Senior Scientist - Cell Therapy Safety

Job Title: Senior Scientist (CLD) – Cell Therapy Safety

Location: Cambridge, UK

Do you have a background in cell therapy safety assessment and want to shape the safety strategy for innovative cellular therapeutics? Are you excited to expand your expertise in the non-clinical safety assessment of next-generation cellular modalities? If yes, AstraZeneca could have the role for you. 

About the role 

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to join our laboratory-based Cell Therapy Safety Team within Cell Therapy Translational and Safety Sciences. This role is based at our state-of-the-art Discovery Centre in Cambridge, UK, offering a collaborative environment across disciplines to drive innovation in 21st-century pharmaceutical research. 

At AstraZeneca, we value diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration. We believe teams are most creative when individuals contribute different ideas and experiences in an environment where those differences are welcomed and respected. This is how we foster continuous innovation, learning, and growth—for our people and for patients. 

What you’ll do 

You will primarily support our growing cellular medicine portfolio; including autologous, allogeneic and in vivo CAR-T. You will design and execute assays and apply molecular biology and immunology/cell biology approaches to develop methods for assessing pre-clinical safety. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Model development: Develop and validate new in vitro models to predict and assess toxicity, immunogenicity, and tumorigenicity for cellular therapeutics; contribute to broader non-clinical toxicology packages for novel modalities. 

• Scientific problem-solving: Identify and solve complex scientific problems; champion scientific and technological innovations that advance strategic capabilities. 

• External engagement: Collaborate with leading academics; publish in high-quality journals; actively contribute to scientific networks and communities. 

• Innovation: Drive innovation to support internal and external presentations and publications to strengthen AstraZeneca’s scientific leadership. 

• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with scientists across CPSS and partnered functions to translate biological insights into safety strategies for pioneering therapeutics. 

Essential qualifications and experience 

• PhD or equivalent in immunology, cellular biology, or a related discipline. 

• Strong scientific track record in immunology and/or molecular biology and cell therapy development, with practical experience in molecular biology, flow cytometry, cell therapy discovery, and ideally toxicology assessment; post-doctoral experience preferred. 

• Experience designing and/or executing in vitro and/or in vivo studies to determine safety and/or efficacy of cellular therapeutics. 

• Preferably, experience as a safety scientist in cell therapy development from project conception through to candidate selection. 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams with strong communication skills (presenting, manuscript preparation, influencing, relationship building). 

• Excellent publication record, commensurate with career stage. 

• Ability to operate in compliance with Good Laboratory Science standards, Safety, Health & Environment requirements, and relevant external regulations. 

Who you are 

You are a motivated, creative, and innovative scientist with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset. You enjoy solving complex problems with a goal-focused approach and have strong communication  

and presentation skills. You thrive in an open, positive, and collaborative working environment. 

Why AstraZeneca 

At AstraZeneca, curiosity and courage drive our science. We’re inspired by the possibility of doing what has not been done before. Empowered to step up, we challenge fear of failure, explore the biology of complex diseases, and make bold decisions—celebrating successes and learning from setbacks along the way.  We have the ambition to be a world leader in cell therapy development to meet the unmet curative needs in oncology and autoimmune diseases.  

What’s next 

Are you imagining yourself in this role? We invite you to apply today. 

Please submit your application by September 2026. 

For further details, contact Recruiting Manager: Mick Fellows at mick.fellows@astrazeneca.com.