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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to operate Pilot Plant facilities and support manufacturing processes.
- Company: AstraZeneca is a leading pharmaceutical company dedicated to creating life-changing medicines.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative environment, flexible work patterns, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives while working with cutting-edge science and technology.
- Qualifications: BSc/MSc/BEng in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing preferred.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusivity, welcoming all qualified candidates to apply.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Pilot Plant Chemist — Macclesfield (UK)
Would you like to apply your expertise to impact Manufacturing in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life-changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you! At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide.
Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big, and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.
Macclesfield is one of over 400 sites here at AstraZeneca, providing a fantastic environment where everyone feels comfortable and able to be themselves. It’s important to us that you bring your full self to work every day.
Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D) are the bridge that turns forward-thinking science into actual medicines that help millions of people. We work across the entire value chain, designing and delivering active ingredients, formulations, and devices required to support new medicines – from supplies for use in early toxicology studies and clinical trials to developing the technology to ensure drugs can be scaled up for commercial manufacture.
Drug Substance Manufacture (DSM) is responsible for the internal manufacture of Drug Substance for formulation development, pre-clinical, and clinical development studies. Our 5 Pilot Plant facilities and continuous flow facility are used to generate key scale-up learning and technology understanding for API development. We also support the rapid development of commercial processes by flexible accommodation processes and experimentation at scale. DSM is a part of the Chemical Development function within Pharmaceutical & Technology Development, Operations.
Accountabilities
- Operate Pilot Plant, Continuous flow facility and support technical issues that arise
- Execute batch sheet instructions and record their completion to GMP standards
- Work effectively as a member of the team to ensure that good communication is maintained across the various teams and shifts
- Provide technical support in project accommodation activities
- Support problem-solving activities to resolve equipment/product quality issues
- Perform analytical chemistry (HPLC/UPLC, GC, Karl Fisher, and NMR) within a GMP environment
Essential Skills/Experience
- BSc/ MSc/ BEng level education in a relevant discipline (Chemistry, Chemical Engineering)
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience (especially API manufacture)
- Skills in key analytical techniques relevant to in-process drug substance analysis
- Problem-solving experience and skills
- Technical and/or engineering capabilities
- GMP and regulatory knowledge/awareness
Desirable Skills/Experience
- Project and business process management experience
- Experience in process qualification and validation
- Experience working with continuous flow chemistry
Make a meaningful impact on people\’s lives with life-changing medicines. Join the team where everyone feels a personal connection to the people that we impact. From our science labs to manufacturing at scale, we are committed to delivering at the highest quality. It\\\’s inspiring and rewarding work, influencing every part of the product lifecycle to deliver life-changing medicines. To ultimately make people\\\’s lives better from patients and their families to all of us in society.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now!
Date Posted 31-Jan-2026
Closing Date 05-Feb-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.
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Pilot Plant Chemist employer: AstraZeneca
Contact Detail:
AstraZeneca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pilot Plant Chemist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with AstraZeneca's core values and mission. Understanding their commitment to patient care and innovation will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your personal values resonate with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of AstraZeneca, especially those in the Pharmaceutical Technology and Development sector. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and relevant analytical techniques like HPLC and GC. Being able to discuss these topics confidently during interviews will demonstrate your technical expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare examples of past problem-solving experiences, particularly in a manufacturing or laboratory setting. Highlighting specific instances where you successfully resolved issues will showcase your ability to contribute effectively to the Pilot Plant team.
We think you need these skills to ace Pilot Plant Chemist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Pilot Plant Chemist position at AstraZeneca. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in API manufacture. Emphasise your educational background in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and any specific analytical techniques you are proficient in.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your skills align with AstraZeneca's mission of delivering life-changing medicines and provide examples of your problem-solving abilities in a manufacturing context.
Highlight Teamwork and Communication Skills: Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be sure to include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in a team environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at AstraZeneca
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Pilot Plant Chemist. Familiarise yourself with the specific processes and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as GMP standards and analytical techniques like HPLC and GC.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you've successfully resolved technical issues or improved processes. AstraZeneca values candidates who can think critically and act swiftly in challenging situations.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work effectively within a team. Discuss any previous experiences where you collaborated with cross-functional teams, as this role requires close cooperation with various operational teams and project managers.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Science
Express your enthusiasm for the pharmaceutical industry and how your background aligns with AstraZeneca's mission to improve patient lives. Show that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in contributing to life-changing medicines.
