AstraZeneca

Senior Scientist, Cell Line Development

AstraZeneca$112K — $168K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD or Master's degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Virology, or a related field with relevant experience.
  • Minimum 2-5 years post-PhD or 5-8 years post-Master's degree, or 8-10 years post-Bachelor's degree in relevant roles.
  • Hands-on experience in mammalian cell line development (CLD) and viral vector packaging is required.
  • Proficiency with single-cell isolation techniques and cloning characterization tools such as flow cytometry is essential.
  • Strong background in genetic modification techniques like CRISPR/Cas9.

Responsibilities

  • Develop mammalian cell lines through single-cell isolation, mini-pool generation, and viral vector packaging.
  • Establish workflows for high-throughput screening and rapid clone evaluation.
  • Lead cell line engineering projects to enhance vector production and genetic stability.
  • Analyze complex datasets and ensure accurate documentation of experimental processes.
  • Collaborate with process development and analytical teams for effective method transfers.

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Retirement programs with qualified options.
  • Paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and leaves.
  • Eligibility for short-term incentive bonuses and equity-based awards.
  • Opportunities for professional development in a fast-paced lab environment.
Full Job Description
Your work will center on independently accomplishing single-cell isolation, small-scale viral packaging, high-throughput screening, and evaluating clone productivity and product quality to deliver stable and top-performing clones supporting AstraZeneca's emerging Cell Therapy portfolio. This position is based in Gaithersburg, MD.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Cell Line Development & Viral Packaging: Perform mammalian CLD activities, including single-cell and mini-pool generation, small-scale viral vector packaging and high throughput titration, and clone selection to achieve robust viral productivity for upstream processes.
  • High-Throughput Screening & Analytics Interface: Establish efficient, scalable workflows for rapid cell characterization and clone evaluation, and high-throughput titer screening; partner with analytical and process development teams to link clone selection choices to critical quality attributes using molecular/cell analytics (e.g., flow cytometry, qPCR/ddPCR, ELISA, titering assays).
  • Cell line engineering: lead and implement cell line engineering to improve cell line performance, including LVV packaging efficiency, vector quality, genetic stability and overall robustness
  • Data Analysis & Collaboration: Analyze and interpret complex datasets, maintain accurate experimental documentation, and collaborate with upstream Process Development and Analytical teams to support smooth process handoffs.


Qualifications:
  • Education: PhD degree (or equivalent to 2-5 yoe) or Master's degree (or equivalent to 5-8 yoe) in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Virology, or a related scientific field.
  • BS+8-10 yoe / MS+3-4 yoe / PhD+0-2 yoe

Core Technical Expertise:
  • Extensive, hands-on experience in mammalian CLD, viral vector packaging, and clone screening, with a strong emphasis on cultivating and optimizing HEK293 based host cells in suspension culture for high-yield Lentiviral vector production.
  • Proficiency in single-cell isolation using cell sorter, advanced imaging systems, and clone characterization via flow cytometry.
  • Experience with high-throughput titration assays and utilizing, maintaining, and troubleshooting automated liquid handling and high-throughput screening platforms.
  • Experience with stable genetic modification of mammalian cells using approaches such as CRISPR/cas9


Desirable Experience:
  • Experience in monoclonality validation and expanding stable master cell lines.
  • Hands-on experience in virus/vector engineering for host cell line optimization or vector performance improvement.
  • Background in viral vector biology, cell and gene therapy within the pharmaceutical industry, supporting vector design/engineering for maximized titers, quality and overall manufacturability.
  • Viral vector stable producer cell line development


Core Competencies: Effective interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, and independent troubleshooting capabilities and in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $

112,304.00 - 168,456.00

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.

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
10-Sep-2026

Closing Date
24-Sep-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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