Senior Scientist, Research Informatics & Data Science

AstraZeneca; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead research informatics and data science initiatives that accelerate biologics discovery. You will build data platforms, develop scalable software, and partner with scientists, automation engineers, and IT to enable AI-driven workflows.

The role blends hands-on software delivery with scientific collaboration, focuses on data foundations, automated pipelines, and FAIR data, and requires PhD/MSc with Python and data engineering experience.

Qualifications

• PhD, MSc, or equivalent in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computational Biology, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience developing software using Python and modern engineering practices.
• Experience designing data pipelines and integrating heterogeneous scientific data sources.
• Strong understanding of laboratory research environments and data generation workflows.
• Experience working with scientists and technical stakeholders to deliver real-world solutions.
• Ability to translate ambiguous scientific needs into practical digital products.

Responsibilities

• Apply scientific informatics expertise to address challenges across bioinformatics and data science in laboratory environments.
• Translate biologics drug discovery workflows into automated processes and scalable digital products that improve research efficiency and data quality.
• Integrate research systems by connecting laboratory instruments, automation platforms, and FAIR data repositories.
• Develop scientific software including applications, APIs, services, and user interfaces.
• Establish data foundations through reusable data models and FAIR data products in Snowflake for analytics and AI.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Translate scientific needs into fixed

Education

PhD or MSc in Bioinformatics/Data Science/CS/Engineering

Tools

Python

Snowflake

Genedata Biologics

APIs

Workflow orchestration

Job description

Senior Scientist, Research Informatics & Data Science

Location: Cambridge, UK

Introduction to the Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated informatics and data science professional to accelerate the digital transformation of Biologics Engineering by building the data, software, and automation foundations that enable next-generation scientific workflows.

This role sits at the intersection of bioinformatics, software engineering, data science, laboratory automation, and AI. The successful candidate will partner closely with scientists, automation engineers, data scientists, and IT teams to develop robust, scalable, and user-centric solutions that improve data capture, automate workflows, and establish FAIR data foundations for AI-driven biologics discovery and development.

The position combines hands‑on technical delivery with scientific partnership and will play a key role in enabling foundation builds, workflow automation, data products, and emerging AI capabilities across the Biologics Engineering ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply scientific informatics expertise to address complex challenges across bioinformatics and data science in laboratory environments.
• Translate biologics drug discovery workflows into automated processes, scalable digital products, and user-centred solutions that improve research efficiency and data quality.
• Integrate research systems by connecting laboratory instruments, automation platforms, FAIR data repositories, and scientific applications such as Genedata Biologics.
• Develop scientific software including applications, APIs, services, and user interfaces using
• Establish data foundations through reusable data models, metadata standards, and FAIR data products in Snowflake that support analytics, machine learning, and AI.
• Apply AI and agentic development practices to rapidly prototype tools and visualisation capabilities that enhance lead selection and decision‑making in drug discovery campaigns.
• Collaborate across disciplines with scientists, automation engineers, product owners, AI specialists, and IT teams to deliver robust and impactful solutions.

Essential Qualifications

• PhD, MSc, or equivalent industry experience in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computational Biology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience developing software solutions using Python and modern engineering practices.
• Experience designing data pipelines and integrating heterogeneous scientific data sources.
• Strong understanding of laboratory research environments and data generation workflows.
• Experience working directly with scientists and technical stakeholders to deliver real‑world solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to translate ambiguous scientific needs into practical digital products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory automation platforms and instrument integrations.
• Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms and modern data engineering approaches.
• Experience developing APIs, workflow orchestration systems, or scientific web applications.
• Experience applying machine learning, generative AI, or advanced analytics in scientific environments.
• Familiarity with FAIR data principles and research data governance.
• Experience working within agile product teams.

Success Measures

Within the first 12-24 months, the successful candidate will:

• Deliver foundation data products that support AI-enabled biologics discovery.
• Establish automated data flows across key laboratory workflows.
• Reduce manual scientific data handling through automation and integration.
• Increase availability of FAIR, reusable research data.
• Deliver production‑quality software used by scientists across multiple BE functions.
• Contribute to scalable platforms supporting Digital, Automated, and AI‑Driven Biologics Engineering.

Why AstraZeneca

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our outstanding world.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media,

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