12 Month University Industrial Placement Student: Computational Chemistry

Biopharma Careers; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK, offers a 12-month University Industrial Placement in Computational Chemistry within the Oncology Medicinal Chemistry team. Start date is September 2027 and the role focuses on drug-design campaigns and cutting-edge computational methods.

During the placement you will gain hands-on experience in structure- and ligand-based design, machine learning for de novo molecules, and cheminformatics workflows, within an international and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate chemistry degree with a year in industry starting September 2027.
• Strong planning and organisation skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and apply new knowledge to drive innovation.
• Good collaboration and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Carry out structure- and ligand-based drug design tasks.
• Use machine learning and generative AI for de novo molecule design.
• Develop and run cheminformatics workflows.
• Analyse data from literature and high-throughput screens.
• Run physics-based modelling such as docking and MD simulations.

Skills

Planning skills

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Chemistry knowledge

Education

Undergraduate chemistry degree

Tools

Maestro

MOE

Job description

12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Computational Chemistry

Cambridge UK

£28,000 Base Salary, Bonus & Flexible Benefits

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society.

About the University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS) Programme

Join a Truly Inclusive and Supportive International Team.

As an AstraZeneca placement student, there is a huge network of support available to you. You’ll have a dedicated supervisor, a supportive early talent peer network, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups you can join.

We help and empower each other, and our supervisors are committed to providing you with all the guidance and support you need to build your skills, confidence and capabilities.

Whatever your background and experience, you'll be welcomed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions and share knowledge. You will be a valued part of an international team of truly supportive, collaborative and inclusive individuals

About the Opportunity

At AstraZeneca every one of our employees makes a difference to patient lives every day. We work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the upmost integrity even in the most difficult situations because we are committed to doing the right thing.

We are looking to recruit for a 12-Month Industrial Placement in Computational Chemistry in Cambridge, UK to start September 2027.

You will join as a member of the Computational Chemistry team within the Oncology Medicinal Chemistry Department and will be involved in a range of computational chemistry research activities relevant to drug discovery. The purpose of these activities is to support our medicinal chemistry design efforts to discover and optimise new drugs in the Oncology therapeutic area.

Cambridge is one of the most exciting bioscience hotspots in the world. The Discovery centre (DISC), located at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is designed to play a central role in our mission to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. As our largest research and development centre in the UK, it will have more than 2,000 people working across therapy areas and drug discovery and development once fully occupied. It is uniquely designed to strengthen collaboration, promote openness, and improve the sustainability of every aspect of our science and our business operations.

Examples of tasks the individual might conduct during the placement are

• Carrying out structure- and ligand-based drug design
• Employing machine learning and generative AI algorithms for de novo molecule design
• Implementing cheminformatics workflows
• Analysis of data from literature and high-throughput screens
• Running physics-based modelling including docking, free energy perturbation and molecular dynamics simulations

The placement will aim to provide candidates an opportunity to gain knowledge of/ experience in

• Structure and Ligand-based drug design
• Usage of modern commercial software packages such as Maestro and MOE
• Develop knowledge of machine learning and AI methods applied to drug design
• Develop a knowledge of programming and cheminformatics workflows
• Introduction to core computational and medicinal chemistry concepts
• Working within a team

Qualification, Skills & Experience

Required:

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate chemistry degree with the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2027.
• Strong planning and organisation skills
• Ability to see opportunities, learn, and apply that learning to drive innovation
• Good collaboration and teamworking skills

Applications Open: 4th September 2026

Applications Close:2nd October 2026

Assessment Day: 11th November 2026

Start Date: 6th September 2027

This position is a 12-month fixed term contract.

AstraZeneca is proud to be ranked as a Top 100 ‘Best Student Employer’ in the UK by RateMyPlacement. Browse our reviews here ( link )

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.

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.