Senior Scientist, Vector Engineering

AstraZeneca; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentive bonuses

Equity-based awards

Job summary

EsoBiotec, now part of AstraZeneca, seeks a Senior Scientist Vector Engineering in Cambridge, MA to drive the lentiviral vector platform for cell therapy. You will design and test LVVs, mentor bench scientists, and contribute to platform development in a fast-paced team.

The role emphasizes hands-on bench work, collaboration across discovery teams, and data-driven decision making, with a strong focus on publication-quality science.

Qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, virology, bioengineering, or related field with 2+ years postdoctoral experience.
• Expertise in viral vectors design, engineering, and characterization for gene therapy.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques for vector construction and payload optimization.
• Experience in protein/antibody engineering or envelope/pseudotype modification to tune tropism.
• Hands-on familiarity with in vitro cell culture assays and in vivo models for vector evaluation.
• Strong quantitative analytics (flow cytometry and qPCR/ddPCR).
• Ability to design rigorous experiments, apply statistics, and interpret complex datasets to drive decisions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to operate as a backbone member of cross-functional teams.
• Evidence of innovation through publications or open-source contributions.
• Hands-on bench work with mentoring and strong documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and validate novel lentiviral vectors for in vivo cell therapy applications.
• Perform construct designs, viral genome optimization, viral envelope pseudotype engineering and vector assembly.
• Design, plan and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess transduction efficiency, specificity, expression durability, and safety profile of novel in vivo LVVs.
• Develop and run assays for titer, potency, biodistribution, integration site analysis, and immunogenicity in collaboration with analytics partners.
• Apply literature mining and public datasets to generate innovative, testable hypotheses and prioritize vector concepts.
• Implement rigorous experimental design, statistical analysis, and documentation to ensure reproducibility and data integrity.
• Collaborate with discovery teams across AZ to align vector designs with product requirements.
• Contribute to platform development by creating screening workflows, model systems, and standardized protocols for vector performance.
• Present findings, risks, and recommendations in working groups and drive decisions through clear data storytelling.
• Support IP generation by contributing to invention disclosures and sharing FTO considerations with the IP team.

Skills

Viral vector engineering

Molecular biology techniques

Flow cytometry

qPCR/ddPCR

Data analysis & statistics

Cross-functional collaboration

Publications/Open-source contributions

Bench readiness

Education

PhD in molecular biology, virology, bioengineering, or related field

Job description

Are you ready to dive into the world of transformative therapies and make a significant impact? At EsoBiotec, now part of AstraZeneca, we are setting new benchmarks for biotechnological research. Our collaboration combines AstraZeneca’s global influence and scientific innovation with EsoBiotec’ s unique culture of creativity and breakthroughs in cell-based therapies and immunology. Here, your scientific passion will drive real-world impact as you contribute to life-changing treatments.We are looking for an inspiring Senior Scientist Vector Engineering to drive innovation and development of our pioneering lentiviral vector therapeutic platform. Join us in shaping the future of cell and gene therapy with your expertise in viral vector engineering, gene editing, CAR and TCR T cell engineering or myeloid immunobiology in cancer. You will report to the Associate Director In Vivo Cell Therapy and be based in Cambridge, MA.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and validate novel lentiviral vectors for in vivo cell therapy applications.
• Perform hands‑on construct designs, viral genome optimization, viral envelope pseudotype engineering and vector assembly.
• Design, plan and execute in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess transduction efficiency, specificity, expression durability, and safety profile of novel in vivo LVVs.
• Develop and run assays for titer, potency, biodistribution, integration site analysis, and immunogenicity in collaboration with analytics partners.
• Apply literature mining, public datasets, and personal expertise to generate innovative, testable hypotheses and prioritize vector concepts.
• Implement rigorous experimental design, statistical analysis, and documentation to ensure reproducibility, traceability, and data integrity.
• Collaborate extensively with discovery teams across AZ including payload biology, bioinformatics, and nonclinical to align vector designs with product requirements.
• Contribute to platform development by creating screening workflows, model systems, and standardized protocols for vector performance.
• Present findings, risks, and recommendations in working groups and project meetings and drive decisions through clear data storytelling.
• Support IP generation by contributing to invention disclosures and sharing FTO considerations with the IP team.

Essential Skills/Experience

• PhD in molecular biology, virology, bioengineering, or related field with 2+ years of postdoctoral experience in academia or industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in viral vectors and virology with a strong track record in viral vector design, engineering, and characterization for gene therapy
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques for vector construction, promoter and regulatory element engineering, and payload optimization.
• Experience in protein and antibody (scFV and VHH) engineering or envelope/pseudotype modification to tune tropism, entry, and transduction profiles.
• Hands‑on familiarity with in vitro cell culture assays and in vivo models for vector evaluation including transduction assays, dose–response, durability studies, and safety readouts.
• Strong hands‑on competence with quantitative analytics such as flow cytometry and qPCR/ddPCR.
• Ability to design rigorous experiments, apply statistics, and interpret complex datasets to drive go/no‑go decisions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills to operate as a backbone member of cross‑functional working groups and align discovery efforts with product goals.
• Evidence of innovation through publications, presentations, or open‑source contributions and comfort leveraging literature and public data to ideate and de‑risk.
• Organized, proactive, and product‑focused mindset with the ability to manage multiple experiments, meet timelines, and maintain high‑quality documentation.
• Commitment to being fully hands‑on at the bench while mentoring peers and contributing to platform and program deliverables.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Strong preference for lentiviral vectors.
• Practical understanding of safety risks and mitigations for LVV including insertional mutagenesis, off‑target transduction, immunogenicity, and RCL testing.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we fuel 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 unique and daring world.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $118K to $178K. 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

17-Aug-2026

Closing Date

23-Aug-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.