Senior Scientist or Associate Principal Scientist, Metabolism Team – AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK

AstraZeneca is currently accepting applications for a Senior Scientist or Associate Principal Scientist to join the Metabolism team within the Early Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (Early CVRM) therapeutic area at the company’s R&D site in Cambridge, United Kingdom. This laboratory-based position offers an opportunity to contribute to the discovery of novel treatments for obesity and related metabolic diseases, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists across the UK, Sweden, and the United States.

Quick Job Overview

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, focused on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines. Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 90,000 people worldwide. The company’s research pipeline spans oncology, cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, respiratory, immunology, and rare diseases. AstraZeneca’s Cambridge site, known as The Discovery Centre (DISC), is one of the most advanced research facilities in Europe and serves as the company’s global R&D hub. The site houses state-of-the-art laboratories and brings together scientists from multiple disciplines in a collaborative environment designed to accelerate the journey from early research to life-changing medicines.

What This Role Involves

The Senior Scientist or Associate Principal Scientist will serve as the primary in vitro and ex vivo biologist on drug discovery teams within the Metabolism division of Early CVRM. The successful candidate will help drive the progression of projects from early research through candidate selection, working specifically on novel therapies for the treatment of obesity and its complications.

This is a laboratory-based position where the appointee will apply research skills and expertise in appetite suppression pathways to identify and validate therapeutic targets for eliciting body weight loss. The role involves generating key experimental data and results in support of drug discovery projects, working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary project teams across AstraZeneca’s sites in Cambridge (UK), Gothenburg (Sweden), and Gaithersburg (US), as well as through leading external collaborations. The position requires someone who can design and implement experiments efficiently, analyse, interpret, and present data, and drive new research directions independently.

Key duties include developing and validating in vitro, advanced cell models, and ex vivo models and assays for studying obesity and assessing signalling endpoints for multiple target classes; designing and performing experiments to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of novel drug candidates; analysing and interpreting experimental data and presenting research findings to project teams, external partners, and at scientific conferences; collaborating with cross-functional teams to support drug discovery and development projects; staying current with the latest scientific advancements in the field of metabolic disease and obesity; identifying and developing new target ideas and implementing new models, assays, and latest technologies relevant to the obesity and metabolic diseases research areas; and preparing scientific publications and documents for patents and regulatory submissions.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Essential qualifications:

• PhD with postdoctoral training in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, or another relevant area
• Deep understanding of CNS pathways and signal transduction mechanisms that govern body weight control, with a proven track record in the metabolic neuroscience field
• Demonstrable hands-on experience working with a variety of in vitro cell-based and ex vivo methods and technologies applicable to researching and understanding neurocircuits of appetite regulation
• Proven ability to develop and optimise new models and protocols, troubleshoot, interpret experimental results and data, and maintain accurate, high-quality, and up-to-date experimental records
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation using relevant software and statistical tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to clearly articulate complex scientific concepts, and an ability to quickly learn and embrace new technologies
• Experience or fresh ideas for leveraging AI in obesity research
• Strong publication record as exemplified by first-author publications in high-impact journals

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience in leading CNS model development suitable for high-throughput target screening platforms
• Experience in molecular biology approaches and vector design for interrogating appetite regulatory pathways and mechanisms
• HO PIL A/B/C licence holder with experience in stereotactic manipulations, analysis of feeding behaviour, and nausea/emesis
• Experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in drug discovery and development

Salary, Benefits, and Relocation Support

AstraZeneca describes the salary for this role as competitive, with excellent company benefits. The specific salary figure has not been published by the employer. Benefits at AstraZeneca typically include a performance-related bonus, private medical insurance, a competitive pension scheme, share ownership programmes, and a range of flexible working arrangements. Relocation support has not been explicitly confirmed for this specific role. Applicants are encouraged to discuss salary and benefits details directly with AstraZeneca during the recruitment process.

Work Permit / Visa Note

AstraZeneca has not explicitly stated whether visa sponsorship or work authorisation support is available for this position. The role is based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The UK offers various work visa routes, including the Skilled Worker visa for eligible occupations; however, the availability of sponsorship for this specific role has not been confirmed by the employer. International applicants should not assume that sponsorship will be provided and are advised to discuss work authorisation directly with AstraZeneca’s recruitment team before or during the application process.

Who This Role May Suit

This position may suit researchers who hold a PhD in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, or a related discipline and who have significant postdoctoral experience in metabolic neuroscience, particularly in the areas of CNS control of appetite and body weight regulation. Candidates who thrive in a laboratory-based setting and who enjoy hands-on experimental work, from assay development through to data generation and interpretation, are likely to find this role a strong fit. The position would also appeal to scientists who are interested in translating basic research into drug discovery outcomes within a large, regulated pharmaceutical environment. Experience with AI applications in biomedical research is noted as an advantage, reflecting the company’s interest in innovative approaches to target identification and validation.

How to Apply Officially

Applications must be submitted directly through AstraZeneca’s official careers website. The deadline for applications is 21 May 2026. To apply, visit the official job listing page and follow the application instructions provided by AstraZeneca. Only applications submitted through the official AstraZeneca careers portal will be considered.

Official application link: Apply on AstraZeneca Careers

Required Documents (If Known)

AstraZeneca has not published a specific list of required documents for this application. However, applicants for scientific research positions at AstraZeneca are typically expected to submit a curriculum vitae (CV), a cover letter outlining their research experience and interest in the role, and a list of publications. Candidates may also be asked to provide details of their educational qualifications and professional references during the recruitment process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the closing date for this role?
The closing date for applications is 21 May 2026, as stated on the official AstraZeneca careers page.

Is this a remote or on-site position?
This is a laboratory-based, on-site position at AstraZeneca’s R&D site in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Does AstraZeneca provide visa sponsorship for this role?
Visa sponsorship has not been explicitly confirmed by the employer for this position. International applicants should contact AstraZeneca’s recruitment team directly to clarify work authorisation options.

What level of experience is required?
The role requires a PhD with postdoctoral training in a relevant field, along with demonstrated hands-on experience in in vitro and ex vivo methods related to metabolic neuroscience and appetite regulation.

Is the salary published for this role?
No. AstraZeneca describes the salary as competitive with excellent benefits, but the specific figure has not been published. Applicants are encouraged to discuss salary during the recruitment process.

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Disclaimer

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