Associate Principal Scientist, Immunology Cell Therapy Discovery

AstraZeneca, a global leader in biopharmaceuticals, is committed to discovering and delivering innovative therapies that transform patient outcomes. We are seeking a dedicated, hands‑on Associate Principal Scientist or Principal Scientist to join our Immunology Cell Therapy Discovery team. This role will provide scientific and technical leadership across discovery initiatives with a dual emphasis on immune mediated diseases and computational innovation, with particular focus on bioinformatics, data science, and AI architecture to accelerate cell therapy discovery. The successful candidate will operate at the interface of immunology, computational biology, and AI‑enabled research, partnering across multidisciplinary teams to advance target identification, patient stratification, translational insights, and platform capabilities that support AstraZeneca’s discovery portfolio. Key Areas of Focus 1. Bioinformatics Lead and apply advanced bioinformatics approaches to support research in immune mediated diseases. Design and implement robust analytical workflows for bulk and single‑cell RNA sequencing, immune repertoire analysis, multi‑omics integration, target and pathway identification, and biomarker or endotype discovery. Emphasize reproducibility, data quality, statistical rigor, and actionable biological insights that inform experimental strategy and portfolio decisions. 2. Data Science Drive data science strategies that integrate complex biological datasets to improve understanding of disease heterogeneity, preclinical readout, and mechanism of action. Develop and apply statistical models, machine learning approaches, and advanced data integration methods to support hypothesis generation, patient segmentation, and evidence‑based decision‑making. Build scalable, interpretable analytical frameworks that connect computational findings with experimental validation. 3. AI Architect Serve as an AI Architect within the discovery organization, designing, developing, and maintaining reusable codebases that improve productivity, scalability, and scientific innovation. Lead innovation by integrating AI into core workflows, build AI‑powered applications, and advance AI‑driven discovery, including automation, knowledge extraction, and sustainable coding practices. Accountabilities Bioinformatics and Computational Discovery: Design, implement, and continuously improve analytical workflows for bulk and single‑cell transcriptomics, immune repertoire analyses, multi‑omics integration, and biomarker/endotype discovery, ensuring reproducibility, quality control, and scientific rigor. Data Science Innovation: Apply advanced data science and machine learning methods to derive insights from high‑dimensional biological and translational datasets, supporting target selection, patient stratification, mechanism‑of‑action studies, and portfolio prioritization. AI Architecture and Enablement: Design, develop, and maintain reusable AI‑enabled codebases and computational frameworks; integrate AI into core discovery workflows; contribute to or build AI‑powered applications; and advance the use of AI to improve scientific decision‑making and discovery efficiency. Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with key stakeholders internally and externally to align scientific, computational, and AI strategies with broader R&D priorities; communicate complex findings clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences. Governance and Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and company policies related to the development and delivery of medicines, including expectations for data governance, privacy, and responsible use of human‑derived datasets. Essential Skills and Experience Education and Industry Experience: PhD with 5+ years of relevant biotech or biopharma industry experience in Immunology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Data Science, or a related discipline. Bioinformatics Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in bulk RNA‑seq, single‑cell RNA‑seq, immune repertoire analytics, integrative multi‑omics, and biomarker/endotype discovery, with a strong understanding of analytical design, quality control, and interpretation in a discovery setting. Data Science Expertise: Strong experience in statistical modeling, machine learning, data integration, and data visualization, with the ability to extract meaningful and decision‑relevant insights from complex biological and translational datasets. AI Architecture and Software Development: Proven ability as an AI‑enabled coder to design, develop, and maintain reusable codebases, contribute to or build AI‑powered applications, and integrate AI solutions into scientific workflows to improve efficiency and innovation. Programming Skills: Strong programming proficiency in Python and/or R, with experience in workflow reproducibility, version control, modular code development, and scalable analytical pipelines. Desirable Skills and Experience Industry Network: Established connections within immunology, computational biology, data science, or AI communities, including experience collaborating with CROs, academic groups, or research consortia. Publication Record: Strong track record of peer‑reviewed publications in immunology, computational biology, bioinformatics, data science, or related fields. Therapeutic Modality Breadth: Experience working across multiple therapeutic modalities, including cell therapies, biologics, and/or small molecules, and familiarity with combination strategies relevant to autoimmune and allergic indications. AI Application Development: Experience building internal scientific tools, decision‑support systems, workflow automation tools, or other AI‑powered applications that enhance research productivity and discovery quality. Benefits The annual base pay for this position ranges from $134,892.80 ‑ $202,339.20. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—including 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. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr