Senior Scientist (Synthetic Chemistry)- Maternity Cover (Fixed-Term Contract)

AstraZeneca; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company in London seeks a Senior Scientist to join their Oncology Targeted Discovery team. This laboratory-based role involves developing innovative cancer therapies through advanced organic synthesis. Candidates should have a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry and experience with complex molecules. The position emphasizes collaboration and clear communication within a supportive team culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Excellent employee benefits

Supportive company culture

Qualifications

• PhD in synthetic organic chemistry or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Strong track record in developing synthetic routes and troubleshooting challenging chemistry.
• Enjoys hands-on bench chemistry and experienced in scaling up and purifying potent molecules.

Responsibilities

• Plan and perform multi-step synthetic routes to deliver complex payloads.
• Apply advanced organic synthesis and purification techniques.
• Collaborate with scientists across chemistry and biology.

Skills

Developing synthetic routes

Troubleshooting challenging chemistry

Characterizing compounds

Clear scientific communication

Education

PhD in synthetic organic chemistry or equivalent experience

Tools

NMR

LC-MS

Job description

Location: Whitechapel, London, UK

Salary: Competitive + Excellent Employee Benefits

Introduction to the Role

Are you ready to advance cancer research and grow your expertise in a leading biopharmaceutical company? At AstraZeneca, your ideas and skills matter—we believe every team member brings fresh perspectives that help us create life-changing medicines.

As a Senior Scientist (Synthetic Chemistry) joining our Oncology Targeted Discovery team for a 6–11 month maternity cover at our Whitechapel site, you’ll work alongside collaborative colleagues who value teamwork, curiosity, and your unique contributions. If you’re looking for the next step in your scientific career, we invite you to learn, grow, and make an impact in our supportive and innovative environment.

About the Role

In this hands-on, laboratory-based role, you will directly contribute to our Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) chemistry projects. Your work will advance innovative payload and linker-payload architectures—critical to developing new cancer therapies. You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues, apply your expertise to tackle challenging molecules, and play a key part in shaping the future of oncology research.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and perform multi-step synthetic routes to deliver complex payloads and linker-payload constructs with high purity and reproducibility.
• Apply advanced organic synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization (including NMR, LC-MS), working with challenging and structurally diverse molecules.
• Work closely with scientists across chemistry and biology, sharing data and insights to support ADC design and optimization.
• Maintain detailed experimental records, adhere to HSE standards, and contribute to technical reports summarizing synthetic approaches and findings.

Essential Skills/Requirements

• Education & Experience: PhD in synthetic organic chemistry or equivalent hands-on experience, ideally with postdoctoral or industry background in complex molecule synthesis.
• Technical Skills: Strong track record in developing synthetic routes, troubleshooting challenging chemistry, and characterizing compounds at every stage.
• Lab Focus: Enjoys hands-on bench chemistry and thrives in a dynamic laboratory setting; experienced in scaling up and purifying potent molecules.
• Communication: Demonstrates clear scientific communication and actively collaborates with diverse project teams.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, you’ll join people who are united by a desire to improve lives and advance scientific ideas for patients around the world. We value diversity and welcome new perspectives. You’ll find a supportive culture with respect, teamwork, and opportunities to learn and grow. Here, your work matters and your individuality is respected.

Application Timeline

Excited to shape the future with us? We welcome your application—please send your CV and cover letter with your availability by October 14. At AstraZeneca, your journey matters. We look forward to seeing how your skills and experience will help advance our shared mission.

Everyone’s journey is unique—your story matters to us, and we look forward to learning how your skills and ideas will contribute to our team and mission.

Curious about working with us?

Connect and explore our community and culture:

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Date Posted: 30-Sep-2025

Closing Date: 13-Oct-2025

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates perform at their best. If you need adjustments, please indicate this in the application.