Senior Scientist - Laboratory Automation – Process Chemistry / Analytical

AstraZeneca plc; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Automation & Data Science unit as a Laboratory Automation Scientist. You will develop and support new automation platforms and maintain a growing fleet of automated instruments to enable data-rich experiments.

You will work with chemists, engineers and IT to deploy automated workflows, troubleshoot systems, and hand over pilots to chemistry/analytical teams, contributing to lab digital maturity and safe lab

Qualifications

• Degree in chemistry, chemical robotics or mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency in programming and scripting for automation platforms.
• Experience with CAD and prototyping tools.
• Operational experience with lab automation systems, including design/development and troubleshooting of robotic platforms.
• Proven innovation through papers, patents, or presentations.
• Ability to develop and analyse multiple solutions to problems.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and integrate automated platforms for synthesis and analytical chemistry to improve efficiency and data capture.
• Translate analytical workflows into practical automation solutions across multiple techniques.
• Program and operate laboratory robotics; troubleshoot and optimize systems with internal teams and vendors.
• Lead technology evaluation, platform upgrades, and new automation initiatives to advance lab digital maturity.
• Train scientists on new and existing automation systems and ensure quality and safety compliance.

Skills

Programming & scripting

Lab automation

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

PhD in chemistry or related field

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

CAD

Laboratory robotics

Automation hardware

Lab instrumentation

Job description

Join our expert team at AstraZeneca to pioneer a new future to meet global healthcare challenges. Be part of shaping a better future for all, supporting healthy communities by addressing the global societal and economic burden of disease. We are committed to leading in sustainability. Backed by a belief in the connection between the health of our business, people and the planet.

In Chemical Development we believe that nothing is impossible, and we are determined to push the boundaries of science to deliver medicines to our patients. We combine people’s technical knowledge and understanding with their talent and drive to design, develop and optimise synthetic routes and processes that deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients of our medicines in a sustainable, commercially viable way. We believe in innovation and continuous improvement, working closely with colleagues in academia and across industry, to ensure that we apply the cutting‑edge technologies and principles in the processes we develop.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist to join the Automation & Data Science unit as a Laboratory Automation Scientist. The role will develop, deliver and support new automation platforms, while maintaining our growing fleet of automated and semi‑automated experimental equipment. This role is key to advance our Lab of the Future programme by enabling effective data generation and seamless data flows across the digital laboratory ecosystem.

As part of a team of automation specialists, you will take ownership of a diverse range of laboratory instruments, ensuring their availability, performance and suitability for experimental workflows. You will troubleshoot and optimise existing systems while developing and deploying new automated workflows for wider departmental use.

You will support the day‑to‑day activities of the laboratory facilities management team, ensuring that troubleshooting and routine laboratory housekeeping are completed effectively and in line with departmental requirements.

In your role you will identify and compare existing capabilities, develop or configure prototypes, and pilot the preferred approach with selected teams. Following a successful pilot, the role holder will support the handover to the chemistry/analytical teams.

As a key and central part of the Lab of the Future program, you will work in close partnership with chemists, engineers, data scientists, and IT, enabling data‑rich experimentation and smart process development. Your role encompasses hands‑on interaction with automation hardware/software, programming and troubleshooting systems, collaborating on integration projects, and ensuring solutions are robust and compliant with quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive the design, implementation, and integration of automated platforms for synthetic and analytical chemistry, ensuring efficiency from reagent management to data capture and modelling.

• Translating analytical workflows into practical, user‑centred automation solutions, supporting a wide range of technical areas from sample preparation to various analytical techniques, such as chromatography and spectroscopies/spectrometries.

• Program and operate laboratory robotics, troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, and work closely with vendors and internal teams to optimize system performance.

• Lead or support technology evaluation, platform upgrades, and new automation initiatives that advance laboratory digital maturity.

• Train and empower laboratory scientists on use, maintenance, and best practice for new and existing automation systems.

• Ensure compliance with laboratory and IT quality standards, including software validation, change management, and system security and safety protocols.

• Ensure safe laboratory operations and prepare the required safety documentation.

• Streamline laboratory operations through the implementation of lab governance activities such as lab mapping, automated inventory tracking and QR‑enabled service‑request management.

• Execute practical experimental work on our automated platforms. This includes the execution of instrument testing protocols when designing new workflows or assuring data quality on new instrument investments. It may extend to provision of project data which feeds the development activities delivering new drug substance targets.

• Provide expert hands‑on support to the facilities management team delivering the MettlerToledo fleet maintenance.

Essential requirements

• A degree (at PhD or lower-level with equivalent professional experience) in chemistry, chemical robotics or mechanical engineering, or a related technical field with hands‑on experience in laboratory or process automation.

• Proficiency in programming and scripting for automation platforms, robotics, and laboratory informatics.

• Experience with CAD and prototyping new tools and equipment

• Operational experience with laboratory automation systems, including design/development, troubleshooting, and optimization of robotic platforms.

• Proven record of innovation through, for instance, authorship of papers, inventor status on patents, or presenting at external conferences.

• The ability to develop and analyse multiple solutions to problems.

Desirable requirements

• Synthetic organic chemistry laboratory experienceand/or experience working in analytical laboratories and experience of chromatography or spectroscopic characterisation techniques e.g. UHPLC, NMR, MS

• Experience within a process or manufacturing environment
• Experience from working with automated analytical procedures

• Experience of the analytical area such as method development and method validation.

• Familiarity with data science methodologies and AI/ML implementations in laboratory automation.

• Knowledge of GLS requirements for instrument maintenance

• Experience working with ALRs and HTE automated platforms

Skills and capabilities

• Ability to challenge, innovate, think critically and flexibly, bringing new solutions and opportunities for chemical development.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate across interfaces of scientific disciplines, culture, and expertise both internally and externally.

• The ability to confidently participate in, and potentially lead, improvement projects.

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, your science moves with purpose. You will work with cutting‑edge biotechnology, new drug modalities, and rich data to shape how serious diseases are treated, including opportunities at the earliest stages where impact is greatest. We bring diverse experts together to spark bold ideas, apply innovative methods like AI and novel selection strategies, and learn quickly from real evidence. We value kindness alongside ambition, empowering you to take smart risks, collaborate deeply, and see your discoveries turn into medicines that reach patients.

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.