At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and optimise chemical processes for new medicines using innovative modelling techniques.
- Company: Join AstraZeneca, a leader in healthcare innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, great benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on digital solutions and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health by turning mechanisms into medicines.
- Qualifications: PhD or MSc in chemistry with practical experience and a passion for reaction mechanisms.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
This job is with AstraZeneca, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
Location: Macclesfield, UK
Salary: Competitive Salary and Benefits!
About the role:
We have an exciting opportunity at Senior Scientist level to join our chemistry process, modelling and automation team as a Mechanistic Chemist. As a mechanistic-focused process chemist working closely with analytical chemists, engineers, scientists and the data science organisation, you will use Physical Organic Chemistry (POC) principles to contribute to drug-substance chemistry within pharmaceutical technology and Development (PT&D). Supporting projects to ensure progression through development and launch. You may lead activities, coaching other scientists. Join us because you believe in doing all of this with transparency - doing the right thing in all our operations and interactions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and optimisation of chemical processes suitable for scale-up, with a focus on mechanistic process understanding and prediction using in silico modelling.
- Collaborating with AZ scientists or external partners to contribute to the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes for new medicines, with consideration of the requirements of speed, quality, cost, sustainability, reproducibility and efficiency.
- Fully competent in own research area in order to identify and implement best experimental practice for generating high-quality data, in an experimentally efficient way, including in collaboration with other technical specialists.
- Hold a scientific supervisory role when needed, but without line‑management responsibility.
- Drive new ways of working, in collaboration with technology experts, to focus on data driven experimentation which will act as a cornerstone to enable AZ's modelling and simulation aspirations.
- Identification and effective communication of process risks arising from scale, equipment or process changes.
- Supporting problem solving when issues arise during development or manufacturing.
- Collaborating with digital experts to develop digital solutions for modelling and automation to deliver our bold strategy.
- Drive the adoption of digital solutions across the process chemistry community.
- Deriving and applying models based on experiments and the published literature to support control strategies for impurities across AZ's portfolio.
Essential requirements:
- PhD in physical organic chemistry/organic chemistry with a mechanistic focus or MSc in chemistry with equivalent industrial experience.
- Experience in practical organic chemistry.
- Interest and enthusiasm for understanding reaction mechanisms and how chemical processes work on a fundamental level.
- A good understanding of synthetic methodologies, reaction mechanisms and modern analytical techniques.
- Strong understanding of digital solutions, with confidence in using them, developing them with experts, and a digital-first mindset.
Desirable requirements:
- Lab-based pharmaceutical industry and/or process development experience, using a broad range of practical techniques.
- Experience in using a wide variety of off-line analytical techniques and be able to identify and implement more specialist (in-line) approaches when required by liaising with analytical experts.
- Expertise in one or more of the following areas: kinetics, DoE, process modelling, lab automation, PAT, continuous processing or reaction monitoring.
- Python coding skills.
- Proven record of innovation through, for instance, authorship of papers, inventor status on patents, or presenting at external conferences.
- The ability to develop and analyse multiple solutions to problems.
- Experience mentoring and driving performance and development of your peers.
- AI literacy, including the use of AI tools and machine learning models.
Skills and capabilities:
- Ability to challenge, innovate, think critically and flexibly, bringing new solutions and opportunities for chemical development.
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex chemistry problems and provide solutions with a high attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate across interfaces of scientific disciplines, culture, and expertise both internally and externally.
- The ability to confidently participate in, and potentially lead, improvement projects.
Why AstraZeneca:
Join our expert team at AstraZeneca to pioneer a new future to meet global healthcare challenges. Here you will shape how science becomes supply at global scale - unexpected teams in the same room sparking bold thinking, modern labs and digital platforms accelerating decisions, and a shared commitment to advancing medicines with a lighter environmental footprint. You will work on constant new developments, from modelling and automation to PAT and continuous processing, with clear line-of-sight to patients and the chance to influence end-to-end ways of working. We value kindness alongside ambition, pairing high standards with the support, learning and trust needed to take smart risks and make meaningful progress. If you are ready to turn mechanism into medicine and build scalable, sustainable processes that leave a lasting impact, take the next step today and show us how you will elevate our science and delivery!
Salary: Negotiable
Mechanistic Chemist - Process Chemistry employer: AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Cambridge. Employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the pharmaceutical industry through cutting-edge research and AI integration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanistic Chemist - Process Chemistry
✨Get Involved in the Chemistry Community
Engage with local chemistry societies and attend their events. Whether it's a conference or a seminar, these gatherings can be gold mines for networking and spotting job openings at companies like AstraZeneca. Plus, being face-to-face with industry professionals can leave a lasting impression!
✨Utilise Online Platforms for Chemistry Jobs
Don’t just rely on mainstream job boards. Sites like Chemistry World and Chemjobs are specifically geared for our field. Set up alerts for new openings at places like AstraZeneca to be the first to apply!
✨Showcase Your Research & Projects
Create a professional online portfolio that highlights your chemistry projects or research. This could be a blog or a simple website that showcases your skills and experience. When you apply to AstraZeneca, you want them to see what you can do beyond the CV.
✨Connect With Recruiters Specialised in Chemistry
Reach out to recruitment agencies that focus on the chemistry sector. They often have inside tracks on job openings at companies like AstraZeneca and can provide valuable advice tailored to full-time roles in our industry. Don't be shy to ask for insights!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanistic Chemist - Process Chemistry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:When applying for a chemistry position, make sure to highlight any lab experience you've got. Mention specific techniques and instruments you've worked with, as they can set you apart from other candidates. For us, demonstrating your practical skills is as important as your theoretical knowledge!
Tailor Your CV to Chemistry:It's essential to structure your CV in a way that’s appealing for a chemistry role. Highlight relevant projects, research publications, and coursework that demonstrate your expertise. If you’ve completed specific certifications, make sure to list those as well—they can really boost your chances!
Craft a Chemistry-Focused Cover Letter:In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and why you want to work at AstraZeneca. Talk about any research or projects that inspire you, and express your willingness to contribute to the team. We love seeing genuine passion for chemistry in applications!
Include Relevant References:Since chemistry roles can be quite specific, having reference letters from professors or previous employers in the field can be a huge plus. Make sure to include contacts who can vouch for your skills and dedication, as it adds credibility to your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Know Your Experiments
Get ready to chat about your hands-on experience in the lab. We should be prepared to discuss specific experiments we've conducted, the results, and any challenges we faced. This shows them we don't just know the theory but can apply it in practice!
✨Master the Technical Speak
Brush up on the relevant terminology and concepts in chemistry. Make sure we can discuss different chemical processes, analytical techniques, and safety protocols fluently, as they might throw some technical questions our way. Being precise and confident can really set us apart!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make a portfolio showcasing our best lab work and any research projects we've been involved in. It's a great way to demonstrate our skills and passion for chemistry. We should tailor it to highlight the aspects most relevant to AstraZeneca and the Mechanistic Chemist - Process Chemistry role.
✨Be Ready for Problem Solving
Expect some scenario-based questions where we might need to solve chemical problems on the spot. They could ask about unexpected results or how to improve a process. Let's practice thinking on our feet and explaining our thought process clearly!
