Senior Scientist – Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences; DLS

The Opportunity

Location:

Cambridge

Contract:

12-month contract

We are recruiting a Senior Scientist – Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences (DLS) to join our client's highly regulated, CAP/CLIA-accredited laboratory environment in Cambridge. This is a senior, hands‑on laboratory role embedded within AstraZeneca's Precision Diagnostics Development (PDD) group, supporting the development, optimisation, validation and operationalisation of cutting‑edge diagnostic solutions. Working within a collaborative scientific environment, you will provide scientific leadership and operational oversight across histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), assay development, validation, and digital/computational pathology workflows.

You will play a key role in ensuring laboratory quality, regulatory compliance and the successful delivery of diagnostic development programmes that contribute directly to precision medicine and improved patient outcomes.

• Provide scientific leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of laboratory activities
• Independently perform and supervise technical laboratory work in accordance with SOPs and quality standards
• Lead assay development, optimisation, characterisation, verification and validation activities
• Act as Project Lead for design control and assay validation programmes
• Design and execute studies to establish assay performance characteristics including sensitivity, specificity, precision and linearity
• Analyse experimental data using statistical approaches and design of experiments (DOE) methodologies
• Develop and optimise sample preparation workflows, including microtomy across a range of human tissue types
• Operate, maintain and troubleshoot automated histology and IHC platforms including Ventana, Leica and Dako systems
• Support and oversee digital pathology workflows including image scanning, quality control and issue resolution
• Ensure compliance with CAP/CLIA, ISO, HTA, GCP and other applicable regulatory frameworks
• Support quality management activities including design controls, supplier controls, change controls, risk management and CAPA processes
• Manage laboratory data and documentation using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Collaborate closely with scientists, project managers and cross-functional stakeholders to communicate findings and project progress effectively
• Support staff training and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the laboratory

• BSc degree (or equivalent experience) in Biomedical Science, Pathology, Molecular Biology or a related scientific discipline
• Minimum 5 years' experience within a diagnostic histopathology and/or immunohistochemistry laboratory
• Proven experience performing microtomy and handling a wide range of human tissue samples
• Strong understanding of immunohistochemistry and its application within diagnostics and patient care
• Experience working within regulated laboratory environments such as CAP/CLIA, ISO
  15189, HTA or GCP
• Experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, prioritise workloads and work effectively within matrix teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong commitment to quality, compliance and data integrity

• HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist
• Experience in diagnostic product development, design controls and analytical validation
• Hands‑on experience operating and maintaining automated IHC and histology platforms (e.g. Ventana Bench Mark, Leica BOND RX, Dako Omnis, Leica Spectra ST)
• Experience leading assay development and optimisation projects
• Experience with in CAP/CLIA or ISO
  15189 accredited diagnostic laboratories
• Experience with digital…