriptomics, advanced imaging) is preferred.

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by a bold ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death. Our team dedicated to Oncology is united by this vision, pushing forward with cutting-edge science and technology to achieve breakthroughs. With multiple indications and high-quality molecules at all stages of our innovative pipeline, we are empowered to lead at every level, taking smart risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline. Join us in a place built on courage, curiosity, and collaboration where you can build a rewarding career committed to improving the lives of millions of people with cancer.