Cell Biologist

Astex Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company has successfully applied its proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery platform to generate multiple new drug candidates that are progressing in clinical development. Successful collaborations have led to three launched oncology drugs (Kisqali® partnered with Novartis, Balversa® partnered with Janssen and Truqap™ partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology.

The Role

An exciting opportunity is now available for a cell biologist in the Bioscience group at Astex, contributing to drug discovery and translational research. Working in multi-disciplinary teams with structural biologists, biophysicists, chemists, bioinformaticians and assay biologists, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply their understanding of cell and disease biology to progressing drug discovery programs at Astex.

With extensive experience of cell biology techniques in a variety of cell systems, the successful candidate will drive key experimental work.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Apply a wide range of cell biology techniques in making hands-on contributions to drug discovery programs
• Design and execute in vitro and/or ex vivo cellular experiments to understand complex disease mechanisms and pharmacology
• Compound evaluation in different cell systems
• Influence bioscience activities within multi-disciplinary project teams

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• A PhD in relevant biological science
• Strong experience in mammalian tissue culture
• Knowledge of a variety of cell biology techniques (e.g., proliferation assays, immunoblotting, ELISA/MSD, transfection/transduction, flow cytometry, high content imaging)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to think independently and creatively

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Background in neuroscience or oncology
• Experience in applying cell biology techniques in an industry setting
• Skilled in working with iPSCs and/or primary cells
• Skilled in a variety of molecular biology techniques and custom cell line development
• Experience in working with external collaborators and CROs
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary, matrix teams
• Basic knowledge of bioinformatics and experience in working alongside bioinformaticians

Why Astex

We offer excellent training and career development opportunities as well as highly competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment.

At Astex we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse Company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry-leading scientific innovation and behaviours.

Astex is situated 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre on the Cambridge Science Park. The Park has onsite sports facilities and excellent transport links to London.

More Information

For information on Astex Pharmaceuticals please visit: www.astx.com

For information on Otsuka Pharmaceuticals please visit: www.otsuka.co.jp

How to Apply

All applicants should apply by email to recruitment.uk@astx.com, attaching their CV and covering letter as PDF documents. The subject line of the email should clearly state the reference code (CEBI/0926).

Please note that Astex holds a UK sponsor license; if you require sponsorship, please state this in your application email.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 25 September 2026. Please note that Astex reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received, so early application is encouraged.