Scientist, Bioscience – Cell & Mechanistic Biology

Driven by science and collaboration, you will help advance innovative therapies for patients with haematological cancers. Join Acerta Pharma, part of AstraZeneca, and contribute to cutting-edge oncology research in an international environment where your expertise and ideas are valued.

Scientist, Bioscience – Cell & Mechanistic Biology

(Haematology Oncology / Small Molecules)

Location:
Pivot Park Oss ->
Amsterdam UMC Campus (from early 2027)

Full time | 40 hours per week

At Acerta Pharma, part of the AstraZeneca group, we are driven by one mission: transforming the lives of patients with haematological cancers through groundbreaking science and innovative therapies.

As we expand our research footprint in the Netherlands, we are building toward an exciting new chapter — the launch of the AstraZeneca Netherlands R&D hub in Amsterdam in early 2027. Until then, you will work from our state-of-the-art facilities in Oss before transitioning to our new Amsterdam UMC campus location.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing oncology research organisation at a pivotal moment and help shape the future of oncology drug discovery, developing novel therapies for haematological malignancies.

The role
As a Scientist in Bioscience, with expertise in cell and molecular biology, you will support haematology-oncology drug discovery programs across our Oss and future Amsterdam sites.

You will design and execute innovative cell-based assays that drive the design-make-test-analyze (DMTA) cycle, while leading mechanistic studies to uncover compound mechanisms of action and pathway biology.

We are particularly interested in candidates with strong hands-on expertise in flow cytometry, including multicolor panel design, assay development, and high-dimensional data analysis.

The ideal candidate combines excellent laboratory skills with scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and a passion for translating complex biological data into meaningful insights.

Experience in haematology-oncology research and pharmaceutical drug discovery is highly valued.

What you’ll be doing
• Develop and optimise flow cytometry assays, including multicolor panel design, gating strategies, and cellular profiling

• Design and validate cell-based assays to support proliferation, pathway activation, target engagement, and degradation studies

• Perform mechanistic studies using CRISPR/Cas9, RNAi, and pharmacological approaches to investigate compound activity and pathway biology

• Work with haematology-oncology disease models, including AML, CLL, MM, co-culture systems, and 3D/spheroid models

• Apply molecular biology techniques such as cloning, qPCR, Western blotting, and immunoassays

• Analyse and interpret complex biological datasets and translate findings into clear scientific recommendations

• Maintain accurate ELN documentation and present results to multidisciplinary project teams

• Support collaboration, knowledge sharing, and guidance of junior scientists where appropriate

What you bring
• MSc in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, or a related field, or a relevant Bachelor/HBO degree with 5+ years of industry experience in drug discovery and cell biology

• Experience with in biotech or pharma environments supporting DMTA-driven discovery programs

• Strong hands-on expertise in flow cytometry, cellular assay development, and biological data analysis

• Experience with general cell and mol bio techniques (tissue culture, western, qPCR)

• Strong scientific reasoning skills, a structured way of working, and excellent collaboration and communication skills

Fluency in English and willingness to work in Oss until the transition to Amsterdam in early 2027

Please note:

this role is intended for candidates with a BSc or MSc background. A PhD profile will not be a suitable match due to the hands-on and operational focus of the position.

Preferred Qualifications
• 3–5 years of advanced flow cytometry experience in complex biological systems

• Experience with high-parameter panel design, compensation strategies, and cell sorting

• Experience with haematology-oncology models, primary patient samples, or 3D/spheroid systems is considered a plus

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