Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Chemistry in Water and Sustainable Technologies in Macclesfield

We are currently looking to recruit a Post-Doctoral Researcher in Early Chemical Development (ECD) to work on the development of sustainable technologies for the manufacture of our medicines. This is a fixed term 24 month contract as part of a major UK grant working towards the sustainable manufacture of pharmaceuticals. You will join our team in ECD, Pharmaceutical Sciences (PS) on our Macclesfield Campus, UK.

As a dedicated BioPharmaceutical Research & Development organisation, we accelerate promising early-stage assets and lifecycle management programmes. From discovery to late-stage development, we always follow the science. Pharmaceutical Sciences is a function within the AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D unit that creates innovative, efficient solutions by transforming molecules into investigative medicines meeting unmet needs of future patients. The function has four departments: Early Chemical Development, Advanced Drug Delivery, Early Product Development and Manufacturing, and Predictive Science, Digitalisation and Automation.

Our wide-ranging portfolio of projects includes traditional small molecules, nucleotide-based therapies and nano medicines across AstraZeneca’s therapy areas. Early Chemical Development (ECD) is a world class CMC department with responsibility for early phase process development and scale up of new chemical entities (NCEs). The department’s responsibilities span from early engagement with Discovery (Medicinal) Chemistry groups through to manufacture of Phase II Clinical material, and our key skill areas include Analytical Chemistry, Crystallisation, Isotope Chemistry, Large-Scale Laboratory (Kilo-Lab) Manufacturing, Process Chemistry, Process Design, Process Engineering, Route Design and Separation Science.

What you’ll do: At AstraZeneca we have set an ambitious carbon-reduction target, aiming to become carbon negative for all residual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 (Ambition Zero Carbon 2030). We are looking for a hardworking, creative and experienced organic chemist to join the team. The successful candidate will work in two discrete research areas, both of central importance for improving the sustainability of the production of medicines.

• Investigate the use of CiW to manufacture API;
• Understanding speciation and recovery of platinum group metals from waste streams.
• Develop ways of working and best practice for applying CiW at scale and in a GMP environment.
• Take sub-projects from CiW mg scale lab hits to processes that isolate multitone quantities of key intermediates, considering the effects on the environmental footprint through lifecycle assessment, potential regulatory impact and key practical factors to consider when scaling up reactions in water.
• Contribute to development and implementation of a strategy to deliver chemistry-in-water processes within Early Chemical Development.
• Work as a member of cross-functional teams, with a large degree of independence representing your own department or area of expertise.
• Enhance AZ’s scientific reputation by publishing high calibre research, engaging with our external partners and building professional networks.

Essential criteria:

• Minimum requirement of Bachelor’s degree with a science or engineering background and will hold a PhD/DPhil, ideally but not essentially with a chemistry-in-water focus or have equivalent experience.
• Experience of developing and optimising organic reactions and reaction work ups.
• A passion for chemistry and for applying new technologies.
• Practical lab skills, including analytical techniques to support impurity and solvent tracking.
• Ability to use literature databases e.g. SciFinder, Reaxys.
• Experience of leading your own work.

Desirable criteria:

• Awareness of wider application of chemistry-in-water in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Good collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication skills across interfaces of subject area, culture, and expertise both internally and externally.
• Ability to develop and analyse multiple solutions to problems.
• Ability to use coding and AI tools to enhance delivery of your role.
• Lab-based pharmaceutical industry and/or process development experience, using a broad range of practical techniques.
• Strong self-development focus, with an interest in learning about new scientific areas.

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.