The Opportunity:
Location: Cambridge
Contract: 12-month contract
About the Role
We are recruiting a Senior Scientist – Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences (DLS) to join our client's highly regulated, CAP/CLIA-accredited laboratory environment in Cambridge. This is a senior, hands-on laboratory role embedded within AstraZeneca's Precision Diagnostics Development (PDD) group, supporting the development, optimisation, validation and operationalisation of cutting-edge diagnostic solutions.
Working within a collaborative scientific environment, you will provide scientific leadership and operational oversight across histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), assay development, validation, and digital/computational pathology workflows . You will play a key role in ensuring laboratory quality, regulatory compliance and the successful delivery of diagnostic development programmes that contribute directly to precision medicine and improved patient outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Provide scientific leadership and day-to-day operational oversight of laboratory activities
Independently perform and supervise technical laboratory work in accordance with SOPs and quality standards
Lead assay development, optimisation, characterisation, verification and validation activities
Act as Project Lead for design control and assay validation programmes
Design and execute studies to establish assay performance characteristics including sensitivity, specificity, precision and linearity
Analyse experimental data using statistical approaches and design of experiments (DOE) methodologies
Develop and optimise sample preparation workflows, including microtomy across a range of human tissue types
Operate, maintain and troubleshoot automated histology and IHC platforms including Ventana, Leica and Dako systems
Support and oversee digital pathology workflows including image scanning, quality control and issue resolution
Ensure compliance with CAP/CLIA, ISO, HTA, GCP and other applicable regulatory frameworks
Support quality management activities including design controls, supplier controls, change controls, risk management and CAPA processes
Manage laboratory data and documentation using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Collaborate closely with scientists, project managers and cross-functional stakeholders to communicate findings and project progress effectively
Support staff training and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the laboratory
About You
Essential:
BSc degree (or equivalent experience) in Biomedical Science, Pathology, Molecular Biology or a related scientific discipline
Minimum 5 years' experience within a diagnostic histopathology and/or immunohistochemistry laboratory
Proven experience performing microtomy and handling a wide range of human tissue samples
Strong understanding of immunohistochemistry and its application within diagnostics and patient care
Experience working within regulated laboratory environments such as CAP/CLIA, ISO15189, HTA or GCP
Experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
Demonstrated ability to manage projects, prioritise workloads and work effectively within matrix teams
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Strong commitment to quality, compliance and data integrity
Desirable:
HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist or Clinical Scientist
Experience in diagnostic product development, design controls and analytical validation
Hands-on experience operating and maintaining automated IHC and histology platforms (e.g. Ventana BenchMark, Leica BOND RX, Dako Omnis, Leica Spectra ST)
Experience leading assay development and optimisation projects
Experience within CAP/CLIA or ISO15189 accredited diagnostic laboratories
Experience with digital pathology, whole-slide imaging and image quality control
Interest in advancing computational pathology and innovative diagnostic technologies
Why Join AVANTOR?
Contribute to cutting-edge precision diagnostics and…