Freelance Biotech Data Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Scientist - Antibody Discovery & Data Science

Introduction to role

Are you ready to turn complex, multimodal discovery data into decisions that speed novel antibodies to patients? In this role, you will combine deep scientific understanding with advanced analytics to shape how we discover and optimize biologics-advancing the right candidates faster with smarter experiments and clearer insight. You will join a multidisciplinary discovery platform in Gaithersburg, partnering closely with discovery scientists, automation engineers and computational biologists. Together, you will transform in vivo and in vitro screening outputs, NGS, structural and developability data into integrated, analysis-ready insights that guide engineering and screening strategies.

Accountabilities

• Discovery Campaign Leadership: Run campaigns across in vivo and in vitro/display platforms to generate broad, sequence-diverse hit sets and drive progression of high-quality leads.
• Data Pipelines and Integration: Build robust, reproducible pipelines for data automation; integrate sequence, assay, structural, developability, predictive and NGS data into coherent, analysis-ready datasets that accelerate decisions.
• Modeling for Impact: Develop statistical analyses that guide antibody engineering, screening, and candidate prioritization with measurable gains in speed and quality.
• Experiment Design Partnership: Define data needs with experimental teams, improve experimental design, and translate results into clear next steps that reduce cycle times and de-risk choices.
• Tools, Dashboards and Visualization: Create intuitive tools and visual analytics that turn complexity into clear hypotheses and empower bench scientists to leverage outputs independently.
• Active Learning Loops: Design iterative cycles that link computational predictions to high-throughput experimental validation, continuously improving model performance and candidate quality.
• Communication and Standards: Present findings, codify best practices, and influence platform strategy to scale successful approaches across programs.

Required Education & Experience

Ph.D. in Biology, Biotechnology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering or related field with 0+ years' experience; M.S. with 5+ years' experience; B.S. with 10+ years' experience

Required Skills

• Background in antibody discovery, protein engineering, biologics engineering, or developability
• Experience applying data science, statistical modeling, or machine learning to biological or biomedical problems
• Strong programming skills in Python, statistics and experience with scientific computing and ML tools.
• Experience working with complex, multi-source datasets including NGS, and building reproducible analysis workflows
• Ability to work directly with experimental scientists to solve real R&D challenges
• Demonstrated experience with biological, biomedical, or experimental R&D data.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Excellent communication and data presentation skills.

Desirable Skills

• Critical thinking to formulate hypotheses and design analyses to test them
• Proactive drive to identify key questions and help teams find the answers
• Curiosity to dive into data generated across diverse discovery teams
• Ability to influence experimental strategy, not only analyze results
• Willingness to mentor others and shape team standards

Why AstraZeneca

Here you will push boundaries with talented colleagues who blend scientific rigor with modern data and digital approaches-unexpected teams in the same room unleashing bold thinking to reimagine how medicines are discovered. Our Gaithersburg R&D hub provides state-of-the-art labs and thoughtfully designed, activity-based workspaces that speed collaboration and experimentation, giving you the trust and space to challenge convention while keeping patients at the center of every decision. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing the scale and data of a global leader with the agility to learn fast, build smarter, and see your ideas translate into therapies that matter.

If you are ready to fuse biologics discovery with data science to create faster, smarter paths to life-changing antibodies, step forward and shape what comes next in Gaithersburg.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $116,284 to $174,426. 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

Closing Date

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.