12 Month University Industrial Placement Student: Process Engineering

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Flexible benefits

Job summary

AstraZeneca is offering a 12-month University Industrial Placement in Process Engineering at its Macclesfield site. The role involves working within Global Product Development on process development, technology application and safe scale-up, with exposure to a range of unit operations and continuous manufacturing initiatives.

The successful candidate will contribute to drug product formulation development and manufacturing process optimisation, supported by a strong engineering team.

Qualifications

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree in Chemical or Process Engineering.
• Degree subject in Chemical or Process Engineering.
• Strong planning and organisation skills.
• Ability to see opportunities, learn and apply learning to drive innovation with good collaboration and teamwork.
• Confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Competent in coding/modelling tools such as Python, MATLAB, Aspen, gProms, Ansys CFD.

Responsibilities

• Work in Global Product Development, in a Process Engineering group, supporting new technologies and process development.
• Assist with safe manufacturing scale-up and right-first-time campaigns.
• Involve laboratory work and simulation of unit operations (feeding, blending, filling, tablet compression) focused on continuous manufacturing capability.

Skills

Strong planning and organisation

Collaboration and teamwork

Stakeholder communication

Coding & modelling tools

Education

Chemical or Process Engineering degree

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Aspen

gProms

Ansys CFD

Job description

12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Process Engineering

Macclesfield, UK

£28,000 Base Salary, Bonus & Flexible Benefit

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 are 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 will 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.

Macclesfield

The Macclesfield Campus is an essential part of AstraZeneca’s UK Operation and the 2nd largest operational site within the company’s global network. It is approx. 100 acres with around 4500 people working on site. The site is unique in the AstraZeneca network having Operations, R&D, G&A, IT and others on its site.

About the Opportunity:

The successful role holder will work in Global Product Development, working in a Process Engineering groups and alongside multidisciplinary teams, responsible for the application of new technologies, process development and safe manufacturing scale up, leading to right first-time campaigns.

Global Product Development is responsible for the formulation design, manufacturing process development, and optimisation of drug products. This includes a variety of dosage forms such as tablets and capsules as well injectable and inhalation-based products.

The one-year industrial student placement will offer a mixture of drug development project work and/or a new technology project with support from an experienced engineer. In Global Product Development, experiences will involve laboratory work and simulation of unit operations such as feeding, blending, filling and tablet compression, primarily centred on the ongoing development of our continuous manufacturing capability.

Qualification, Skills & Experience

Required:

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree with the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2027.
• Degree subject within a Chemical, or Process Engineering discipline.
• Strong planning and organisation skills.
• Ability to see opportunities, learn, and apply that learning to drive innovation with good collaboration and teamworking skills.
• Confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Competent in the use of coding and modelling packages such as Python, MATLAB, Aspen, gProms, Ansys CFD.

Applications Open: 4th September 2026

Applications Close: 2nd October 2026

Assessment Day: 6th November 2026

Start Date: 7th 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.

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 is. 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.

Date Posted

04-Sept-2026

Closing Date

02-Oct-2026

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.