Environmental Risk Assessment Scientist

Are you keen to apply scientific skills to real-world environmental challenges? This Environmental Risk Assessment Scientist role sits at the heart of how AstraZeneca develops and supplies medicines while managing environmental impact. Joining the Global SHE and Sustainability function on an initial 6‑month fixed‑term contract, the role supports the development and delivery of Environmental Risk Assessments (ERAs) and the generation of environmental toxicity and fate data. It offers an excellent entry point for an early-career scientist to gain hands‑on experience in regulatory science, environmental data interpretation, and cross‑functional collaboration, all while contributing to our Sustainability strategy and the safe delivery of medicines to patients.

Working alongside experienced environmental risk assessors and study managers, the post holder will gain exposure to real regulatory deliverables, outsourced study management, and sustainability initiatives, with full training and mentoring provided.

Accountabilities

With training and support, the Environmental Risk Assessment Scientist will help prepare and maintain Environmental Risk Assessments, compiling regulatory ERA summaries and justification documents that underpin safe use of our products. The role will support monitoring of outsourced environmental studies, tracking progress and deliverables, as well as reviewing study protocols and draft reports to build understanding of regulatory science delivery through Contract Research Organisation (CRO) partnerships. It will involve preparing and managing technical documents that interpret environmental risk data, contributing to emissions compliance and transparency programmes, and engaging with partners across the business on environmental sustainability initiatives. The post holder will help maintain procedures, guidance, and ways‑of‑working documentation, and may aid in the development of data handling and artificial intelligence tools to maximise productivity.

Essential Skills/Experience

• A BSc, MSc or PhD in a relevant scientific field, such as ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry, environmental risk assessment, related environmental/life sciences field
• Strong interest in environmental risk assessment, sustainability, or pharmaceuticals in the environment.
• Ability to review and interpret scientific data and literature, with good attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a team, managing multiple tasks to agreed timescales.
• Curiosity, willingness to learn, and motivation to develop a career in an industrial scientific setting.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Academic or practical experience in Environmental fate (e.g. biodegradation, adsorption, persistence), Aquatic or terrestrial ecotoxicology, or Environmental exposure assessment.
• Aware of regulatory science or environmental risk assessment frameworks (academic knowledge is sufficient).
• Familiarity with GLP principles (desirable but not required).
• Experience handling, analysing, or summarising scientific datasets.
• Experience with AI tools and handling of large data.

Working at AstraZeneca

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 flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Benefits

There are so many fantastic employee benefits that AstraZeneca can offer you: a competitive salary, private healthcare, a generous holiday allowance, phenomenal training and development opportunities, and much more. 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.