Senior Scientist, Allogeneic T-Cell Therapy Process Development

SeniorScientist,AllogeneicT-CellTherapyProcess Development:Cell Therapy CMC 

Do you have a passion forscience? Would you like to apply yourexpertise toimpact a company that followsthe science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you! 

We are looking for aSeniorScientist to join ourAllogeneicT-CellTherapyProcess Development team. In this role,you'll be instrumental in supporting the development of clinical manufacturing processesforallogeneic CAR-Tand TCR-Tproducts. 

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinkingbig and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, thenyou’re our kind of person. This is an opportunity to work with curious minds in an inclusive culture, whereyou'll be evaluatingcell therapyprocess and technology improvements, contributing to process understanding and characterization, andassisting tech transfer to a cGMP environment. 

About AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, MD: 

Our Gaithersburg, Maryland facility creates life-changing medicines for people around the world. This campus employs more than 3,500 experts in our field and is only a short drive from Washington, DC. This modern and vibrant scientific campus is the home of R&D and Oncology in the US. Here, we play host to some of the mostcutting-edge technology and lab spaces, all designed to inspire collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employeesbenefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration. 

The Gaithersburg site offers a variety of amenities to help boost productivity and help keep our employees happy and healthy. This includes a fitness center, employee healthcare clinic, electric vehicle charging stations, dry cleaning, full-servicecafeteria and copy center. This is whereyou’ll find newly designed, activity-basedworkspaces to suit a variety of working styles while increasing collaboration between teams.   

Summary of the group: 

TheAllogeneic T-CellTherapyProcess Developmentteam within theCell Therapy Technical Operations (CTTO)group andCell TherapyEnterprise Unitisresponsible fordeveloping,optimizing, characterizing, and scaling manufacturing processes forallogeneic CAR-T and TCR-Tcell therapies. The team supports cell engineering andprocess development activitiesrequired to generate high-quality allogeneic T-cell products, includingoptimization of gene editing, culture expansion,scale-up, and process characterization strategies. In addition, the group producesmaterialto supportIND-enabling studies and works closely with cross-functional partners to enabletechnical transferto clinical and commercial manufacturingsites. The team also contributes to product characterization, manufacturing deviation support,regulatory submissions, and continuous improvement of cell therapy manufacturing processes. 

Main Duties &Responsibilities: 

This position within theAllogeneicT-Cell TherapyProcess Development teamwill involve a substantial amount of hands-on cell culture work,including humanCAR-T and TCR-T cell generation, in vitro expansion,scale-up, andcharacterization of culture processes.The role will require performing gene editing activities and manipulation of human primary cells, while applying strong scientific judgment to support process optimization, process characterization, and development of scalable manufacturing approaches. 

As a Senior Scientist, you will independently own the design, execution, analysis,interpretation,and documentation of process development studies. You will be expected tolead studies with minimal supervision, use data-driven decision-making to guide next steps, troubleshoot technical challenges, and contribute to the overall technical strategy for allogeneic CAR-Tand TCR-Tprocess development.

This role will also require close cross-functional collaboration with Process Development, Analytical Development, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and other partner functions tosupport process understanding, technology transfer, and clinical manufacturing readiness. Inaddition, you will provide scientific guidance and mentorship to junior scientists and associates, helping to strengthen technical capability, experimental rigor, and effective execution across the team.Responsibilities will include supportingtech transfer activitiessuch asbatch record and SOP development, real-time troubleshooting, investigation and impact assessment of deviations, change control management, process monitoring and data analysis, and risk assessments. Additionally, you will author and contribute to development reports, scientific publications, patents, and regulatory filings in different countries and regions. Position may require traveling domestically and abroad.  

Required Skills 

• Experienceculturing human primary cells (T cell culture experience necessary). 

• Knowledgeable about upstream and downstreamprocess development for cell therapies both laboratory based andtechtransfer based 

• Strong flow cytometryT cell characterizationexperience. 

• Experienceengineering cells in scale-up processeswithmanufacture-readygenome editing tools andDNA/RNA transfection approaches. 

• Familiar with the fundamentals of DOE.  

• Strong background in experimental design and data analysis skillsare essential. 

• Ability to think critically, analytically and havedemonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills based on deductive reasoning. 

• Excellent teamwork and communicationskills including proven technical writingskills arerequired. Position may require weekend work. 

DesiredSkills: 

• Knowledge aboutimmunology is highly desirable.  

• Experience with cell editing technologies:CRISPR/Cas9,base editing,etc. 

• Experience with viral transduction techniquesdesirable. 

• GMP experience preferred. 

• Experience with cell characterization (dPCR, ELISA, NGS)ideal. 

• Scientific rigor in assessingown data and that of others. Utilizes forward-looking perspective to contribute to “go/no go” decisions. 

Education/Experience:  

• BS degree in Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related field with>6yearsof relevant experienceor MS degree with a minimum of4 yearsor PhD with a minimum of1yearof relevant proven experience. 

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 andrecognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind oforganization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This meanswe’re opening new ways to work, pioneeringcutting edgemethods, and bringing unexpected teams together.Interested? Come and join our journey. 

So,what’s next!  

Are you ready to bringnew ideas and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant!We have one seatavailable, and we hope it’s yours. 

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $112,304.00 - $168,456.00. 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

Closing Date

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.