Macclesfield, UK

At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines! Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality.

We push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines

AstraZeneca is a global, science-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative, significant medicines and healthcare solutions that enrich the lives of patients.

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a function within the AstraZeneca’s Biopharmaceuticals R&D unit that works across all aspects of CMC development to ensure implementation of intelligent design of medicines and delivery systems to the early portfolio. The function has four departments: Early Chemical Development, Advanced Drug Delivery, Early Product Development and Manufacturing, and Data Science and Modelling.

Early Chemical Development (ECD) is a World-Class CMC department with responsibility for early phase Drug Substance Manufacturing. The department’s responsibilities span from early engagement with Discovery Chemistry groups up to manufacturing of Phase II Clinical material, and its 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.

In Early Chemical Development, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Scientist – Biocatalysis to support the investigation and implementation of enzymatic steps within the Route Design activities

You will be a key member of the biocatalysis team with the task to identify and validate opportunities throughout the early project portfolio by performing screening of enzymes towards desired biocatalytic reactions and implement reactions at scale to enable manufacturing. Additionally, you will work to implement automation, robotics, and medium throughput analytics to streamline and improve the way we evaluate enzyme libraries and reduce screening times whilst increasing likelihood of success.

You will bring a strong understanding of applied biocatalysis to the design and development of robust enzymatic manufacturing steps. This role will work cross-functionally with internal and external partners, to ensure that process design considerations for the commercial manufacturing are coordinated early on.

The role is based at the Macclesfield Campus, Cheshire, it is primarily laboratory based and will involve working flexibly across laboratories and our Large-Scale Laboratory for GMP manufacture of drug substance. This will also involve advising our development teams and our Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs).

ECD is committed to personal development and as such ensures that every individual has opportunities to grow within the business towards more senior roles.

Typical Accountabilities

The role will be primarily lab based and the candidate will have the following accountabilities:

• Contributes to the success of AZ’s biocatalysis team
• Delivers enzymatic steps for drug substance manufacturing according to project timelines
• Tech transfer to external CMOs and CROs for biocatalytic step investigation and implementation and delivery of manufacturing campaigns
• Grows relationships with internal and external partners towards technological and scientific developments. Ensures state of the art technology is applied, delivering new ways of working to improve project delivery and driving innovation.
• Assesses, reviews and reports data from own work and work of junior colleagues, with a clear understanding of its reliability and interprets findings and draws authoritative conclusions and recommendations so that their significance can be appreciated
• Presents information for discussion at project teams and across other functions
• May be encouraged to influence colleagues in other areas/functions and/or in external groups
• Provides training/mentorship to junior scientists on technical and functional processes
• Works as a member of cross-functional teams, with a large degree of independence representing own department or area of expertise
• Ensures own work is performed in accordance with appropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), quality and compliance standards, e.g. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Advanced degree or equivalent and proven experience within the subject area (biocatalysis, biochemical engineering, chemistry or related subject area)
• Understanding of the principles and concepts in pharmaceutical science
• Experience in discovery and the early development phases of the drug development process
• Good understanding of the R&D operating model and the contribution Pharmaceutical Development makes to development and launch of new medicines

Desirable

• Specialist and functional area expertise, specifically in the following skills:
  • Biocatalysis
  • Synthetic organic chemistry
  • Analytical chemistry and assay development: proficient with MS, ELSD, NMR and other analytical techniques needed to evaluate enzyme performance
• Understanding of patent and IP issues

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining us? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you!

We welcome your application no later than 17 June 2022. Applications must include your current CV, and a cover letter which presents your motivation and suitability for the role.

Additional information

Our Company Values & Behaviors underpin everything we do so please take a moment to familiarize yourself with them. You may also want to check out our new R&D Video showing how we turn Science into Medicines.

More information about our sites:

• Cambridge, UK
• Gothenburg, Sweden
• Gaithersburg, US

Covid-19 Resources

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.