Associate Principal Material Scientist – TOSI

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday purchase plan

Pension contributions

Share Save Plans

Performance recognition scheme

Flexible time off

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking an Associate Principal Material Scientist to translate material attributes into robust control strategies, linking characterisation, manufacturing science and data-driven insight. The role supports new product introduction, tech transfer and lifecycle management across internal and external networks.

You will lead material science initiatives, mentor teams, and ensure compliance with cGMP while driving continuous improvement and innovation in a global operations context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a Science/Engineering field.
• Deep understanding of material science in pharma, including excipients and physicochemical properties.
• Experience with material characterisation and trace analysis (e.g., PSD, imaging, DVS, TGA).
• Significant hands-on pharma industry experience with credibility within the business/industry.
• Understanding of drug development and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead material science across the product lifecycle to enable innovative manufacturing platforms.
• Connect material knowledge with control strategy lifecycle management and process intelligence.
• Apply material science to identify risks and improve robustness across sites.
• Build future-ready material science capability through teamwork and digital upskilling.
• Provide external insight on material-related regulations and trends.
• Maintain a technical support model with strong customer service for AZ sites and partners.
• Develop networks across Global Operations and Quality; build partnerships.
• Develop solutions requiring complex judgement and strategic analysis.
• Continuously improve competence, science and innovation.
• Operate in line with Code of Conduct and supporting Policies and Standards.

Skills

Material science

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Lean deployment

Digital mindset

Education

Science/Engineering degree

Job description

Location: Macclesfield, UK (3 days on site per week)

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development!!

Technical Operations, Science & Innovation (TOSI)

brings together scientific, technical, digital and lean expertise to ensure medicines are introduced successfully and remain robust throughout their lifecycle. Through technical excellence, continuous improvement, innovation and agile cross-functional partnerships, we strengthen product and process understanding, improve performance and enable a reliable, sustainable supply of medicines to patients.

Associate Principal Material Scientist

The role will translate material attributes into robust control strategies, faster decisions and practical improvements that protect quality, supply and value for patients. The role will connect material characterisation, manufacturing science, and data-driven insight. It will support new product introduction, technology transfer, lifecycle management, regulatory submissions, complex investigations and continuous improvement across internal and external manufacturing networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead material science product knowledge across the product lifecycle to enable innovative manufacturing platforms, including continuous direct compression, process analytical technology, advanced process control, modelling and digital twins.
• Enhance Product Digital Intelligence by connecting material knowledge with control strategy lifecycle management, product performance monitoring and process intelligence.
• Apply material science to identify risks earlier, improve issue-resolution speed and strengthen product robustness across sites and products.
• Build future-ready material science capability through teamwork, mentoring and role-based digital upskilling.
• Provides external insight and awareness where relevant to material-related regulations and trends.
• Maintain a technical support model with outstanding customer service for all AZ manufacturing sites and external manufacturing/testing partners that align to the Operations vision.
• Build effective networks across the Global Operations organisation AZ operation sites, Quality, and GES. Create an effective partnership, lead expectations and resolve issues positively and in the best interest of AZ.
• Develop solutions to a diverse range of problems requiring complex judgements based on highly developed levels of conceptual thought, strategic vision and analysis.
• Continuously improve in competence, scientific excellence and innovation.
• Conduct activities and interactions consistent with our values and in compliance with the Code of Conduct and supporting Policies and Standards relevant to your role.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree or higher in a Science/Engineering field.
• Deep understanding of material science in the pharmaceutical industry, applied to raw materials, intermediates and drug products, including excipient functionality and its relationship to physicochemical properties.
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of a range of material characterisation and trace analysis of raw material, intermediate and final products (e.g. mechanical testing, PSD, imaging, DVS, TGA, particle flow tests, etc).
• Significant hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry with professional credibility within the business and/or industry.
• Have a good understanding of the overall drug development and commercialisation process from development, launch and through life cycle management.
• Possess an innovative and proactive outlook that demonstrates a digital-first approach to streamline processes, enhance compliance, and champion efficiency.
• Have a thorough understanding of principles, applications and management of SHE and cGMP.
• Experience in Operations and/or R&D with a track record of successful project leadership and delivery within a matrix organization.
• Good intuition for business, excellent organisational skills, and proficiency in business case development and lean deployment.
• Experienced in stakeholder management, capable of leading and collaborating effectively across organisations.
• A problem-solving attitude that delivers in a complex environment to deliver business value.

In Office Requirement

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. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer!

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, a performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

Date Posted

04-Sept-2026

Closing Date

20-Sept-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.