Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D)

PT&D is the bridge, which turns brilliant science into actual medicines that help millions of people. We work across the entire value chain, crafting 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 and ultimately continuing to ensure that these medicines can be manufactured for supply to patients.

Drug Substance On Market Technical

Within PT&D, in Chemical Development we believe that nothing is impossible, and we are determined to push the boundaries of science to deliver medicines to our patients. We combine people’s deep technical knowledge and understanding with their talent and drive to design, develop and optimise synthetic routes that deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of our medicines in a sustainable, commercially viable way. We believe in innovation and continuous improvement, working closely with colleagues in academia and across industry, we apply the newest technologies and principles in the processes we develop.

We now have an exciting opportunity for anAssociate Principal Scientist with a chemistry background to join our growing On Market Technical group within Chemical Development. The group is dedicated to the lifecycle management of commercial API at AstraZeneca. The drivers are to maintain continuity of supply, ensure license to operate and continue to deliver business value through optimisation of manufacturing processes and supply chain design. AstraZeneca currently manufactures a high percentage of API externally at Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs).

What you’ll do

As an experienced chemist you will provide technical leadership to project teams to ensure we maintain and optimise supply for our commercial products meeting cost and quality targets for our customers. This includes:

• Scientific leadership of identification and implementation of post approval change programmes to improve robustness, cycle time, cost and sustainability

• Leadership of scientific input to assessment of change, deviation assessment and process and manufacturing improvements

• Contribution to the CMC components of regulatory submissions (both new submissions and post approval variations) with preparation of successful query responses over the commercial lifecycle

• Technology Transfer of processes to and within CMOs

• Ensuring delivery of SHE and cGMP compliance, with all work carried out to external regulatory policies and standards

• Enhancing the reputation of the company in scientific circles by representing our company, through external presentations, publications, membership of working parties and through academic collaborations

• Coaching and mentoring less experienced colleagues

All these activities have an impact on the speed, quality and cost of the AZ commercial portfolio, the overall success of the Supply Chain as well as ensuring the commercial viability and environmental sustainability of the medicine. The role, therefore, has a significant impact on both financial and reputational aspects of the business.

Essential Requirements:

• A PhD or BSc/MSc in Organic Chemistry

• Substantial experience in practical organic synthesis

• Significant experience working within a Research & Development and/or Manufacturing environment, within the pharmaceutical industry

• An excellent understanding of synthetic reagents and methodologies, reaction mechanisms and modern analytical techniques

• A thorough understanding of scale up operations used in manufacture

• The ability to think innovatively to drive improvement, and address issues when contributing to project strategies

Desirable Requirements:

• The ability to develop and analyse multiple solutions to problems

• The confidence to coach and drive performance and development amongst your peers

Skills and capabilities

• Ability to challenge and innovate, bringing new solutions and opportunities for chemical development

• Proven problem solver with in depth technical skills

• Excellent communication skills, able 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

• Ability to coach and mentor other scientific staff

We are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.