Research Associate Early Respiratory & Immunology

Scientist/Lab Manager Bioscience Immunology, Early Respiratory and Immunology 

Location: Waltham, MA

AstraZeneca is a global, science-driven biopharmaceutical company. We are dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative, meaningful medicines and healthcare solutions that enrich the lives of patients. The vision of AstraZeneca Early Respiratory & Immunology (Early R&I) is centered on delivering life-changing products that advance world health and help fight and cure disease. Early R&I is one of three main therapeutic research areas within AstraZeneca that deliver candidate drugs into late-stage clinical development. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day.

As a part of building Immunology Bioscience team within Early R&I department, we are seeking a highly motivated scientist/lab manager with a strong understanding of adaptive and/or innate immunity and ideally understanding key biological pathways in immune-mediated diseases. The role will be based in Waltham (MA) within AstraZeneca’s state-of-the-art laboratories where you will follow the science to help drive innovation and advance medicine to help improve patient lives.

In this role, you expected to manage lab operations (30-50%) and will be involved in innovative scientific research leading to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics (50-70%). Ideally, you have expertise in T-, B- and innate immunity and/or mechanisms involved in tissue pathology in immune-mediated diseases. Experience in complex co-culture systems and cell imaging, and an ability to apply this experience to an understanding of the basic mechanisms of human immune-mediated disease is preferred.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• This role includes working with scientists to optimize work environment, placement of people and equipment, manage equipment maintenance etc,

• You will focus your research on characterizing novel immunological pathways in health and disease to aid target validation and drug projects

• You will execute drug discovery research experiments independently by applying the techniques of molecular and cellular biology, communicates the results to team members and is involved in the interpretation of data

• You will contribute to development of the strategies for new target identification and validation

• You will collaborate with scientists from a variety of functional teams in Waltham and with our sites in Gaithersburg, MD; Cambridge, UK and Gothenburg, Sweden.

• You will involve in the development of new assays and implementing novel technical advances with human tissue culture

• Encouragement and support will be provided to help the individual develop specialist knowledge and skill sets.

Requirements

• BA/BS Degree +2 years of experience, OR Master’s degree in relevant scientific discipline preferred with 0 years of experience

• Experience managing some aspect of a biological research lab in an academic or pharmaceutical industry setting

• Expertise in drug discovery projects in the immunology or a closely related field of biology is preferred

• Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team to conduct a high-level research project.

• Strong hands-on skills in basic biochemical, immunological, and molecular techniques including cell culture, quantification of mRNA (qPCR) and protein expression; ELISA, Western blot, and Immunoprecipitation; MSD. Luminex etc.

• Expertise in primary human cell culture including co-culture models, expertise in multi-parametric FACS, including both intracellular and extracellular cell surface markers are essential.

• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to critically analyze data sets

• Demonstrated ability to run collaborative efforts and utilize external resources to find the most effective solutions to drug discovery problems

• Ability to record protocols and experiments in timely manner and maintain excellent laboratory notebook.

Benefits:

AstraZeneca is a leading company in the healthcare industry, with a mission to enrich the lives of others. It’s our business to support healthy living, not only for our patients, but also for our employees. Our benefits program is flexible enough to meet employees’ varying needs, offers valuable choices, and is highly competitive.

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 and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together.

Come and join our journey -  Apply today!

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026.  Find out more information here:    

Kendall Square Press Release

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $87,000 to $130,000. However, 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) or to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles). Benefits offered included 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 salary (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. 

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 authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.