Job Description
Job Title: Senior Scientist, Bioinformatics/Computational Biology, Protein Engineering
Location: Gaithersburg, MD Introduction to role: Join us in the Biologics Engineering team, where we are at the forefront of discovering and designing next-generation biologics. Our Protein Engineering & Novel Modalities Group is dedicated to creating complex therapeutics that address unmet medical needs. We are passionate about pushing scientific boundaries to deliver life-changing medicines, collaborating across the AZ Research organization to innovate and optimize biological drug candidates with enhanced safety and efficacy.
Accountabilities: Are you ready to make a difference in the field of antibody therapeutics? As a Bioinformatics Scientist or Computational Biologist, you will be instrumental in advancing bispecific and multispecific antibody therapeutics. Your expertise in bioinformatics, computational modeling, and AI-driven approaches will drive innovation in multispecific antibody engineering.
- Analyze antibody sequence and structure data to identify and optimize bispecific and multispecific candidates using bioinformatics and AI tools.
- Design and implement computational workflows for in silico design and assessment of multispecific antibodies, including structure, specificity, and function prediction.
- Apply statistical methods and visualization techniques to extract meaningful patterns and communicate findings to cross-functional teams.
- Collaborate and partner with AI/machine learning teams and functional hubs across the organization to drive multispecific evolution.
- Work closely with wet-lab scientists to interpret high-throughput screening data and guide experimental design.
- Prepare, analyze, and present data internally and externally.
- Stay current with advances in bioinformatics methodology and antibody engineering technologies, contributing ideas for improved data analysis strategies.
Essential Skills/Experience:
- PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biochemistry, or closely related discipline with 2+ years of post-graduate experience applying bioinformatics and/or computational biology approaches in antibody or protein engineering.
- Expert knowledge of common bioinformatics databases, resources, and tools, such as PDB, UniProt, IMGT, SAbDab, and relevant antibody engineering platforms.
- Proven expertise in protein sequence analysis, structural modeling, and applying AI/ML techniques to predict antibody features and functionality.
- Advanced proficiency in using bioinformatics tools and computational platforms for protein sequence and structure analysis.
- Hands-on skills with scripting and programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and with advanced modeling tools for antibody engineering (e.g., Rosetta, PyRosetta, AlphaFold-Multimer, DeepChain, or similar).
- Experience building and optimizing computational workflows for large-scale protein data analysis and visualization.
- Demonstrated success collaborating within cross-functional teams, communicating computational results to guide experimental design and construct optimization.
- Track record of scientific innovation evidenced by publications, patents, or conference presentations in computational protein engineering or related fields.
Desirable Skills/Experience:
- Understanding of therapeutic antibody developability, including the computational assessment of immunogenicity, stability, and potential liability prediction.
- Expertise in modeling antibody-antigen interactions and computational methods for predicting binding interactions.
- Ability to integrate data from diverse public and proprietary sources, translating computational results into actionable insights for experimental teams.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and effective presentation of complex scientific data to cross-functional and senior management.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the adaptability to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary pharma environment.
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
At AstraZeneca, we are driven by curiosity and courage to explore new scientific frontiers. Our commitment to making a difference fuels our passion for science as we fuse data and technology with innovative approaches. We work seamlessly as one inclusive team, leveraging diverse global knowledge to create swift impacts on disease. With opportunities for lifelong learning and growth, we empower our employees to push boundaries and deliver transformative medicines that impact patients worldwide.
Ready to make an impact? Apply now to join our team of innovators at AstraZeneca!
Date Posted 15-Aug-2025
Closing Date 31-Aug-2025
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.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Worldwide, Flexible hours, 3 days per week,