Senior Scientist – Early Product Development and Manufacturing in Macclesfield

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 pharma company. At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a department within AstraZeneca R&D unit. The vision for Pharmaceutical Sciences is to deliver the therapies of the future through scientific leadership in drug delivery, design of synthetic routes and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and drug product. Our portfolio of projects includes traditional small molecules, nucleotide‑based therapies and nanomedicines across AstraZeneca’s therapy areas.

An opportunity exists in Pharmaceutical Sciences for an exceptional individual in the area of solid‑state chemistry, working across drug substance and drug product disciplines. We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly capable Senior Scientist to join our Early Product Development and Manufacturing (EPDM) team in the UK. You will work closely with analytical, formulation and biopharmaceutics scientists in EPDM as well as scientists in other functions to drive science and innovation within drug projects, including global collaboration with scientists at our Macclesfield, Cambridge, Boston & Gothenburg sites.

The successful applicant will become a core member of the global Solid‑state skill area which is responsible for ensuring suitable physical form and formulation screening, selection and control within drug substance and product. The team supports the full discovery and early development stages up to Phase II clinical trials. The successful candidate will be a self‑starting, exceptional team player, committed to delivering high quality science to projects.

• Responsible for ensuring suitable physical form and early formulation screening, physical characterisation, form and formulation selection and control within drug substance and product.
• Represent solid state skill area in projects.
• Work closely with formulation, analytical, and biopharmaceutics scientists in EPDM as well as scientists in other functions to drive science and innovation.
• Deliver robust physical forms which meet the needs of the patient.
• Plan and conduct lab‑based experimental work in accordance with project timelines.
• Keep abreast with the scientific literature and proactively apply existing and novel approaches to projects.
• Drive and lead science personally and within the department, manage external collaborations and publish novel work in peer‑reviewed journals.

This role is a lab based role and requires full time office presence with some flexibility.

• You will have a Chemistry or Pharmacy PhD or be a graduate with relevant experience in the area of solid‑state chemistry, formulation, physical chemistry or related disciplines.
• You will have experience in the screening and characterisation of solids (e.g. X‑ray diffraction, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, microscopic techniques, moisture sorption etc.), a good awareness of analytical methodology and an enthusiasm for laboratory‑based work.
• You will have experience of or a keen interest in small scale, high‑throughput automation for screening of solid forms/formulations.
• Creativity and innovation, built on sound technical knowledge and problem‑solving skills are required in order to deliver robust physical forms which meet the needs of the patient.
• Assess, review and report data from own work, with a clear understanding of its reliability and interpret findings and draw authoritative conclusions and recommendations so that their significance can be appreciated.
• Present information for discussion in multi‑disciplinary project teams.
• Excellent communication, team working, networking and leadership skills.
• Work as a member of cross‑functional teams, with a large degree of independence representing own department or area of expertise.

• Experience/knowledge or a keen interest in the field of modelling, simulation or prediction would be advantageous.
• Ability to drive and lead science personally and within the department and manage external collaborations.
• Knowledge or a keen interest in the area of automation would be advantageous.
• Computational skills e.g. python programming will be advantageous, especially in the areas of automated image analysis.
• Understanding of the principles and concepts of crystallisation.
• Experience in amorphous materials and their characterisation will be advantageous as would experience in examination of crystal structures and use of relevant software tools e.g. tools such as Mercury, Materials Studio etc.
• In depth understanding of how the physicochemical and solid‑state properties of a drug, affect the manufacture, formulatability and in vitro and in vivo performance.
• Understanding of the use, application and interpretation of Solid State NMR.

We welcome your application no later than 20th February 2026.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re‑assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law.

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.