Scientist

About the Role

AstraZeneca is seeking a Scientist, Analytical Technology for a contract role in Santa Monica, CA. This role sits in technical operations, focusing on evaluating emerging live-cell imaging and cell analysis platforms, benchmarking them against current QC methods, and recommending which ones to move into automated, high-throughput QC. Each study answers a defined business question on a set timeline, and methods must ultimately meet regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and run feasibility studies, demos, and vendor evaluations of new live-cell imaging and cell analysis platforms (e.g., high-content imagers, flow cytometers, cell imagers from Yokogawa (e.g., CQ1), Revvity, Agilent, BD, Molecular Devices, Thermo Fisher Scientific).
• Benchmark new platforms against current QC methods on accuracy, precision, sensitivity, robustness, throughput, and hands-on time.
• Culture genetically modified primary human T cells and cell lines using aseptic technique; count, assess viability, normalize to target densities, and plate into multi-well assays, manually or with semi-automated tools.
• Prepare cell samples and experimental conditions for assays: fluorescent antibody staining and titration for flow and imaging cytometry, serial dilutions of cell densities, and conditions such as heat-killed controls and effector-to-target (E:T) cytotoxicity co-cultures.
• Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot imaging-based assays, from sample preparation through image acquisition and analysis.
• Work with automation and data science colleagues to adapt promising methods for integration with lab automation.
• Analyze data with appropriate statistics and communicate findings through reports and presentations.
• Document work in an electronic lab notebook (e.g., Benchling) following good documentation practices.
• Serve as a technical contact for vendors and cross-functional partners.
• Order reagents and consumables, and keep instruments and lab areas in good working order.

Key Deliverables

• Evaluation plans with clear success criteria.
• Comparison data and gap analyses.
• Desk-based projections of ROI and key assay parameters (e.g., throughput, cost per sample, hands-on time) that compare similar technologies and instruments.
• Assessment reports with a clear recommendation: adopt, adapt, or do not pursue.
• Draft protocols and SOP inputs for platforms that move forward.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, T cell biology or a related field (completed by start date), or an MS in a related field with 4+ years of hands-on research experience.
• Hands-on cell-based imaging experience, such as fluorescence or confocal microscopy, high-content imaging or imaging flow cytometry.
• Hands-on primary cell and cell line culture, counting, and assay plating with strong aseptic technique.
• A track record of working independently with minimal supervision: designing and running experiments end to end, with appropriate controls, replicates, and statistics.
• Takes initiative and communicates proactively to discuss progress and deliver results on time-sensitive deadlines.
• Fully on-site, with about 75% of time in the lab.
• BSL-2, GxP-aligned development laboratory (non-GMP) handling human cells.
• Standing for extended periods at the bench or biosafety cabinet.
• Lifting and moving items up to 10 lb.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of fluorescent antibody staining and titration for flow or imaging cytometry, including designing basic 5-color panels.
• Experience with primary T cells, cell therapy, or GxP environments.
• Data and image analysis with tools such as GraphPad Prism, JMP or vendor imaging software, plus scripting (e.g., Python, CellProfiler, Fiji/ImageJ).
• Detail-oriented and organized across several concurrent projects.
• Familiarity with method qualification and validation (e.g., ICH Q2(R2), Q14).
• Lab automation or liquid handler experience.
• Experience with Benchling or another ELN.