AstraZeneca
Overview
Senior Assay and Data Specialist: Are you ready to push the boundaries of science and transform the lives of patients? Join the Assays Profiling and Pharmacology (APP) team at Gaithersburg within Biologics Engineering (BE), where we develop high throughput, robust, and innovative assay platforms for characterizing novel biologics. Collaborating with AstraZeneca’s therapeutic area functions, we provide cutting-edge drug discovery capabilities to support our expanding portfolio. You'll work alongside wet lab assay scientists, automation engineers, and data scientists to build interconnected workflows, creating end-to-end data workflows for standardized cellular assays used for machine learning and AI initiatives. This role is equal parts lab-based and computational, involving independent design, execution, interpretation of scientific experiments, and effective communication of findings as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
Responsibilities
Work in cross-functional teams to standardize and automate HT biochemical and cellular assays.
Operate and optimize automated in-vitro assay workflows (mostly 2D, HT plate-based, flow-based).
Ensure high-quality, high-throughput data capture, with well-structured metadata compliant with FAIR principles.
Curate, process, and analyze large assay datasets, developing scripts/pipelines for QC and normalization.
Collaborate with data engineers and data scientists to build predictive models (ML/AI) based on assay data.
Continuously improve throughput and data integrity, driving automation and analytical maturity.
Assay operations & automation
Develop, validate, and execute routine and complex in-vitro assays (cell-based, biochemical, flow-based, plate-reader, binding/functional).
Perform troubleshooting and optimization of assay conditions to maximize reproducibility and throughput.
Document all processes in ELN/LIMS, ensuring full traceability and metadata integrity.
Data curation, QC, and infrastructure development
Design and implement automated data ingestion and QC pipelines for assay outputs (plate-reader, HT flow, imaging, kinetic, etc.).
Define and enforce data and metadata schemas for all assays.
Build basic ETL (Extract–Transform–Load) pipelines into centralized storage (data lake or on-prem system).
Liaise with informatics to connect instruments → LIMS/ELN → analytics layer.
Analytics & modeling
Perform statistical analysis and visualization (curve fitting, EC50/IC50, QC metrics, reproducibility analysis).
Build and train machine learning models to predict assay behaviors, detect anomalies, or classify hits.
Integrate multi-assay data (e.g., bioassay + biophysics + omics) into analytical frameworks for decision-making.
Communicate data insights to program teams and leadership through dashboards or reports.
Essential Skills/Experience
PhD or MSc in Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Quantitative Biology, Computational Biology, or related field with 0 years of experience
Proven experience coding for data analysis and pipeline development
Demonstrated understanding of assay design AND statistical interpretation
Experience and in-depth technical knowledge of assay development with a dedication to quality and scientific rigor
Strong teammate with good communication skills and experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
Ability to tackle challenges creatively, which contribute and improve assay technologies and processes
Desirable Skills/Experience
3–6 years of experience in biopharma or biotech assay development/screening, ideally with automation exposure
Experience working in antibody or small molecule discovery teams
Compensation and Benefits The annual base pay for this position ranges from $93,913.60 - 140,870.40. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered include a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
24-Oct-2025
Closing Date
27-Nov-2025
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.
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Senior Assay and Data Specialist: Are you ready to push the boundaries of science and transform the lives of patients? Join the Assays Profiling and Pharmacology (APP) team at Gaithersburg within Biologics Engineering (BE), where we develop high throughput, robust, and innovative assay platforms for characterizing novel biologics. Collaborating with AstraZeneca’s therapeutic area functions, we provide cutting-edge drug discovery capabilities to support our expanding portfolio. You'll work alongside wet lab assay scientists, automation engineers, and data scientists to build interconnected workflows, creating end-to-end data workflows for standardized cellular assays used for machine learning and AI initiatives. This role is equal parts lab-based and computational, involving independent design, execution, interpretation of scientific experiments, and effective communication of findings as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
Responsibilities
Work in cross-functional teams to standardize and automate HT biochemical and cellular assays.
Operate and optimize automated in-vitro assay workflows (mostly 2D, HT plate-based, flow-based).
Ensure high-quality, high-throughput data capture, with well-structured metadata compliant with FAIR principles.
Curate, process, and analyze large assay datasets, developing scripts/pipelines for QC and normalization.
Collaborate with data engineers and data scientists to build predictive models (ML/AI) based on assay data.
Continuously improve throughput and data integrity, driving automation and analytical maturity.
Assay operations & automation
Develop, validate, and execute routine and complex in-vitro assays (cell-based, biochemical, flow-based, plate-reader, binding/functional).
Perform troubleshooting and optimization of assay conditions to maximize reproducibility and throughput.
Document all processes in ELN/LIMS, ensuring full traceability and metadata integrity.
Data curation, QC, and infrastructure development
Design and implement automated data ingestion and QC pipelines for assay outputs (plate-reader, HT flow, imaging, kinetic, etc.).
Define and enforce data and metadata schemas for all assays.
Build basic ETL (Extract–Transform–Load) pipelines into centralized storage (data lake or on-prem system).
Liaise with informatics to connect instruments → LIMS/ELN → analytics layer.
Analytics & modeling
Perform statistical analysis and visualization (curve fitting, EC50/IC50, QC metrics, reproducibility analysis).
Build and train machine learning models to predict assay behaviors, detect anomalies, or classify hits.
Integrate multi-assay data (e.g., bioassay + biophysics + omics) into analytical frameworks for decision-making.
Communicate data insights to program teams and leadership through dashboards or reports.
Essential Skills/Experience
PhD or MSc in Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Quantitative Biology, Computational Biology, or related field with 0 years of experience
Proven experience coding for data analysis and pipeline development
Demonstrated understanding of assay design AND statistical interpretation
Experience and in-depth technical knowledge of assay development with a dedication to quality and scientific rigor
Strong teammate with good communication skills and experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams
Ability to tackle challenges creatively, which contribute and improve assay technologies and processes
Desirable Skills/Experience
3–6 years of experience in biopharma or biotech assay development/screening, ideally with automation exposure
Experience working in antibody or small molecule discovery teams
Compensation and Benefits The annual base pay for this position ranges from $93,913.60 - 140,870.40. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered include a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.
Date Posted
24-Oct-2025
Closing Date
27-Nov-2025
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr