Senior Scientist, Oncology Targeted Discovery

AstraZeneca plc; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 112,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Senior Scientist in Oncology Targeted Discovery to lead target validation for tumor-targeted therapies. You will work with cross-functional teams to generate data critical for milestone decisions, and perform in vitro studies using diverse biochemical and cellular techniques to understand mechanisms in cancer biology.

Ideal candidates have a Ph.D. with relevant experience or a Master’s with extensive lab work, strong communication, and a drive to

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s with required experience in cancer biology or related field.
• Strong background in cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
• Proven bench skills in mammalian cell culture and molecular assays.
• Excellent communication and teamwork in a fast-paced matrix environment.
• Commitment to GLP, safety, and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead target validation for one or more pipeline programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely data delivery for milestones.
• Design, perform, and analyze in vitro experiments to validate targets.
• Stay current with cancer biology, disease models, and therapeutics.
• Operate as a collaborative, data-driven team member.

Skills

Cell biology

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Mammalian cell culture

Flow cytometry

Western blot

qPCR

ELISA

Fluorescence microscopy

CRISPR/Cas9

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in relevant field

Masters in relevant field

Tools

Laboratory automation

CRISPR/Cas9 techniques

Job description

Senior Scientist, Oncology Targeted Discovery

At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life-changing medicines. Working here means being ambitious, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. We’re passionate about the potential of science to address the unmet needs of patients around the world. We commit to those areas where we believe we can really change the course of medicine and bring big new insights to life.

AstraZeneca’s vision in Oncology is to push the boundaries of science to change the practice of medicine, transform the lives of patients living with cancer, and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a cause of death. A broad pipeline of next-generation medicines is bringing novel concepts in oncology to address unmet medical need.

Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated, independent Senior Scientist (lab-based) with a proven track record in cancer research and extensive laboratory experience to join our Target Identification and Validation group in Gaithersburg, MD, USA. As a Senior Scientist in Oncology Targeted Discovery within the Oncology R&D Department, you will lead target validation efforts for tumor-targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and targeted radioconjugates. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to advance pipeline programs and deepen our understanding of all aspects of target biology.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as target validation lead for one or more pipeline programs

• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure the timely generation and dissemination of critical program data to enable milestone progression decisions

• Design, conduct, and analyze in vitro experiments using an array of biochemical, molecular, and cellular biology techniques to validate new targets and dissect the mechanisms of action of novel cancer therapeutics

• Remain current with relevant technical and scientific expertise in cancer biology, disease modeling, and therapeutics

• Be highly collegial, collaborative, and data-driven, with a passion for learning and growth

Essential Requirements

• Ph.D. with 2+ years of experience, or Masters with 7+ years of experience, in a relevant field

• Solid understanding of cell biology, molecular biology, and/or biochemistry in the context of cancer

• Strong laboratory bench skills in mammalian cell culture and molecular and cell-based experimental techniques, such as flow cytometry, western blotting, qPCR, ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, cell cytotoxicity assays, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing

• Ability to work well independently, with minimal supervision, and collaboratively with other teams

• Excellent communication, organizational, , and problem solving, skills in a fast-paced matrix environment

• Commitment to ensuring that one’s own work and the work of peers comply with Good Laboratory Practice; Safety, Health, and Environment standards; all other relevant internal AstraZeneca standards; and external regulations

Desired Requirements

• Prior experience in the biopharmaceutical industry is viewed favorably

• Expertise in laboratory automation techniques

• Experience with computational analysis of large data sets, such as transcriptomics or proteomics

• Knowledge of tumor-targeted therapy (e.g., ADC) biology and resistance mechanisms is viewed favorably

Why AstraZeneca?

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 entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation 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.

So, what’s next!

We hope that you are a people person who likes to support various people with their different requirements and want to be part of a collaborating team. Are you the right person?

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $112,304 to $169,456. 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

07-oct-2026

Closing Date

20-oct-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.