12 Month University Industrial Placement Student: Process Engineering

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

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Macclesfield, UK, invites applications for a 12-month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS) in Process Engineering. The placement provides hands-on exposure to process development and safe manufacturing scale-up within Global Product Development, tackling right-first-time campaigns.

You will join a multidisciplinary team, perform lab work and unit-operation simulations, and use modelling tools to support continuous manufacturing initiatives while developing professional

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Chemical or Process Engineering degree for a 12-month placement.
• Eligible to start September 2027.
• Good planning, organisational and collaborative skills.
• Experience with coding/modelling tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Work in Global Product Development’s Process Engineering group.
• Assist with process development and scale-up of manufacturing.
• Support simulation and testing of unit operations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Planning

Organisation

Collaboration

Teamwork

Communication

Python

MATLAB

Aspen

gProms

Ansys CFD

Education

Chemical/Process Engineering degree

Integrated master's preferred

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Aspen

gProms

Ansys CFD

Job description

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

Macclesfield, UK

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.

£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.

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.

Required

Qualification, Skills & Experience

• 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.

Early Talent

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.

Date Posted: 08-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. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.