Jobs / United States / Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals Lp
Associate Principal Scientist, Viral Vector Downstream Process Development
Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals Lp · 🇺🇸 US - Gaithersburg - MD
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship possible
One solid signal, not two — worth applying, and worth asking about sponsorship early.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 99 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 31 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals Lp paid sponsored hires in similar roles12 certified filings for “Assoc. Princ. Scientist, Vector Engineering & Cell Line Dev.” (Molecular and Cellular Biologists) in MD: $103k–$158k, median $136k. Most were filed at wage level IV (33%) — 4 lottery entries, ≈61% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
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Sponsor Radar — Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals Lp
The US Department of Labor certified 99 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 31 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals Lp →
About the role
AstraZeneca is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Principal Scientist in Viral Vector Downstream Process Development to support and expand our growing Cell Therapy and Gene Therapy portfolio. This role will play a critical leadership position in establishing robust, scalable, and phase‑appropriate lentiviral vector (LVV) downstream purification processes from early development through clinical and commercial readiness. The successful candidate will lead matrixed project teams, act as a technical authority for LVV downstream purification, and partner closely with cross‑functional stakeholders including Research, Upstream PD, Analytical Development, CMC, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and external CDMOs. Key Responsibilities Downstream Process Development & Strategy • Define, develop, and execute end‑to‑end LVV downstream purification strategies for ex vivo and in vivo applications with focus on yield, purity, potency, consistency, scalability, and cost. • Establish platform‑aligned, phase‑appropriate purification processes suitable for IND‑enabling, clinical, and commercial manufacturing. • Provide scientific leadership and technical oversight across clarification, chromatography, UF/DF (TFF), and sterile filtration operations. Matrix Leadership & Project Execution • Lead and influence cross‑functional, matrixed project teams, driving alignment on technical strategy, timelines, and decision‑making. • Coach and guide scientists and engineers for the execution of downstream development activities. • Ensure high‑quality experimental design, execution, data interpretation, and timely communication of results. Scale‑Down Models, Scale‑Up & Technology Transfer • Design and qualify representative scale‑down models to support process characterization and comparability. • Support scale‑up to pilot, clinical, and commercial‑relevant equipment and consumables. • Author, review, and approve technology transfer packages , and support successful implementation at internal GMP sites and external CDMOs. CMC & Regulatory Enablement • Contribute to and shape CMC downstream development strategies, including control strategy, in‑process monitoring, and operating ranges. • Author and review CMC‑relevant documentation (development reports, batch records, process descriptions). • Support preparation of regulatory submissions (e.g., IND). Process Characterization, QbD & Risk Management • Lead process characterization and platform studies, including DOE‑based investigations. • Apply QbD principles, risk assessments (e.g., FMEA), and scientific justification to define design space and control strategy. • Drive root cause investigations, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives. Innovation & Continuous Improvement • Identify and evaluate novel and next‑generation purification technologies (e.g., advanced chromatography, membranes, PAT/digital tools). • Champion platform evolution, efficiency gains, and robustness improvements aligned with long‑term modality strategy. Documentation, Compliance & Quality • Ensure development activities adhere to cGMP concepts, data integrity, and Quality Systems expectations. • Author and review protocols, reports, development summaries, and technical documents at a high standard of scientific and regulatory quality. • Interface closely with Quality to ensure inspection readiness and compliance. Minimum Qualifications Education • M.S. with 10+ years, or Ph.D. with 7+ years of hands‑on industry experience in downstream process development. Technical & Industry Experience • Extensive, hands‑on experience in LVV downstream process development (strongly preferred) or other viral vectors/biologics. • Deep expertise in clarification, chromatography, UF/DF (TFF), a