Senior Scientist in Trace Analysis Mass Spectrometry

AstraZeneca; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Macclesfield seeks a Senior Scientist in Trace Analysis Mass Spectrometry to quantify trace impurities and generate high-quality data for product understanding and regulatory submissions.

You will develop MS methods, optimise separation science and sample preparation, investigate unexpected results, and collaborate across development and external laboratories to ensure robust data and GMP-compliant practices.

Qualifications

• Significant practical experience in mass spectrometry and pharmaceutical analysis.
• Ability to develop, troubleshoot and apply MS methods for trace-level impurities.
• Experience interpreting complex analytical data and communicating across disciplines, sites, cultures and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review and apply MS methods to quantify trace impurities in complex matrices.
• Design and optimise sample preparation and chromatography.
• Investigate unexpected results and unknown impurities; perform characterisation and structure confirmation.
• Translate analytical outputs into clear, defensible conclusions that drive impurity control strategies.
• Collaborate with project teams and external laboratories to ensure timely delivery and data integrity.
• Operate to GMP/GLP and data-integrity standards; support inspection-ready documentation.
• Mentor colleagues and advance scientific capability, including automation and digital tools.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Separation science

Data interpretation

Cross-disciplinary communication

Education

Scientific degree

Tools

Mass spectrometry platforms

Chromatography

Data processing tools

Job description

Job Title: Senior Scientist in Trace Analysis Mass Spectrometry

Location: Macclesfield

Salary: Competitive

Introduction To Role

Are you ready to use separation science and mass spectrometry to quantify trace impurities that protect patients and accelerate medicines to market? Based at our Macclesfield, UK campus, you will apply your expertise to generate decisive, high-quality data that directly shapes product understanding and control strategies.

You will join an analytical team that partners across development and commercialisation, translating complex trace-level signals into clear, evidence-led decisions. Your work will influence how products are designed, controlled and released, ensuring the right outcomes for patients and the business. Do you want to see your conclusions inform regulatory submissions and help define robust strategies for known and unknown impurities?

Accountabilities

• Trace Impurity Quantification: Develop, review and apply mass spectrometry methods to quantify trace-level components in complex matrices, supporting both development projects and marketed products with reliable, sensitive and specific assays.
• Separation Science and Sample Preparation: Design and optimise sample-preparation and chromatographic approaches that resolve challenging low-level analytes, ensuring reproducible outcomes and robust method performance.
• Investigation and Characterisation: Investigate unexpected results and unknown impurities; conduct targeted characterisation and structure confirmation to explain signals and strengthen scientific rationale.
• Data Interpretation and Decision Influence: Translate analytical outputs into clear, defensible conclusions that drive product understanding, impurity control strategies and regulatory documentation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and External Oversight: Work closely with project teams and partner functions to deliver on timelines; transfer methods or oversee external laboratories to ensure consistent execution and data integrity.
• Quality, Compliance and Safety: Operate to Safety, Health and Environment expectations and applicable GMP, GLP and data-integrity standards; contribute to inspection-ready documentation and ways of working.
• Capability Building and Continuous Improvement: Share knowledge, mentor colleagues and advance scientific capability, including opportunities to apply automation and digital tools for efficiency and insight.

Essential Skills/Experience

• A relevant scientific degree, or equivalent experience, with significant practical experience in mass spectrometry and pharmaceutical analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, troubleshoot, review and apply mass spectrometry methods for the quantification of trace-level components in complex matrices.
• Practical experience operating and interpreting data from a range of mass spectrometry platforms, supported by strong separation-science and sample-preparation skills.
• Ability to interpret complex analytical data, draw scientifically defensible conclusions and communicate and influence effectively across disciplines, sites, cultures and external partners.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience with automated or high-throughput sample-preparation approaches and digital tools for analytical data processing or workflow improvement.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical product development, impurity control strategies and the development lifecycle from early development through launch and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting method transfer, external analytical partners, technical investigations or regulatory submissions, and a proactive approach to developing colleagues.
• A sound understanding of quality and regulatory expectations relevant to pharmaceutical analysis, including GMP, data integrity and applicable ICH guidance.

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.

Why AstraZeneca

Here you will build your expertise on a rich, science-led pipeline while working shoulder-to-shoulder with diverse experts who value evidence, accountability and modern approaches to Quality. We bring unexpected teams together to solve complex analytical problems, using advanced technologies and digital thinking to raise reliability and speed. Your data will carry the voice of the patient, informing control strategies that keep medicines safe and available worldwide. We value kindness alongside ambition, and we support bold, well-reasoned decisions that add real value across the product lifecycle.

Date Posted: 28-Oct-2026

Closing Date: 05-Nov-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.