Location: Macclesfield, UK
Salary: Competitive Salary and Benefits!
Introduction to role:
Are you ready to turn deep mechanistic insight into scalable, sustainable processes that speed life-changing medicines to patients? In this role, you will combine Physical Organic Chemistry with digital modelling and automation to transform lab discoveries into robust manufacturing routes that deliver quality, reproducibility and efficiency.
In Chemical Development we believe that nothing is impossible, and we are determined to push the boundaries of science to deliver medicines to our patients. We combine people’s technical knowledge and understanding with their talent and drive to design, develop and optimise synthetic routes and processes that deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients of our medicines in a sustainable, commercially viable way. We believe in innovation and continuous improvement, working closely with colleagues in academia and across industry, to ensure that we apply the cutting-edge technologies and principles in the processes we develop.
About the role:
We have an exciting opportunity at Senior Scientist level to join our chemistry process, modelling and automation team as a Mechanistic Chemist.
As a mechanistic-focused process chemist working closely with analytical chemists, engineers, scientists and the data science organisation, you will use Physical Organic Chemistry (POC) principles to contribute to drug-substance chemistry within pharmaceutical technology and Development (PT&D). Supporting projects to ensure progression through development and launch. You may lead activities, coaching other scientists.
Join us because you believe in doing all of this with transparency – doing the right thing in all our operations and interactions.
Key Responsibilities:
Design and optimisation of chemical processes suitable for scale-up, with a focus on mechanistic process understanding and prediction using in silico modelling. Working without direct supervision and with the ability to train less experienced scientist to initiate, direct, and perform experimental work and implement strategies.
Collaborating with AZ scientists or external partners to contribute to the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes for new medicines, with consideration of the requirements of speed, quality, cost, sustainability, reproducibility and efficiency.
Fully competent in own research area in order to identify and implement best experimental practice for generating high-quality data, in an experimentally efficient way, including in collaboration with other technical specialists.
Essential requirements
Strong understanding of digital solutions, with confidence in using them, developing them with experts, and a digital-first mindset.
Desirable requirements
Expertise in one or more of the following areas: kinetics, DoE, process modelling, lab automation, PAT, continuous processing or reaction monitoring.
Proven record of innovation through, for instance, authorship of papers, inventor status on patents, or presenting at external conferences.
Skills and capabilities
Ability to challenge, innovate, think critically and flexibly, bringing new solutions and opportunities for chemical development.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate across interfaces of scientific disciplines, culture, and expertise both internally and externally.
Why AstraZeneca:
Join our expert team at AstraZeneca to pioneer a new future to meet global healthcare challenges. Here you will shape how science becomes supply at global scale—unexpected teams in the same room sparking bold thinking, modern labs and digital platforms accelerating decisions, and a shared commitment to advancing medicines with a lighter environmental footprint. You will work on constant new developments, from modelling and automation to PAT and continuous processing, with clear line-of-sight to patients and the chance to influence end-to-end ways of working. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing high standards with the support, learning and trust needed to take smart risks and make meaningful progress.
If you are ready to turn mechanism into medicine and build scalable, sustainable processes that leave a lasting impact, take the next step today and show us how you will elevate our science and delivery!
Where can I find out more?
Our Social Media,
Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
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Date Posted
09-Jul-2026
Closing Date
29-Jul-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.
