Job Description

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.
• Location: Willingness to work onsite in Oss until the transition to Amsterdam in April 2027.

This role is intended for a hands-on Scientist with a BSc or MSc background. A PhD profile will not be a suitable match; the position focuses on practical laboratory work, assay execution and supporting discovery project teams.

Kindly mention your relevant experience in your cv.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry experience: Two or more years of experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research or an applied drug discovery environment.
• Cellular and mechanistic assays: Experience with pathway, reporter, target-engagement or other mechanism-of-action assays.
• Imaging: Experience with quantitative microscopy, live-cell imaging, image analysis or Incucyte.
• Disease-relevant models: Experience with haematological oncology or other cancer models, such as AML, CLL, multiple myeloma or lymphoma.
• Data analysis: Familiarity with GraphPad Prism or comparable tools for analysing and visualising biological data.

What we offer

• A dynamic, international research environment where your work can directly impact patients’ lives
• The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge oncology drug discovery at a growing AstraZeneca R&D hub
• A collaborative and highly skilled team culture where learning and knowledge-sharing are encouraged
• Excellent opportunities for professional growth and career development

Important information

You are:

• Currently living and working within the EU
• Preferably in possession of an EU passport due to onboarding and permit timelines
• Willing to work onsite in Oss until the move to Amsterdam UMC in April 2027

Please note: relocation support is unfortunately not available for this role.

What do we offer you?

• A dynamic, innovative, international working environment, where you can be part of the development of new medicines that can make a difference to patients' lives
• The opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and modern analytical techniques
• Competitive salary and secondary benefits including 8% holiday allowance, 27 holidays on a full-time basis. Additional: office closure between Christmas and New Year + Good Friday + day after Ascension Day.
• Collective pension with a fixed percentage personal contribution
• Bonus scheme
• Vitality of our colleagues is important to us, which is why you can exercise at a discount or make use of our bicycle plan.
• Support for potential extra travelling costs during the transition period when working at the Oss site.

About AstraZeneca Oncology R&D, Amsterdam 

At AstraZeneca Amsterdam, we bring together two research groups, in haemato-oncology and next-generation cell therapy research. Together, they form our Oncology R&D hub in the Netherlands, working closely with colleagues in the US, Canada, Spain and the UK, to develop innovative treatments for patients with cancer. 

Our hematology R&D group was born as Acerta Pharma, one of the Netherlands’ greatest biotech success stories. Its small-molecule BTK inhibitor has been approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). In Amsterdam approximately 100 colleagues continue the development of new therapies for haematological malignancies under the AstraZeneca brand name. 

 AstraZeneca’s Cell Therapy R&D team focuses on developing next-generation T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies targeting neoantigens in solid tumors. With a team of around 75 scientists, we work on both fully individualized and shared neo-antigen approaches, with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with cancer. 

Our oncology research and development hub is anchored by our new state-of-the-art laboratories in OneHelix and the adjacent Plus Ultra Amsterdam building, both located on the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC) campus. Our hub is firmly positioned at the heart of the Dutch research community network, creating new opportunities for our people, our science, and the patients we work to transform outcomes for.  

Apply: 

If you have any questions about this vacancy, our Recruitment Team Karin Raadschelders and Caroline van Oppen are happy to answer your questions. You can contact them via info@werkenbijacertapharma.nl or by phone on +31(0)85 - 047 0244. 

We don’t work with a fixed closing date: The vacancy will remain online until we have concluded the process.

Please apply immediately – we start up the selection process straight away.

Date Posted

07-Oct-2026

Closing Date

20-Oct-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.