Senior Scientist, Process Engineering — Pharma Development

AstraZeneca plc; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc in Macclesfield, UK, invites a Senior Scientist Process Engineer to design, develop and optimize robust manufacturing processes for oral and parenteral products in late-stage development. This role combines hands-on experimentation with modelling and digital tools to drive efficient transfer to commercial scale.

You will work within a cross-functional team at the interface of science and manufacturing, shaping development strategies and pushing for data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or Applied Physics or MSc with significant industrial experience in pharmaceutical process development.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with experimental design, data generation and interpretation for process understanding.
• Experience in pharmaceutical process development within CMC, including design, development and optimisation of drug product manufacturing processes for oral solids and parenteral products.
• Strong understanding of GMP, Process Safety, Data Integrity and Change Control requirements.
• Experience applying modelling, simulation and digital technologies to support process understanding and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Process Design and Optimization: Lead the design, development and optimization of robust manufacturing processes for oral and parenteral drug products, ensuring long-term performance and patient needs are met.
• Experimental Process Understanding: Design, execute and interpret laboratory studies to build deep process understanding and generate decision-enabling data.
• Scale-Up and Technology Transfer: Contribute within cross-functional teams to develop, scale and transfer reliable commercial manufacturing processes for oral solid dosage forms and parenteral products.
• Modelling and Simulation: Apply modelling, simulation and digital tools to guide experimental strategy, quantify risk and accelerate development timelines.
• Digital Enablement: Champion and advance digital approaches that enhance pharmaceutical process development and strengthen data integrity and reuse.
• Data-Driven Collaboration: Build strong partnerships with formulation scientists, engineers, modelling and simulation specialists, and manufacturing experts to solve complex technical challenges.
• Technical Planning and Delivery: Independently plan and deliver technical activities to agreed timelines and quality standards, applying sound engineering judgement to interpret results and adapt strategies.
• Scientific Networking and Foresight: Contribute to scientific and technology networks, maintaining awareness of emerging methods and technologies relevant to pharmaceutical product development.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Modelling & digital tools

Collaboration & communication

English proficiency

Engineering work packages

Technology transfer

AI tools

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering or Applied Physics

MSc with significant industrial experience in pharmaceutical process development

Tools

Automated manufacturing systems

Job description

AstraZeneca plc in Macclesfield, UK, invites a Senior Scientist Process Engineer to design, develop and optimize robust manufacturing processes for oral and parenteral products in late-stage development. This role combines hands-on experimentation with modelling and digital tools to drive efficient transfer to commercial scale.

You will work within a cross-functional team at the interface of science and manufacturing, shaping development strategies and pushing for data-driven decisions.