Associate Principal Scientist - (Analytical Science)

Associate Principal Scientist - (Analytical Science) 

Macclesfield

We are thrilled to offer an outstanding opportunity as an Associate Principal Scientist in Analytical Science at AstraZeneca, where you will be at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions in analytical science. This role will also involve championing new approaches and setting a high standard for analytical methodology, analytical science and laboratory practices within our organization. 

About AstraZeneca 

AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company driven by innovation. We are dedicated to the discovery, development, and delivery of life-saving medicines to patients, while also prioritizing sustainability and minimizing our environmental impact. Our workplace fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, where diverse perspectives are encouraged, and creativity is valued, respected, and rewarded. 

The Department - Chemical Development 

In Chemical Development, we blend technical expertise with a passion for designing, developing, and optimizing routes and processes for the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of our medicines. We are seeking individuals who are committed to pushing scientific boundaries and delivering groundbreaking medicines to our patients. Our focus is on continual improvement and innovation, collaborating with academia and industry to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and principles into the analytical methods and control strategies we develop. 

The Role - Associate Principal Scientist (Analytical Science Specialist) 

As a highly experienced analytical scientist with a strong track record of impacting pharmaceutical development projects, you will play a pivotal role in driving Technical Excellence among our scientists. Your responsibilities will include developing new analytical methods and processes within the laboratory environment and providing coaching and hands-on training in traditional and emerging analytical techniques to develop our scientists to impart reliability and robustness into our analytical methods. You will lead by example, personally developing projects and processes, and play a critical role in developing junior members of the department. The Role holder will use their experience of leading projects or key elements of projects, to impart the knowledge and understanding of how our development work impacts the drug development cycle and clinical timelines.  You will lead by example by personally developing projects and processes from within the laboratory environment. Additionally, you will champion new approaches, techniques, and systems, collaborating with colleagues across the organization to identify and evaluate new ways of working and embedding these across the entire organization.  

Key Responsibilities Include: 

• Leading the development of innovative analyses, sustaining expertise in practical analytical science, and role modelling scientific methods within your technical team. 

• Providing expert challenge to drug projects and exemplifying positive behaviours in exploring new ways of working and scientific development. 

• Developing and maintaining comprehensive, structured training packages for current and emerging development activities. 

• Providing scientific/technical leadership across skill groups, resolving risks, and identifying learning to share across the department. 

• Demonstrating scientific leadership and strategic development of drug projects, representing Chemical Development on CMC Project and Global Supply Teams. 

• Coaching and developing colleagues, supporting them in reaching their full potential as analytical scientists. 

• Identifying and solving potential issues and acting as a conduit between functions and departments. 

• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to maintain and improve experimental capability. 

• Contributing to improving the capability of Chemical Development and securing the skills base needed to support current and future project portfolios. 

• Ensuring the analytical skills of our analytical scientists are backed up by a strong knowledge and appreciation of the fundamentals of scale-up development and manufacture. 

Essential Skills and Experience:

• BSc, MSc, MChem, or PhD in a relevant analytical science discipline with significant experience in delivering robust, reliable analytical methods and processes within a Research & Development environment in the pharmaceutical industry (or equivalent experience)

• Experience in proposing and developing experimental strategies, troubleshooting laboratory-based problems, and making a positive contribution to the delivery across the entire Chemical Development Route and Process Design value streams. 

• An established track record of enhancing business reputation through scientific publications, patents, external talks, and presentations. 

• Able to identify, embrace, apply, and further develop new ways of working, technologies, concepts, or systems to efficiently deliver processes from within the laboratory environment. 

• Experience in technical guidance and supervision, with strong coaching and mentoring skills. 

• A thorough understanding of the principles and management of SHE and cGMP. 

• Detailed understanding of Analytical Science and the ability to deliver solutions to complex aspects of drug substance manufacture. ​

• Ability to think and operate across functional boundaries, challenge the status quo, and seek opportunities for novel work practices. 

• Ability to analyze and interpret complex situations and provide clear direction using the Scientific Method, modern analytical methods, and experimental approaches. 

• Proven problem solver with in-depth technical skills

• Experience of supporting clinical and commercial manufacture and working with contract manufacturing organizations. 

• Experience across late-phase development (Phase 2b/Phase 3/commercial) with a background in the analytical science skill group. 

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Please note that applications must include your current CV and a covering letter presenting your key areas of strength and why you should be considered for the role. 

What’s next?

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. 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 not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply Today!