Scientist, Cell Therapy Bioscience

About Astra Zeneca

At AstraZeneca, we are driven by our ambition to transform science into life‑changing medicines for patients. We bring together deep biological insight, innovative technologies and data‑driven approaches to tackle complex scientific challenges and accelerate the discovery and development of new therapies. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where diverse perspectives, scientific rigor and bold thinking help us push the boundaries of what is possible.

We are advancing the next generation of engineered cell therapies by integrating cellular and molecular biology, immunology, bioengineering, computational approaches and data science. Our scientists work at the interface of experimental science and emerging technologies, bringing curiosity, collaboration and a data‑driven mindset to the discovery of innovative cell therapies.

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland campus is a major U.S. hub for R&D and Oncology, bringing together multidisciplinary scientists, modern laboratories and cross‑functional teams to advance innovative medicines from discovery through development. The collaborative environment enables scientists with diverse expertise to work together, leverage cutting‑edge technologies and translate scientific discoveries into meaningful advances for patients.

This is a predominantly laboratory‑based discovery position focused on the in vitro generation, characterization and functional evaluation of engineered immune‑cell therapies. The successful candidate will provide hands‑on experimental support to CAR‑T projects while contributing to Cell Therapy platform capabilities that can be applied across programs.

In this role, you will combine T‑ and NK‑cell biology, cellular engineering, functional assay development and multiparameter flow cytometry to address key biological and translational questions. You will design and execute experiments with increasing independence, analyze and interpret experimental data, and translate findings into clear conclusions and next steps.

Working within multidisciplinary project teams, you will collaborate across Cell Therapy, Bioscience, Bioengineering, Computational Biology, In Vivo Pharmacology. You will also use fit‑for‑purpose digital and AI‑enabled tools to support data organization, analysis, visualization, literature synthesis and experimental planning, while remaining directly engaged in laboratory research.

• Conduct, troubleshoot, analyze independently in vitro Cell Therapy and immunology experiments.
• Culture and characterize primary T and NK cells, including phenotyping and functional assays.
• Engineer T cells using viral and/or non‑viral approaches.
• Contribute to Cell Therapy platform development by establishing, optimizing and applying reusable assays, workflows, controls and data‑analysis approaches across programs.
• Design and execute immune‑cell functional assays, including activation, cytotoxicity, proliferation, cytokine production, serial or repeated challenge, phenotype, fitness, persistence and other relevant readouts.
• Plan and perform multiparameter flow cytometry experiments, including panel design, staining, acquisition, quality control, analysis and biological interpretation.
• Apply cellular and molecular methods relevant to CAR‑T discovery, including primary‑cell isolation and culture, transfection or electroporation, viral transduction, gene‑editing support and molecular characterization.
• Support in vitro assessment of allogeneic rejection biology, including host‑versus‑graft and graft‑versus‑host responses, using immune‑cell co‑culture,…