AstraZeneca
Mechanistic Chemist – Process Chemistry
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Location: Macclesfield, UK
Salary: Competitive Salary and Benefits!
Introduction to role
Are you ready to turn deep mechanistic insight into scalable, sustainable processes that speed life-changing medicines to patients? In this role, you will combine Physical Organic Chemistry with digital modelling and automation to transform lab discoveries into robust manufacturing routes that deliver quality, reproducibility, and efficiency.
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 technical knowledge and understanding with their talent and drive to design, develop, and optimise synthetic routes and processes that deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients 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, to ensure that we apply the cutting-edge technologies and principles in the processes we develop.
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.
- Working without direct supervision and with the ability to train less experienced scientists to initiate, direct, and perform experimental work and implement strategies.
- 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.
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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!
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Date Posted: 09-Jul-2026
Closing Date: 29-Jul-2026
Our mission
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.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company. We focus on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we are more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work.
Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention, and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. To embrace differences and take bold actions to drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges. There is no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society.
An inclusive culture where you will connect different thinking to generate new and valuable opportunities. Where you will find a commitment to lifelong learning, growth, and development for all.
Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission
Our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) mission is to create an inclusive and equitable environment where people belong, using the power of our diversity to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Inclusion and diversity are fundamental to the success of our company, because innovation requires breakthrough ideas that only come from a diverse workforce empowered to challenge conventional thinking.
We’re curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We’re driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions. As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people.
Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you’ll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you’ll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day. This is your life at AstraZeneca.
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