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- Tasks: Develop and deploy lab automation to accelerate drug development in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a global leader in BioPharmaceuticals, making life-changing medicines.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Transform the future of medicine and improve millions of lives with your expertise.
- Qualifications: MSc or PhD in relevant discipline with hands-on automation experience.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment focused on innovation and efficiency.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do you have expertise in, and passion for developing and deploying lab automation to accelerate drug development in the pharmaceutical industry? Join AstraZeneca and use your expertise to implement transformative automated methodologies closely integrated with data-driven & AI approaches and help deliver life-changing medicines to patients worldwide. This isn’t just a role, it’s your opportunity to transform the future of medicine and improve millions of lives.
AstraZeneca is a global, science-driven BioPharmaceutical business and our innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Ultimately, our aim is to work towards a cure for some of the world’s most complex diseases. Whether that’s by shaping the patient ecosystem and focusing on outcomes, or by progressing potential medicines and accelerating their launch. Pharmaceutical Sciences at AstraZeneca delivers the therapies of the future through scientific leadership in drug delivery, design of synthetic routes, and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and drug products. In essence, we are working “from molecule to medicine” to develop medicines for our patients today and tomorrow.
The Predictive Science, Digital, and Automation (PSDA) department leads the digital transformation of Pharmaceutical Sciences to drive innovation, optimize drug development, and enable data- and predict-first driven decisions. We develop and apply computational chemistry, machine learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies - coupled with user centric informatics for seamless data capture, integration, insight, and prediction. This is coupled with strong leadership and expertise to advance lab and process automation all to accelerate projects.
We’re looking for a highly skilled and motivated Laboratory Automation Engineer to join our Automation Team within (PSDA) in Macclesfield, UK. You would work across Pharmaceutical Sciences and join a newly formed and highly collaborative team and help us develop solutions for automation to take substance and product development to a next level in terms of efficiency and innovation. We work within the early portfolio from pre-clinical to clinical phase.
To be successful in this role you will need expertise in implementation of automation, preferably in a life science setting. Good skills in written and verbal communication and the ability to engage and collaborate across boundaries with a positive problem-solving attitude and delivery focus. This is an expert role where you will work collaboratively with many colleagues, driving and championing the implementation of automated workflows. You will get the opportunity to apply your expert skills in a highly advanced research environment, contributing to the progression of drug development projects and drive the efficiency and science within the field of pharmaceutical science at AstraZeneca.
Please note, this role has a requirement to be onsite 4 days per week / 80% overall.
Required qualifications, skills and experience:
- University degree (MSc, PhD) in relevant discipline, preferable with industry experience
- Documented expertise in practical/hands-on implementation of automation (liquid handling robotics, sample preparation, chemistry automation etc.)
- Very good knowledge of solutions available for laboratory automation
- Knowledge and experience of end-to-end automated integrated workflows
- You should be ready to champion and drive automation
- Strong ambition to develop yourself and others
If you also have experience in one or more of the following areas – great!
- Experience of drug product development
- Skilled in programming of automation softwares
- Track record of driving scientific projects, publications
- Knowledge and experience of working according to GxP
At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big, and working together to make the impossible a reality. Ultimately, it’s more than a job. We know that our work impacts people with serious conditions, many of whom have no other alternatives. That’s what drives us – the potential to impact over one billion patients worldwide.
Location: Macclesfield UK
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits
If you are interested, apply now! We encourage you to send your application as soon as possible, since interviews will be held continuously, but no later than 15 February 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.
Laboratory Automation Engineer – Pharmaceutical Sciences in Macclesfield employer: AstraZeneca
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Laboratory Automation Engineer – Pharmaceutical Sciences in Macclesfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at AstraZeneca on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Laboratory Automation Engineer role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your automation knowledge and be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on. Show them how your skills align with their mission to transform drug development.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your application through our website. A quick message expressing your enthusiasm can keep you on their radar and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, think of examples where you’ve tackled challenges in lab automation. AstraZeneca loves candidates who can think on their feet and drive innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Laboratory Automation Engineer – Pharmaceutical Sciences in Macclesfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Laboratory Automation Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in lab automation and any specific projects you've worked on that align with AstraZeneca's mission.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell your story! Share your passion for drug development and how your skills can contribute to AstraZeneca's innovative approach. Be sure to mention any hands-on experience you have with automation.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since good communication is key, make sure your application reflects your ability to engage and collaborate. Use clear and concise language, and don’t shy away from showing your positive problem-solving attitude!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Know Your Automation Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of lab automation technologies, especially those relevant to liquid handling and sample preparation. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented these solutions, as this will show your hands-on expertise.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
AstraZeneca values teamwork, so prepare examples that highlight your ability to work collaboratively across different teams. Think of situations where you’ve successfully engaged with colleagues to drive automation projects forward.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since good communication skills are essential for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might want to explain complex automation concepts in simple terms, demonstrating your ability to engage with both technical and non-technical audiences.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. AstraZeneca is looking for a positive problem-solving attitude, so share specific examples that showcase your ability to think critically and find innovative solutions.
