Associate Principal Scientist, Process Engineering – Global Product Development in Macclesfield

AstraZeneca is a global, science‑led, patient‑focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development! We are seeking an Associate Principal Scientist in Process Engineering with experience in parenteral product development (small molecule and new modalities, e.g. peptides) and oral solid dosage forms (tablets, capsules), who will contribute deep technical understanding and hands‑on delivery across late‑stage development, ensuring our medicines are manufacturable, scalable, and commercially ready.

As an Associate Principal Scientist, you will play a key role within both the process engineering and wider pharmaceutics community, applying your expertise in parenteral drug product development, oral solid dosage (including Continuous Direct Compression), and advanced engineering principles to progress our portfolio. You will be a recognised problem solver for complex process engineering challenges, ensuring manufacturing processes are understood, controlled, and capable of meeting long‑term commercial and patient needs.

• Deliver engineering expertise for the design and development of robust manufacturing processes across parenteral and oral solid dosage forms.
• Shape the scientific and technical direction of development activities through strong process understanding.
• Define and optimise critical process parameters (CPPs) and integrate them into control strategies.
• Lead or contribute to technology transfer, risk assessment, process validation and scale‑up.
• Apply modelling, simulation, digital twins and predictive tools to enhance process understanding.
• Solve key technical challenges with direct impact on current project delivery.
• Provide scientific leadership and coaching to junior engineers and scientists.
• Drive a culture of creativity, innovation and scientific excellence.

• PhD or equivalent industrial experience.
• Deliver engineering expertise for the design and development of robust manufacturing processes across parenteral and oral solid dosage forms.
• Shape the scientific and technical direction of development activities through strong process understanding.
• Define and optimise critical process parameters (CPPs) and integrate them into control strategies.
• Lead or contribute to technology transfer, risk assessment, process validation and scale up.
• Apply modelling, simulation, digital twins and predictive tools to enhance process understanding.
• Solve key technical challenges with direct impact on current project delivery.
• Provide scientific leadership and coaching to junior engineers and scientists.
• Drive a culture of creativity, innovation and scientific excellence.

• Experience with a range of unit operations e.g. aseptic processing, continuous manufacturing, granulation, compression, coating.
• Experience with regulatory authoring and defence.
• Experience with CMOs/CROs and outsourced development.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life‑changing medicines. In‑person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer! The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, a performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

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.