Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI systems design to revolutionise drug development and scientific discovery.
- Company: Innovative pharmaceutical company at the forefront of AI in science.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug development using cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: PhD in natural sciences and experience in drug design or development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
We are now seeking a Principal AI Scientist to join our team in Cambridge or Macclesfield, UK. This role will be at the heart of driving agentic AI and cross-departmental digital transformation within Pharmaceutical Sciences. We are looking for a candidate who is experienced in deploying graph-based deep learning and/or agentic AI systems in chemistry, drug delivery and formulation science and is skilled at harnessing and connecting scientific knowledge from complex data. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success embedding AI solutions within scientific teams, working collaboratively across departments, and navigating a landscape rich in existing and evolving digital platforms.
You will leverage your expertise to develop and lead our efforts in implementing agentic AI solutions into predict-first driven drug development workflows, bridge experimental and data science, and work with automation specialists to implement self-learning lab concepts. You will help shape our approach to leveraging AI models, designing orchestration and prompt engineering strategies, and collaborate to ensure we are at the forefront of fundamental AI developments.
Responsibilities- Lead the design and implementation of agentic AI systems to facilitate scientific discovery and drive productivity.
- Deliver agentic AI and generative AI based solutions for drug development tasks.
- Embed within and collaborate across scientific, digitisation, and IT teams to ensure that AI-driven solutions are both impactful and well-integrated into current workflows.
- Represent the group internally and externally, sharing insights on how best to deploy agentic AI to unlock data-driven value within R&D.
- Foster a scientific culture that connects lab innovation with advanced computational methods leading to a predict-first mindset in early drug development.
- Collaborate internally and externally to pursue the development of foundation models for Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC).
- PhD in natural sciences.
- Several years of industrial experience in the field of drug design, pharmaceutical chemistry, or drug development.
- Expert knowledge in using generative AI applied to drug design and development (e.g. Graph ML and representation learning; agentic AI and orchestration; scientific data integration).
- Domain knowledge in computational chemistry, chemical informatics, and/or laboratory and data workflows preferred.
- Excellent communication skills, written and spoken; self-motivated team player.
- Experience in project leadership.
- Demonstrated system-level design and platform thinking.
- Demonstrated external reputation (e.g. via internationally recognised publication track record).
Experienced Principal AI Scientist in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences in Newtown employer: AstraZeneca UK Limited
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca UK Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Experienced Principal AI Scientist in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences in Newtown
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend conferences, webinars, or local meetups related to AI in pharmaceuticals. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships; you never know who might help you land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with agentic AI and graph-based deep learning. Share specific examples of how you've successfully embedded AI solutions in past roles. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so do your homework! Understand their current projects and challenges in drug development. When you apply through our website, tailor your application to show how your skills can directly address their needs. We love seeing candidates who take the time to personalise their approach.
✨Follow Up
After an interview or networking event, don’t forget to follow up with a thank-you email. It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and remind them of your qualifications. We believe a little persistence goes a long way in making a lasting impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Experienced Principal AI Scientist in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences in Newtown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in AI and chemistry. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about AI in pharmaceutical sciences and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working across departments, make sure to highlight any collaborative projects you've been part of. We value teamwork, so share examples of how you’ve successfully worked with others to achieve common goals.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca UK Limited
✨Know Your AI Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest advancements in agentic AI and graph-based deep learning. Brush up on how these technologies apply specifically to drug development and formulation science, as this will show your potential employer that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Collaborative Skills
Since the role involves working across various departments, prepare examples of past collaborations. Think about times when you successfully integrated AI solutions with scientific teams or navigated complex data landscapes. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Be ready to explain your experience with generative AI and how you've applied it in real-world scenarios. Practising your responses to potential technical questions can help you articulate your expertise clearly.
✨Communicate Your Vision
Articulate how you envision leveraging AI models to enhance drug development workflows. Share your thoughts on bridging experimental and data science, and how you would foster a culture of innovation within the team. This shows that you’re not just a doer but also a thinker who can contribute to the company’s strategic direction.
