Scientist - Biotech jobs in Arlington, MA

Sr. Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry, TTD, Early Oncology

Location: Waltham, MA, US

Do you want to be at the cutting edge of innovation that will lead to state-of-the-art therapies for cancer? At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines. Our pioneering oncology pipeline enabled by transformative technologies drives us forward. Working here means being ambitious, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality for the patients.  

This Opportunity

The newly hired Sr. Scientist will contribute to and influence small molecule ligand discovery within the tumor targeted delivery (TTD) chemistry group. This role is part of an important strategy to deliver highly specific therapeutics including, small molecule, peptide and antibody drug/prodrug/degrader conjugates with various targeting modalities to treat cancer. The job posting is for our group at Boston/Waltham location.

Core Accountabilities:

• Design and execute synthetic strategies to access complex target molecules (a strong organic synthesis background is essential)

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and creativity to overcome challenging synthetic chemistry problems

• Learn and implement medicinal chemistry strategies that enable discovery of novel, differentiated small molecule candidates for tumor targeted delivery programs

• Analyze structural, pharmacological, physicochemical and ADMET data to derive SAR

• Employ structure and property-based design principles to generate innovative new target designs

• Work independently and as a team player who collaborates closely with colleagues from diverse drug discovery functions, including computational chemistry and high throughput experimentation

• Regularly attend, present and participate in group meetings

• Contribute to the writing of patent applications, program reports and peer reviewed publications

• Work safely in accordance with safety, health & environment (SHE) best practices

Essential Requirements:

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) or equivalent focused in synthetic organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry with 0-3 years of experience in academia, biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry setting ((OR M.Sc. degree focused in synthetic organic chemistry with 5 years of industry experience), with a strong track record of scientific innovation and success documented through peer-reviewed publications

• Subject matter expert in organic synthesis and methodology, with general knowledge of the mechanisms of chemical reactivity and awareness of latest scientific literature.   

• Strong work ethic and adherence to safe practices in the laboratory.

Site Location

The Waltham R&D site is home to our small-molecule oncology research in North America. It is situated within a biopharma cluster of academic research institutions, medical centers, pharmaceutical companies and biotech start-ups. The Boston region is consistently ranked #1 globally for biotech research, investment, talent recruitment and lab space.

The campus, also known as the Boston BioHub, is one of the largest and most dynamic life-science research hubs in the region. It is home to more than 800 scientists and experts working in nine different pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The site is also home to the AstraZeneca Incubator, a program that helps emerging companies advance novel and innovative healthcare solutions to meet the needs of patients. Plenty of free covered/uncovered parking is available along with charging stations for electric vehicles. Additionally, shuttle service to local transportation hubs is also available.

As AstraZeneca continues to put patients at the forefront of our mission, we are excited for our move to Kendall Square/Cambridge in 2026.  Find out more information here:    

Kendall Square Press Release

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. A place where employees are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash their entrepreneurial spirit. There is no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development.

So, what is next?

A place built on courage, curiosity, and collaboration – we make bold decisions driven by patient outcomes. Empowered to lead at every level, free to ask questions and take calculated risks that write the next chapter for our pipeline. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and passionate about the possibilities, then we are keen to hear from you!

“When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.”

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.

AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.