Senior Assay and Data Specialist

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. As a Senior Assay and Data Specialist, you'll work alongside wet lab assay scientists, automation engineers, and data scientists to build interconnected workflows. You'll be the primary assay and data hybrid scientist responsible for creating end-to-end data workflows for standardized cellular assays, ultimately employed 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.

Accountabilities:

• 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 in Pharmacology, Bioengineering, Quantitative Biology, Computational Biology, or related field with 2 years of relevant 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

AstraZeneca offers an empowering environment where you can act fast on smart risks. In the fast-paced Oncology field, you'll be encouraged to prioritize and make bold moves. We are fearless decision-makers who speak up and constructively challenge while following scientific evidence. With one of the broadest Oncology pipelines in the industry, there are countless opportunities to work with novel drugs and discover what's next. Our collaborative spirit draws on diverse knowledge from across the business and external partners to tackle the toughest medical challenges. Join us at the forefront of applying science to studies using innovative approaches to create new possibilities.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our team!

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 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 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

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.