Postdoctoral Fellow, Chemical Biology
Apply NowCompany: AstraZeneca
Location: Waltham, MA 02453
Description:
Therapeutic Area Description
The Discovery Sciences department applies the latest technologies for target discovery, hit identification and lead optimization across AstraZeneca's key therapy areas. The postdoctoral fellow will work in the Chemical Biology and Proteomics group within Discovery Sciences. This group leverages chemical tools and proteomics technologies to conduct profiling and mechanistic studies to fully understand our targets and molecules and enable project progression towards the clinic. For this position, Discovery Sciences is partnering with Oncology Biosciences to link disease targets and pathology to clinical opportunity.
External Links
Oncology - AstraZeneca - Redefining Cancer Care
Our approach to R&D (astrazeneca.com)
Role Summary
Do you have a strong expertise in Chemical biology or Cell biology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact on understanding a novel cellular degradation pathway for a subset of proteins at a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines?
What is the purpose of this position?
The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for performing experimental work using Cell Biology and Chemical Biology techniques to probe and understand the mechanistic details of a unique in-cell degradation machinery and pathway.
What's Involved in the Role?
The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for planning, conducting and electronically recording experiments. They will be expected to drive the science forward under the supervision of the industry and academic supervisors. Most of the time will be spent conducting research within AstraZeneca's laboratories. They will be expected to communicate and present work in forums within Discovery Sciences and Oncology, as well as externally to national and international conferences. Fostering close relationships with the relevant parties in Discovery Sciences and Oncology will be critical to the success of this project.
Why Should They Apply?
First, this is an exciting scientific opportunity because the postdoc will work in a novel pathway of protein degradation that we have identified and that may regulate several proteins of high therapeutic potential. We expect the postdoc to push the boundaries in the field and contribute to elucidate detailed mechanistic insights regarding this pathway.
Second, this position will give the opportunity to the candidate to collaboratively work in a research-driven world leading pharma and while doing their postdoctoral training, the opportunity to understand how drug discovery is done in the private sector. The academic supervisor and the AZ team will help smooth the transition between academia and pharma.
Third, the project is a highly interdisciplinary endeavor and will combine access to several cutting-edge technologies and advanced instrumentations (such as high content imaging and mass spectrometry).
Finally, since this is a novel pathway not yet described in the literature, we envisage 1-2 publications in high impact journals, the possibility to write a topical review during the postdoctoral training and eventually help other publications efforts within AZ.
Collaborations
The position is an excellent opportunity to collaboratively work across different AZ departments and sites. The primary supervisor, Wankyu Lee, has a diverse set of experience in chemical biology and proteomics in drug discovery. The position will be based in the Chemical Biology and Proteomics team, where we seek to use chemical biology and proteomics to profile compounds in cells and understand novel mechanisms to illuminate opportunities to drug challenging targets. Other members of the supervising team include Gustavo Gutierrez, who has a wealth of experience in understanding E3 ligases and the cell degradation machinery; Jon Read, who has extensive structural biology experience; and Yuanyuan Si, who has deep expertise in biochemistry and chemical biology. From Oncology Bioscience, Huayang Liu and Sungmi Park-Chouinard are experts in cancer biology and functional genomics. AstraZeneca has a strong network of postdoctoral scientists in Discovery Sciences and Oncology, and it is expected from the candidate to actively contribute to this community.
Essential Skills, Experience & Behaviours
Essential Qualifications / Education
Desirable Skills, Experience & Behaviors
Personal Characteristics & Behaviors
Stages of interview
To find out more go to: astrazeneca.com and https://careers.astrazeneca.com/bpd
We anticipate a high volume of applicants, so do not delay, applying today!
Compensation for this role, depending on years of research experience, is a minimum of US$96,000 up to Max of US$104,000 + short-term incentive. Some relocation supplements depend on distance and location at the employer's discretion.
Date Posted
16-Apr-2025
Closing Date
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.
The Discovery Sciences department applies the latest technologies for target discovery, hit identification and lead optimization across AstraZeneca's key therapy areas. The postdoctoral fellow will work in the Chemical Biology and Proteomics group within Discovery Sciences. This group leverages chemical tools and proteomics technologies to conduct profiling and mechanistic studies to fully understand our targets and molecules and enable project progression towards the clinic. For this position, Discovery Sciences is partnering with Oncology Biosciences to link disease targets and pathology to clinical opportunity.
