Laboratory Scientist - Biochemistry & Assay Development Location: Pivot Park Oss | Amsterdam UMC campus Fulltime – 100% Lab-based Acerta Pharma, part of the AstraZeneca group, is dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapies for haematological malignancies. We are strengthening our research activities in the Netherlands and preparing to relocate to Amsterdam in early 2027 to establish the AZ Netherlands R&D hub. Until that time, you will be working from our facilities in Oss. After the move, you will be based at our new site in Amsterdam. The ability to commute to both locations or openness to relocating is expected. In this role, you will design, develop, and execute biochemical assays that underpin our drug discovery programmes, with a particular focus on building and running biochemical screening cascades. You will work closely with project teams and fellow scientists to generate high-quality data, maintain rigorous assay performance, and translate biochemical insights into actionable results for our medicinal chemistry and biology partners.

De Rol

In this role, you will be fully embedded in our modern laboratory, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. Working both independently and alongside colleagues, you will carry out a variety of biochemical studies and play a central role in our assay development and screening activities, including:

• Developing, optimising, and running biochemical assays – including enzymatic, binding, and activity-based assays – to support drug discovery programs.
• Executing experiments independently and troubleshooting assay performance, applying sound biochemical reasoning to resolve issues promptly.
• Building and managing biochemical screening cascades from primary through orthogonal and counter-screens to support compound progression decisions.
• Applying key biochemical concepts (enzyme kinetics, protein-ligand interactions, dose-response analysis, selectivity profiling) to design rigorous, fit-for-purpose assays.
• Analysing experimental data, interpreting results in a biochemical context, and communicating findings clearly to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborating across disciplines – including medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and cell biology – to translate scientific questions into robust experimental approaches.
• Ensuring compliance with internal policies, quality expectations, and laboratory safety standards.

Vereisten

• Master’s degree or equivalent relevant scientific experience.
• Strong hands-on experience developing and running biochemical assays (enzymatic, binding, or protein-based) in a drug discovery setting in industry.
• Demonstrable experience planning, running, and troubleshooting experiments independently, with the ability to adapt quickly when results deviate from expectations.
• Solid understanding of core biochemical concepts such as enzyme kinetics, including Michaelis-Menten kinetics and steady state analysis, protein-ligand binding, selectivity, and assay interference mechanisms.
• Practical experience with data quality assessment, statistical analysis of assay results, and application of appropriate experimental controls.
• Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to share findings effectively with colleagues and multidisciplinary project teams.
• A collaborative, mature attitude and a strong commitment to working safely and responsibly in the lab.
• You are fluent in English.

Wat bieden wij?

• A dynamic, innovative, international working environment, where you can be part of the development of new medicines that can make a difference to patients' lives.
• The opportunity to work in a highly professional, diverse, close-knit team, where you can learn a lot from each other and count on one another.
• The opportunity to further develop yourself, for example, into a position offering even more responsibility.
• Competitive salary and secondary benefits including 8% holiday allowance, 27 holidays on a fulltime basis. Additional: office closure between X-mas and New Year + Good Friday.
• Collective pension with a fixed percentage personal contribution.
• Bonus scheme.
• Vitality of our colleagues is important to us, which is why you can exercise at a discount or make use of our bicycle plan.
• Support for potential extra travelling costs during the transition period when working at the Oss site.

Apply today by clicking on the apply button at the bottom of this page. Questions? Our Recruitment Team is available at info@werkenbijastrazeneca.nl or +31 (0)85 - 047 0244. We don’t work with a fixed closing date; we will commence our screening process immediately - the vacancy will close as soon as we’ve found the right candidate.