Postdoctoral Fellow – Mitotic Biology & Cancer Therapeutics The Discovery Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK Competitive salary and benefits Do you have a passion for cell cycle biology and mitosis? Do you want to support the delivery of the next generation of cancer therapies? If so, join AstraZeneca to pursue cutting-edge, mechanism-focused research in mitosis and cancer biology and translate your discoveries into impactful oncology strategies. You will join Oncology R&D’s DNA Damage Response (DDR) group, working together with subject matter specialists, technical experts, and discovery scientists to discover and characterise mitotic and cell-cycle mechanisms that influence therapeutic response in cancer. The team is based and the R&D Hub at Cambridge, one of the most modern and best research facilities in the UK. Here you will have access to state-of-the-art imaging and analytics platforms and will be supported by experts in imaging, cell engineering, and quantitative analysis; all working together to uncover molecular mechanisms that can underpin new treatment strategies to improve patients’ outcomes. This project is embedded in the Oncology Targeted Discovery (OTD) group within Oncology R&D. The mission of OTD at AstraZeneca is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death by following the science to discover, develop, and deliver life-changing, personalised medicines, including small molecules, Antibody-Drug Conjugates and radioconjugates. You will be embedded in the Bioscience group, which supports the research and development process from early drug discovery through preclinical translation to deliver better treatment options to patients. You will work in a collaborative team to understand how mitotic and cell-cycle biology influences therapeutic response in cancer, helping to inform future treatment strategies. You will deepen our understanding of how mitotic regulation influences therapeutic outcomes, applying quantitative cell biology and state-of-the-art imaging to deliver mechanistic insights that inform combination strategies and translational hypotheses, in a discovery-driven fellowship that empowers you to pursue the most promising signals across mitosis and the cell cycle. This project will be led by Dr Paul Wijnhoven, Associate Director at AstraZeneca; who will be your primary supervisor and mentor. Paul is an experienced DDR biologist and drug discovery leader who drives small‑molecule discovery, pre‑clinical development, and strategic science across teams. Given that this project will rely on imaging, you will be co‑supervised by Dr Guido Zagnoli Vieira, Associate Principal Scientist, a cell cycle and DDR expert with significant experience in microscopy and cell‑based assay development. The candidate will also receive academic mentorship and supervision from Prof. Rob de Bruin at the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology (LMCB), University College London (UCL), whose lab explores how the cell cycle is controlled and how these insights can enable better cancer therapies. In this position, you will build a strong appreciation of why mechanistic understanding is central to targeted therapies, and how these insights directly support both drug discovery and the development of a clear clinical strategy for ongoing project(s). You will take ownership of planning and executing in vitro studies, applying a range of molecular biology and genome-editing approaches. Working closely with colleagues across the in vitro biology team and broader organisation. As a postdoctoral candidate you will be expected to analyse, interpret, and communicate results to stakeholders within AZ. You will also have the chance to share your work with the academic community and will be encouraged to drive your project toward one or more high-quality publications. Key Duties & Responsibilities: Design and execution of in vitro experiments, including microscopy-based approaches, to address key biological questions. Apply core quantitative methods (for example flow cytometry and imaging) to characterise cell-cycle and cell-fate outcomes. Build and use relevant cell models (including genome-edited systems where appropriate) to test mechanistic hypotheses. Use established biochemical and cell-based assays to connect mechanism with cellular response and treatment outcomes. Analyse and interpret datasets, collaborate effectively across teams, and communicate results clearly through presentations and contributions to high-quality publications. Essential criteria: PhD in cell biology, cancer biology, molecular biology, preferentially in the mitotic cell biology field. Experience in molecular biology methods and in vitro genetic manipulation techniques. Result-oriented, employing the highest standards of scientific excellence and integrity in experimental design, execution, and data analysis. Ability to work independently (design, execution, and interpretation of experiments) with the desire to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Good communication skills, with fluent written and spoken English, and the ability to communicate scientific findings clearly. Desirable Requirements Background in DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation. Experience with CRISPR and creation of isogenic cell models. High-content or live-cell imaging and quantitative image analysis. Experience with in vitro combination studies or mechanism-of-action characterization Our Postdoc program is aimed at individuals with a strong publication record who are either: Within 4-years of obtaining their doctoral degree (PhD, DVM, or MD) - PhD already awarded, or Students, soon to obtain doctoral degrees (the PhD must be awarded within 6 months of joining AstraZeneca). This project offers the chance to tackle some of the most interesting open questions in mitotic and cell cycle biology in a setting where the work can directly inform future oncology treatment strategies. You will be embedded in a team with deep DDR and cell cycle expertise and supported through day-to-day science by experienced industry researchers, alongside academic input. The aim is to generate clear, mechanistic insights and then carry those insights far enough to test translational ideas, including rational combination hypotheses with a realistic route to impact. For an early-career scientist, this role provides strong hands-on development: access to advanced live-cell imaging and microscopy, established cell-cycle assays, and modern imaging/analytics workflows, with opportunities to broaden skills in gene editing, quantitative analysis, and translational thinking. You will have direct exposure to drug discovery and the preclinical-to-clinical translation of therapeutic approaches and will be supported to communicate your findings widely—building a strong publication track record and presenting your work to both internal scientific audiences and the wider academic community—while contributing to research that is ultimately aimed at improving outcomes for patients. AZ’s Postdoc Programme: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/postdocs-astrazeneca Life at AstraZeneca: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/life-at-astrazeneca This is what we’re made of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmFx_jr2eFo&t=2s Date Posted 17-Feb-2026 Closing Date 03-Mar-2026 Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.