Senior Scientist

About the role

Location: Cambridge, MA, USA (hybrid 3x a week)

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being daring - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we're opening new ways to work, pioneering innovative methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

Introduction to the role

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist with strong scientific and strategic experience in oncology research to join our team in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA. As a Senior Scientist in Oncology Targeted Discovery within the Oncology R&D Department, you will be a key contributor on a team focused on supporting oncology projects through the drug discovery process. You will bring your theoretical and practical expertise in cancer biology to discover medicines that will have direct impact on the future of antibody drug conjugate therapeutics.

What you'll be doing

• You will join a team of laboratory-based scientists who design, conduct and analyze in vitro experiments to evaluate candidate drug targets, identify novel targets for ADC payloads, and lead projects from target ID to validation.
• Identifying and onboarding relevant disease models, identifying biomarkers of target engagement, evaluating the pharmacologic effects of experimental compounds in cancer cells and/or cell-free assays, and leading project teams through the early discovery process and governance interactions.
• Review emerging literature and internal data to identify new targets and contribute to target nomination, evaluation, and validation activities.
• Develop, run, and analyze in vitro studies to assess candidate drug targets and their relevance to cancer-cell function. Select appropriate experimental approaches and interpret results in the context of project goals.
• Discover and evaluate novel targets for ADC payloads, integrating experimental findings with emerging literature and internal data to support target nomination, evaluation, and validation.
• Bring together experimental results, internal data, and relevant literature to identify promising targets, understand mechanisms of action, and help uncover biomarkers of drug response or resistance.
• Work closely with colleagues from diverse scientific and functional backgrounds, contributing your expertise and helping align research activities with broader project objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• MS Degree with 6+ years of industry experience in Biology, Oncology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or related scientific area OR PhD and 2+ years industry research experience in Biology, Oncology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or related scientific area; or postdoctoral training
• Experience in industry or academia developing, running, and/or overseeing in vitro studies for the analysis of human tumor cell function (e.g. cell culture, cell signaling bioassays, high-content imaging, cell death measurement, live-cell reporters, and mRNA/protein expression assays in primary or cell line cultures)
• Strong background and experience in cancer biology, cell biology, genetics, cell signaling, and molecular biology. Depth of understanding of solid tumor and hematology cancer models
• Molecular biology skills including assessment of intracellular signaling and generation of engineered cell lines (CRISPR knock-out/knock-in), generation of cell-based reporter assays, experience with genetic perturbation technologies (siRNA/shRNA/overexpression), and generation and analysis of transcriptomic data
• Fluency generating, interpretating, and communicating large datasets (e.g. multi-omics data, CRISPR screening, cell line panel screening, human genetic data) to identify novel candidate drug targets, biomarkers of response and resistance to cancer drugs, and mechanism of action of cancer therapies
• Experience using AI tools to streamline and acceleration drug discovery and cancer biology research
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and to collaborate with teams with unique background and expertise, to implement assigned tasks in a manner consistent with project goals
• Interpersonal and communication skills required to identify key scientific questions arising from diverse scientific areas, and present effectively to broad audiences, both within and outside of your immediate team
• Creative problem-solving skills, with independent initiative to address complex scientific questions. Contributes novel ideas, both technical and strategic, to help advance assigned projects and aid in the success of team members and colleagues whenever possible
• A passion for leadership, mentorship, and personal and professional growth
• An innate curiosity to learn more about cancer biology innovative cancer therapeutic modalities

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in industry drug discovery program is strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience designing and developing quantitative, mechanistic, cell-based assays for evaluating compounds for target engagement
• Experience with high content imaging assays
• Bioinformatics and/or coding skills required to analyze high dimensionality 'omics data
• Experience building and/or deploying automation technology for drug development research

So, what's next?

• Are you already envisioning yourself joining our team?
• Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh ideas to the table?
• Good, because we can't wait to hear from you!

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We follow all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Pay and benefits

The annual base pay for this position ranges from 118,870.40 - 178,305.60 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

• Date Posted
• 06-Nov-2026
• Closing Date
• 19-Nov-2026