Associate Principal Scientist – Tides Downstream Processing Expert

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits fund

Pension contributions

Share Save Plans

Performance recognition scheme

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Macclesfield seeks an Associate Principal Scientist – Tides Downstream Processing to set scientific direction for downstream development and lead cross-disciplinary teams. The role combines hands-on lab work with strategic planning to deliver scalable downstream processes for Tides, including global cleavage, purification and drying.

The successful candidate will design experiments, build process understanding, and drive technology implementation across manufacturing scales,

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field.
• Significant industrial experience in pharmaceutical/process development environments.
• Experience bringing processes from lab to manufacturing scale and transfer.
• Strong understanding of downstream unit operations and scale-dependent performance.
• Ability to develop and implement technical strategies from concept to implementation.
• Experience leading complex activities and influencing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong scientific communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Evidence of coaching or mentoring colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for downstream process development from lab to manufacture.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver process and technology work packages.
• Design and interpret studies to generate process understanding and resolve issues.
• Identify and implement innovative downstream technologies.
• Understand relationships between peptide impurities and process performance to optimise downstream steps.
• Apply PAT, modelling, automation and digital approaches to enhance understanding and control.
• Lead or support scale-up, tech transfer and manufacturing activities.
• Collaborate with external partners to access capabilities and accelerate development.
• Build organizational capability through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Communicate data and recommendations clearly for timely decisions.

Skills

Downstream processing

Scale-up

Process development

Technical transfer

Peptide chemistry

Team leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field

Industrial pharmaceutical experience

Tools

Process modelling software

PAT (Process Analytical Technology)

Job description

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company where we focus on the discovery, development and delivery of life-changing medicines to patients. We are also committed to sustainability and determined to minimise the environmental impact of our work. We are proud to be a great place to work, with a culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. We empower colleagues to express diverse perspectives and ensure they feel valued, respected and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Location: Macclesfield, UK

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

In Chemical Development, we believe that nothing is impossible, and we are compelled to push the boundaries of science to deliver medicines to our patients. We combine technical knowledge and understanding with talent and drive to design, develop and optimise routes and processes that deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of our medicines in a scalable, sustainable and commercially viable way.

As our portfolio continues to evolve, we are expanding our capabilities in Tides, including synthetic peptides and oligonucleotides. We now have an exciting permanent opportunity for an Associate Principal Scientist to play a leading role in Tides downstream process development and help establish the scientific and technical capabilities needed to deliver the next generation of medicines.

As Associate Principal Scientist – Tides Downstream Processing Expert, you will set the scientific direction for Tides downstream process development and lead multidisciplinary matrix teams investigating, developing and implementing processes and new technologies at manufacturing scale. You will combine this leadership with significant hands‑on scientific delivery. Laboratory work is a core expectation, and you will personally design and carry out experiments, interpret data, build process understanding and resolve complex technical challenges.

Your primary focus will be peptides, with opportunities to contribute to downstream processing strategy and capability across the broader Tides portfolio as this area develops. You will define and implement scalable strategies for key downstream stages, including global cleavage and deprotection, preparative chromatographic purification, concentration using membrane and evaporation technologies, and amorphous isolation and drying.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the technical direction for downstream process development from laboratory experimentation through scale-up, technical transfer and implementation in manufacture.
• Lead multidisciplinary matrix teams delivering process and technology work packages.
• Design, execute and interpret laboratory and in silico studies to generate process understanding, optimise processes and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Identify, evaluate, develop and implement innovative downstream processing technologies that improve robustness, scalability, sustainability, cycle time and cost.
• Develop understanding of the relationship between peptide impurity profile, physical properties and process performance, using this knowledge to select and optimise downstream processes.
• Apply modelling, process analytical technology (PAT), automation and digital approaches where they contribute to process understanding, development and control.
• Lead or support scale-up, manufacturability assessments, technical transfer and manufacturing activities at internal and external facilities.
• Work with external partners, technology providers and contract organisations to access specialist capability and accelerate process/technology development where appropriate.
• Build organisational capability through coaching, mentoring, knowledge sharing and the development of effective scientific practices.
• Assess, document and communicate data and recommendations clearly, enabling timely and well-informed technical decisions.

Requirements

• A degree, PhD and/or equivalent qualification in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related scientific field.
• Substantial industrial experience in pharmaceutical, fine chemical, biotechnology or a closely related process development environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing processes from laboratory experimentation through scale-up, technical transfer and/or implementation in manufacture.
• Strong practical understanding of relevant downstream unit operations and the scientific and engineering principles that govern their performance at different scales.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver innovative, realistic technical strategies from initial concept through to implementation.
• Experience leading complex technical activities and influencing multidisciplinary teams through scientific expertise, clear direction and collaborative working.
• Strong scientific communication, stakeholder‑management and influencing skills.
• Evidence of coaching or mentoring colleagues and contributing to organisational capability building.

Desirable

• Experience in peptide and/or oligonucleotide process development and manufacture.
• Practical experience of peptide cleavage and global deprotection chemistry, preparative chromatography, tangential flow filtration, and/or amorphous isolation technologies.
• Experience of evaluating and implementing new manufacturing technologies.
• Evidence of applying advanced process modelling to understand unit operation performance and support process development, scale-up and technology selection.
• Knowledge or application of process analytical technology, automation and digital technologies to laboratory development and/or manufacturing processes.
• Experience supporting technical transfer, manufacturing campaigns and resolution of manufacturing issues.

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.

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.