Job Description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Associate Principal Scientistto drive Biologics AI innovationat AstraZeneca’s US R&D centers in Waltham, MAor Gaithersburg, MD This is a pivotal scientific leadership role focused on integrating state-of-the-art artificial intelligencewith wet-lab discoveryto accelerate biologics engineering and enable the design of next-generation biotherapeutics. You will work collaboratively across computational and experimental functions, help shape the direction of AI-enabled research, and champion the generation, curation, and translation of high-quality data to power biologics discovery.

Key Responsibilities

As an Associate Principal Scientist, your main responsibilities will be:

• LeadAI strategies for biologics discovery and engineering, with a strong emphasis on AI–wet-lab integrationand rapid translation of computational insights into experimental design.

• Drivethe development and application of advanced machine learning models, including protein language models, structure prediction approaches, de novo protein design methods, and multi-modal modelsthat integrate sequence, structure, and biological activity data.

• Serve as a scientific leader and bridgeacross AI scientists, computational biologists, protein engineers, and wet-lab teams in the US, while partnering closely with global collaborators.

• Guidethe generation, curation, and effective use of high-quality wet-lab data, and provide feedback to experimental teams to improve data suitability for machine learning workflows.

• Shape technical directionby evaluating and implementing emerging methods and best practices in machine learning, data science, computational biology, and protein engineering

• Contribute to an end-to-end ML lifecycle, including problem definition, data preprocessing, data infrastructure, model development, validation, deployment, and iterative improvement in partnership with scientific stakeholders.

• Mentorjunior scientists and contribute scientific leadership within Biologics AI, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture.

• Communicatescientific progress, technical strategy, and key challenges to stakeholders across disciplines and seniority levels, supporting strategic decision-making.

• Contribute to scientific publications, patents, and external scientific visibility, and represent AstraZeneca through internal and external collaborations, presentations, and partnerships.

Required Qualifications

• PhDin computer science, machine learning, bioinformatics, computational biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related quantitative discipline, with typically 5+ years of relevant experiencein academia and/or industry; alternatively, a Master’s degreewith 8+ years of relevant experience

• Proven experience applying AI/ML to biological or molecular design problems, with strong relevance to proteins, antibodies, biologics, or related therapeutic modalities

• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in developing and deploying deep learningand other machine learning models for one or more of the following: protein sequence modeling, structure-informed modeling, generative modeling, molecular/property prediction, de novo design, or biologics optimization

• Experience working across the full machine learning lifecycle, including data preprocessing, dataset design, model architecture development, model training, evaluation, deployment, and productionization

• Demonstrated success in integrating computational modeling with experimental workflows, including close collaboration with wet-lab scientists and the use of experimental feedback to refine models and data strategy.

• Strong programming skills in Python, along with experience in modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar platforms

• Experience with cloud-based ML environments, scalable data workflows, and/or production ML systems in an academic or industry setting.

• Strong scientific communication and collaboration skills, with a record of influencing cross-functional teams and contributing in matrixed, multidisciplinary environments.

• Track record of scientific innovation and delivery, evidenced by a combination of publications, patents, impactful model development, or successful translation of AI methods into experimental or business outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in antibody, nanobody, or protein engineering, including de novo designor optimization for developability and functional performance.

• Experience with generative models, graph neural networks, Bayesian optimization, active learning, or other advanced approaches relevant to biologics discovery.

• Familiarity with multi-modal learningapproaches that combine sequence, structure, assay, and other biological data types.

• Experience in scientific software deploymentor productionalizing ML modelsto support discovery workflows at scale.

• Experience establishing or improving data generation strategiesin partnership with experimental teams to enhance downstream ML performance.

• Prior experience mentoring scientists or leading projects in industrial or academic R&Denvironments.

• Strong external scientific profile, including peer-reviewed publications, patents, invited talks, or conference presentations

Why Join Us?

As part of AstraZeneca’s dynamic US biologics R&D community, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of AI-driven biologics discovery and engineering. Collaborating across cutting-edge computational and experimental teams, you’ll drive innovation that brings transformative medicines to patients around the world. You will be supported by a collaborative, inclusive, and empowering environment, with unparalleled opportunities for scientific impact and personal growth.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $144,648.80 - $216,973.20. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

07-May-2026

Closing Date

13-May-2026

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.