Senior Scientist, Assay Development

Job Description

Senior Scientist, Assay Development

Location: Waltham, MA

About the Role

At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering a bold new chapter in medical innovation—the pursuit of extending human healthspan. Our newly established Aging Research Group leads this groundbreaking initiative, aiming to develop therapies that not only extend life but enhance its quality.

We are seeking a Senior Scientist to join our dynamic and growing team. As a core contributor, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing cellular assays to support drug discovery and mechanism-of-action studies. This is an opportunity to help shape a cutting-edge research program from the ground up, working in a collaborative, agile environment that fosters scientific innovation and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize cell-based assays to evaluate therapeutic candidates for aging intervention
• Conduct and analyze complex biological experiments to support early drug discovery efforts
• Stay informed on emerging research in aging biology and translate insights into actionable strategies
• Communicate findings to internal stakeholders and external collaborators, including at scientific conferences
• Contribute to intellectual property development and peer-reviewed publications

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with 0–3 years postdoctoral or industry experience, or MS with 3–5 years experience
• Strong background in aging biology, including key pathways and mechanisms
• Extensive experience in the design, execution, and interpretation of cell-based assays
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, especially in small team settings
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Demonstrated record of scientific publications and/or patents in relevant fields

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in fast-paced, matrixed research environments
• Familiarity with in vivo models of longevity and healthspan
• Exposure to high-throughput screening platforms
• Experience using bioinformatics tools and data analysis software
• Demonstrated project leadership or coordination experience

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we challenge the status quo and pursue science-led innovation to transform lives. Our diverse, inclusive, and forward-thinking culture encourages collaboration and creativity across disciplines to deliver life-changing medicines to patients around the world.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary, annual bonus, and long-term incentive programs
• Generous paid time off and comprehensive benefits package
• A collaborative, high-impact team environment that values your growth and contributions

Follow Us

• LinkedIn – AstraZeneca
• Facebook – AstraZeneca
• Instagram – AstraZeneca

Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. AstraZeneca encourages applications from all qualified individuals and provides reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process as needed.

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 comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.