Principal Scientist – Metabolism Bioscience Research, CVRM

AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.

Principal Scientist – Metabolism Bioscience Research, CVRM

Location: Cambridge, UK

Are you an expert in the CNS control of obesity and weight management? Would you like to apply your research expertise to accelerating innovative science and turn ideas into life changing medicines? Join us to discover future treatments of Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CVRM) diseases!

Working at AstraZeneca means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. We are now recruiting for a high calibre Principal Scientist to join the metabolism bioscience team within Research and Early Development CVRM. The position will be placed at AstraZeneca’s Global HQ R&D site in Cambridge, UK.

CVRM is one of the three main therapeutic research areas within AstraZeneca which deliver candidate drugs into clinical development. The CVRM Bioscience department has a dynamic environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. We are a team of professionals who are passionate about advancing science to discover and develop novel therapeutics that will benefit patients suffering from diabetes, obesity and their co-morbidities.

What you’ll do:

This is a key scientific leadership position where the successful candidate can lead the strategic direction and craft the future focus on obesity and weight management by targeting CNS pathways and mechanisms. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to excel from both the lab bench and through project and science leadership. You will use your neuroendocrine expertise to develop and build the scientific and technical capabilities required to progress new therapeutic interventions. You will lead the generation of key experimental data through multi-disciplinary project teams across Cambridge (UK), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Gaithersburg (US) as well as through leading external collaborations. The position will report to the Senior Director of Metabolism Bioscience, based in Cambridge, UK.

Role Profile:

  • You will be an expert in the metabolic diseases research area and will play an active role in the prosecution of a portfolio of drug projects in multidisciplinary drug development teams to bring novel treatment options to patients
  • Recognised as an expert in understanding the neurocircuitry of appetite and weight management control; you will work on difficult drug projects to solve sophisticated scientific questions to provide innovative solutions
  • You will work with the leadership team to contribute to the research strategy evolution and direction in Bioscience department.
  • Act as a champion for novel approaches for drug discovery for central mechanisms of weight control, promoting scientific debate and innovation within CVRM Research through encouraging personal leadership and mentorship.
  • You will play a leading role in the selection and validation of research targets through to early clinical development for a broad range of therapeutics modalities.
  • You will be an expert in new model development and methodologies with a passion for laboratory work and scientific curiosity.
  • The successful candidate will be encouraged to maximise their network to establish strong research collaborations towards developing novel therapeutic options.
  • You will act as bioscience lead and project leader on discovery projects to conduct, plan and lead highly sophisticated scientific projects with internal multidisciplinary teams and collaborators within and outside the organisation.
  • Raise the scientific profile of CVRM both within AstraZeneca and externally through publications, presentations and leading collaborations.

Essential for the role

  • PhD and postdoctoral experience in life sciences or equivalent relevant proven experience.
  • 5+ years’ experience in drug discovery
  • Proven expertise in researching CNS mechanisms of body weight regulation and demonstrated ability to direct laboratory-based research
  • Expert scientific knowledge in metabolic disease research.
  • Evidence of scientific leadership recognised by strong publication record and enthusiasm to maintain a high external scientific profile through publication and conference presentations.
  • Proven track record to manage sophisticated projects, collaborations and partnerships

Desirable for the role

  • 5+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical / biotech industry
  • Significant experience of in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo technologies for assessing signalling endpoints for multiple target classes.
  • Strong evidence of ability in leading several simultaneous projects/tasks
  • Extensive experience working with a network of research experts in the obesity metabolism field.

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

Welcome with your application no later than Friday 4th October

Where can I find out more?

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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 authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

Apply now


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