External Links
Oncology - AstraZeneca - Redefining Cancer Care
Our approach to R&D (astrazeneca.com)
Role Summary
Do you have a strong expertise in Chemical biology or Cell biology? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact on understanding a novel cellular degradation pathway for a subset of proteins at a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines?
What is the purpose of this position?
The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for performing experimental work using Cell Biology and Chemical Biology techniques to probe and understand the mechanistic details of a unique in-cell degradation machinery and pathway.
What's Involved in the Role?
The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for planning, conducting and electronically recording experiments. They will be expected to drive the science forward under the supervision of the industry and academic supervisors. Most of the time will be spent conducting research within AstraZeneca's laboratories. They will be expected to communicate and present work in forums within Discovery Sciences and Oncology, as well as externally to national and international conferences. Fostering close relationships with the relevant parties in Discovery Sciences and Oncology will be critical to the success of this project.
Why Should They Apply?
First, this is an exciting scientific opportunity because the postdoc will work in a novel pathway of protein degradation that we have identified and that may regulate several proteins of high therapeutic potential. We expect the postdoc to push the boundaries in the field and contribute to elucidate detailed mechanistic insights regarding this pathway.
Second, this position will give the opportunity to the candidate to collaboratively work in a research-driven world leading pharma and while doing their postdoctoral training, the opportunity to understand how drug discovery is done in the private sector. The academic supervisor and the AZ team will help smooth the transition between academia and pharma.
Third, the project is a highly interdisciplinary endeavor and will combine access to several cutting-edge technologies and advanced instrumentations (such as high content imaging and mass spectrometry).
Finally, since this is a novel pathway not yet described in the literature, we envisage 1-2 publications in high impact journals, the possibility to write a topical review during the postdoctoral training and eventually help other publications efforts within AZ.
Collaborations
The position is an excellent opportunity to collaboratively work across different AZ departments and sites. The primary supervisor, Wankyu Lee, has a diverse set of experience in chemical biology and proteomics in drug discovery. The position will be based in the Chemical Biology and Proteomics team, where we seek to use chemical biology and proteomics to profile compounds in cells and understand novel mechanisms to illuminate opportunities to drug challenging targets. Other members of the supervising team include Gustavo Gutierrez, who has a wealth of experience in understanding E3 ligases and the cell degradation machinery; Jon Read, who has extensive structural biology experience; and Yuanyuan Si, who has deep expertise in biochemistry and chemical biology. From Oncology Bioscience, Huayang Liu and Sungmi Park-Chouinard are experts in cancer biology and functional genomics. AstraZeneca has a strong network of postdoctoral scientists in Discovery Sciences and Oncology, and it is expected from the candidate to actively contribute to this community.
Essential Skills, Experience & Behaviours
- PhD in Life Sciences, such as Cell biology, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry or Cancer Biology
- Strong interest in protein post-translational modifications and cellular degradation biology/mechanisms
- Strong expertise in mammalian cell culture
- Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
- A proven record of publishing in reputable scientific journals (> 1+ first author publication)
Essential Qualifications / Education
- Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry or Cancer Biology
Desirable Skills, Experience & Behaviors
- Genetic knockdown experience (siRNA, shRNA, CRISPR, etc)
- Extensive knowledge of pre-clinical oncology
- Mass spectrometry experience
- Immunoprecipitation or cell imaging experience
Personal Characteristics & Behaviors
- Candidate must be able to work independently
- Candidate must be able to efficiently and productively interact with a large number of stakeholders (supervisors and colleagues)
- Able to perform in a fast-paced scientific environment
- Flexibility, adaptability and agility
- A genuine commitment to human medical science
- Data-driven decision making
- Capable of creativity for bringing their own ideas
- High integrity in science in terms of reproducibility and robustness of data to be published
Stages of interview
- Applicants are reviewed for fit/skills and invited to each step
- You may not be invited to each step.
- (1) One-way video interview
- (2) Virtual Interview Panel with presentation
To find out more go to: astrazeneca.com and https://careers.astrazeneca.com/bpd
We anticipate a high volume of applicants, so do not delay, applying today!
Compensation for this role, depending on years of research experience, is a minimum of US$96,000 up to Max of US$104,000 + short-term incentive. Some relocation supplements depend on distance and location at the employer's discretion.
Date Posted
16-Apr-2025
Closing Date
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.