Postdoctoral Fellow – Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and Extracellular Sweden - Gothenburg

R-215175: Postdoctoral Fellow – Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and Extracellular vesicle (EV) - mediated RNA delivery to the lung 
Location: Gothenburg
Competitive Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package

Do you have expertise in nanotechnology and bioscience, and passion for advancing RNA therapeutics for lung diseases? Would you like to apply your knowledge to impact drug discovery projects in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life-changing medicines? Then join the Advanced Drug Delivery department at AstraZeneca and unlock the power of what science can do!

About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. 

About our Postdoc Programme

Bring your expertise, apply your knowledge, follow the science, and make a difference. AstraZeneca’s Postdoc Programme is for self-motivated individuals looking to deliver exciting projects in an encouraging, engaging, and innovative environment. You'll work with multidisciplinary scientific teams from a diverse set of backgrounds and a world-class academic mentor specifically aligned to your project. Our postdocs are respected as specialists, encouraged to speak up, and supported to share their research at conferences, publish papers, achieve their goals.

Make a more meaningful impact in your career, with greater ownership and accountability to make a contribution whilst making a difference to the lives of our patients!

This is a 3-year programme, with an initial 2-year period and a 1-year merit-based extension.

About the Opportunity
In this exciting Postdoctoral Fellow position, you’ll develop novel lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and extracellular vesicle (EV) formulations to target lung cells for the delivery of therapeutic RNAs.

This project is supported by the Advanced Drug Delivery (ADD) department within Pharmaceutical Sciences which collaborates across all of AstraZeneca’s therapy areas from early-stage drug discovery to late-stage clinical development. At ADD we deliver cutting-edge technology to enable the effective molecules of the future.  We aim to improve target efficacy and delivery of small molecules and new modalities, through improved cellular targeting and uptake, and enhanced drug delivery. You will join a dynamic bioscience team including other Postdocs focused on improving the nanoparticle delivery of nucleotide drugs.

Project Focus
This project will conduct pioneering research in RNA therapeutics for lung diseases by developing hybrid extracellular vesicle (HEV) formulations for targeted delivery of therapeutic RNAs. Our Postdoc will collaborate with experienced AZ interdisciplinary scientists with diverse set backgrounds, and an exceptional academic mentor specifically aligned to the project, to lead cutting-edge research to engineer nature-bioinspired HEVs, combining lipid nanoparticles and natural exosomes, to achieve effective RNA delivery with enhanced safety for treating epithelial diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and COPD.

Supported by Elisa Lázaro Ibáñez, Associate Principal Scientist at AstraZeneca, you'll also receive academic mentorship and guidance from Cecilia Lässer, PhD, Associate Professor at the Krefting Research Centre at the University of Gothenburg.

What You’ll Do
Our Postdoctoral Fellow will engage in critical activities, including generating HEVs loaded with therapeutic RNA molecules, applying nebulization processes for aerosol generation and RNA delivery, and analyzing biodistribution in lung tissue at the cell-type level. You will work closely with leaders in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Discovery Sciences, Early Product Development & Manufacturing, Animal Science & Technology, and Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics within AstraZeneca. Additionally, the academic mentor from the University of Gothenburg will provide expertise in EVs and respiratory diseases.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead and drive the project under the supervision of cross-functional AstraZeneca team and in collaboration with the academic expert. 

• Lead the development of LNPs/EVs loaded with therapeutic RNA molecules, focusing on optimizing their lung targeting properties, efficient RNA loading, and nebulization processes.

• Develop an understanding of the in vivo biodistribution in lung tissue at the cell-type level and safety of inhaled nanoparticles, including functional delivery of RNA and safety analysis.

• Plan, write, and publish high-impact scientific papers and present findings at internal AZ meetings and prominent conferences.

Essential Requirements

• PhD degree in Life Science with specialization in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanotechnology, or Bioengineering

• Excellent knowledge and/or prior experience in lung delivery and RNA therapeutics.

• Experience with nanoparticle delivery systems such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) or extracellular vesicles (EVs).

• Extensive experience in in vitro cell culture, as well as cellular-based assays and analysis techniques (eg., Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, PCR, ELISA, Western blotting).

• Proven capacity to work independently and proactively drive research projects forward.

Our Postdoc programme is aimed at individuals who are either:

• Within 5-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)

Desirable Requirements

• Previous experience with small animal models relevant to lung biology and RNA delivery.

• Understanding of nucleotide-based therapeutics.

• Excellent written and oral communication and problem-solving skills

• Strong planning, organizational and time management skills

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary, research environment.

Reasons to Apply
This opportunity offers a unique chance to work in an industry-leading group with a strong publication track record, supported by a leading academic supervisor. The development of hybrid extracellular vesicle formulations represents a pioneering approach to overcome challenges in delivering large RNA drugs to the lungs for treating epithelial diseases. By leading this project, you will contribute to the development of safer and more effective RNA delivery systems, potentially impacting the treatment of a broad range of respiratory diseases. Working alongside experienced interdisciplinary scientists both in industry and academia, this position offers a wealth of learning opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact in the field of RNA therapeutics for lung diseases.

Why AstraZeneca
The unique positioning of this postdoc within a pharmaceutical company such as AZ, means that you will be able to access large datasets which are not available in the public domain. Moreover, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that methods and techniques you develop will not only be published but will also be used within AZ after the postdoc position concludes, in real-life projects - and that ultimately the work you do will directly impact patients’ lives!

On-Site Working
The position is located at our research site in Gothenburg, Sweden.
As a key member of a research group and taking a leading role on a Postdoctoral project, we expect regular attendance - a minimum of 3 days per week on the AstraZeneca campus. For laboratory-based scientists, this may be higher. 

Given the unique positioning of our Postdoctoral researchers, you may have an additional opportunity to spend some time with an external academic mentor. In this instance, you may be required to spend some of your time working alongside them at their facility as driven by the research project.

Your flexibility to meet the needs of the research and the scope of the project is required and we also look to support you with flexibility in accordance with our standard work policies.

Next Steps
If your passion is science and you want to be part of a team that makes a bigger impact on patients’ lives, then there’s no better place to be. 

This advert will be running from January 2nd, 2025 and, we welcome your application as soon as possible, but ahead of the scheduled closing date of January 31st, 2025. In the event, that we identify suitable candidates ahead of the scheduled closing date, we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier than published. 

Find Out More

AZ's Postdoc Programme

Life at AstraZeneca

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Relocate to Gothenburg

Date Posted

02-Jan-2025

Closing Date

31-Jan-2025

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.