Scientist, Bioscience – Cell & Mechanistic Biology

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About the role

Driven by science and collaboration, you will help advance innovative therapies for patients with haematological cancers. Join Acerta Pharma, part of AstraZeneca, and contribute to cutting-edge oncology research in an international environment where your expertise and ideas are valued.   Scientist, Bioscience – Cell & Mechanistic Biology (Haematology Oncology / Small Molecules) Location: Pivot Park Oss -> Amsterdam UMC Campus (from April 2027) Full time | 40 hours per week   At Acerta Pharma, part of the AstraZeneca group, we are driven by one mission: transforming the lives of patients with haematological cancers through groundbreaking science and innovative therapies. As we expand our research footprint in the Netherlands, we are building toward an exciting new chapter — the launch of the AstraZeneca Netherlands R&D hub in Amsterdam in April 2027. Until then, you will work from our state-of-the-art facilities in Oss before transitioning to our new Amsterdam UMC campus location. This is a unique opportunity to join a growing oncology research organisation at a pivotal moment and help shape the future of oncology drug discovery, developing novel therapies for haematological malignancies. The role As a Scientist in Bioscience, you will support target identification and validation, mechanism-of-action studies and small-molecule drug discovery programmes in haematological oncology. You will plan and perform hands-on cell and molecular biology experiments to investigate target biology, pathway activity and cellular responses to compound treatment or genetic perturbation. Your work will include CRISPR/Cas9-based workflows, pharmacological perturbation, cell-based assay development and execution, pathway analysis and cellular imaging. You will analyse and communicate biological findings, contribute to experimental planning and collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams. The role is suited to a practical, scientifically curious scientist with experience across cell biology, molecular biology and mechanistic analysis and an interest in applying and further developing imaging-based approaches. What you’ll be doing • Cell-based assays : Design, optimise and execute assays measuring cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, pathway activation and other treatment responses to support drug discovery projects. • Target identification and validation : Apply CRISPR/Cas9 and other genetic or pharmacological perturbation approaches to investigate target dependency and pathway biology. • Mechanistic biology : Use molecular and cellular approaches, including qPCR, Western blotting, cloning, immunoassays and, where relevant, flow cytometry and/or imaging, to investigate mechanisms of action and pathway responses. • Data interpretation : Analyse biological data, draw scientifically sound conclusions and generate findings that support target and compound decisions. • Collaboration and documentation : Plan experiments with project teams, present results clearly and maintain accurate records in the electronic laboratory notebook. What you bring • Education: A BSc or MSc in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, Biotechnology or related discipline. • Hands-on experience: Practical experience in general cell and molecular biology, including mammalian cell culture and cell-based assay execution. • Genetic and mechanistic biology: Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 or related genetic perturbation approaches. • Scientific approach: A structured approach to experimental work, data-analysis and problem-solving skills and the ability to translate results into clear conclusions. • Teamwork and communication: The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate scientific findings clearly in English. •

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