Scientist Chemistry (bachelor/master) 5X

AstraZeneca plc; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Share purchase plan

8% holiday allowance

Company pension

Job summary

AstraZeneca Oncology R&D in Amsterdam is hiring a Scientist Chemistry (Bachelor/Master) to join the Medicinal Chemistry team. You will synthesize and analyze new molecules, driving lab progress and contributing to projects advancing toward clinical development.

The role includes scaling syntheses to support in vivo testing, presenting results in meetings, and collaborating across teams. MSc or equivalent with 3+ years in organic/medicinal chemistry is preferred; English fluency required.

Qualifications

• Completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemistry with organic chemistry as specialization (or equivalent).
• Position aimed at MSc or equivalent background; not intended for PhD-level profiles.
• At least 3 years of experience with organic (and/or medicinal) chemistry (synthesis of small organic molecules).
• Experience with standard analysis and purification techniques such as column chromatography, (HP)LC-MS, NMR.
• Medicinal chemistry experience in the pharmaceutical industry is an advantage.
• You are fluent in English.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Team-oriented with willingness to relocate within commuting distance of Amsterdam; travel to Oss may be required.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize new bioactive substances within medicinal chemistry programs, developing efficient synthetic routes.
• Scale up synthesis from mg to g scale for in vivo testing.
• Present work in regular chemistry and project meetings and discuss chemistry across teams.
• Familiarize with optimization concepts for small molecules across modalities in modern medicinal chemistry.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Medicinal chemistry

English fluent

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in chemistry

Tools

Column chromatography

HPLC/LC-MS

NMR

Job description

Developing future oncology medicines through hands-on medicinal chemistry.

Within our Medicinal Chemistry department, we have exciting opportunities for Scientists Chemistry, who are enthusiastic about hands-on laboratory work and enjoy working closely with colleagues in a collaborative environment. These roles offer the chance to apply yourexpertise, and to make a real impact on the progress of our projects.

AcertaPharma will berelocatingtoAmsterdam, with the current move planned forMarch/April 2027. Until that time, you will be working from our facilities in Oss. After the move, you will be basedatournew sitein Amsterdam.

Our preference is for the new Senior Scientist to join in January 2027; however, we can be flexible on the starting date depending on your availability.

ScientistChemistry (bachelor/master)5X

Pivot Park Oss|AmsterdamUMC campus

Fulltime

Your challenge:

AsaScientist,you willbepart of ourMedicinal Chemistry teamand focus on thesynthesis and analysis of new molecules.You will be the driving force in the lab,contributing to theprogressof our projects towards clinical development.

What will you be doing?

• Your main task is tosynthesizenewbioactive substances chemical entitieswithin medicinal chemistryprograms,usingstate-of-the art organic chemistry techniques. Together with your colleagues, youwillimplementnew synthetic routes and processes to get to thedesired moleculesmost efficiently.
• You will scale upthe synthesis of interesting analogues from mg to g scale forfurther in vivotesting.
• You will present your workinregularchemistry and project meetings andactively take part in discussingthe chemistryofyourand otherteams.
• You will havethe opportunity tofamiliarize yourselfwith important concepts on optimization of small moleculesfor different modalities in modern Medicinal ChemistryYoumaintainahigh qualityandaccurateelectronicnotebook, a safe working environment, andoperateaccordingtoourguidelines on Safety,Healthand Environment.

Whatareyoubringing?

• Completedbachelor’s or master’s degree in chemistrywith organic chemistry as aspecialisation(or equivalent).
• Please note: this position is aimed at candidates with a relevant MSc or equivalent background and is not intended for PhD-level profiles.
• At least3years of experience with organic(and/or medicinal)chemistry (synthesis of small organic molecules).
• Experience withstandardanalysis and purification techniquessuch ascolumn chromatography,(HP)LC-MS, NMR.
• Experience with medicinal chemistry in the pharmaceutical industry is an advantage.
• Youare fluent in English.
• Excellent writtenand communicationskills.
• You enjoy working in a team where each member is supportive and opentohelpingeach other.
• You live in Europe, are willing to relocate within commuting distance of Amsterdam, and can travel to Oss for the first months.

What do we offer you?

• A dynamic, innovative, international working environment, where you can be part of the development of new medicines that can make a difference to patients' lives.
• The opportunity to work withstate-of-the-artequipment and analytical techniques.
• The opportunity to grow intomodern Medicinal Chemistry across multiple modalities.
• Competitive salary and secondary benefits including 8% holiday allowance, 27 holidays on a full-time basis.Additional: office closure between X-mas and New Year + Good Friday + day after Ascension Day.
• Collective pension with a fixed percentage personal contribution.
• Bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to participate in our share purchase plan with an additional contribution from AstraZeneca.
• Vitalityof our colleagues is important to us, which is why you can exercise at a discount or make use of our bicycle plan.
• Support for potential extra travelling costs during the transition period when working at the Oss site.

About AstraZeneca Oncology R&D, Amsterdam

At AstraZeneca Amsterdam, we bring together two research groups, in haemato-oncology and next-generation cell therapy research. Together, they form our OncologyR&D hub in the Netherlands, working closely with colleagues in the US, Canada,Spainand the UK, to develop innovative treatments for patients with cancer.

Our haematology R&D group was bornas AcertaPharma, one of the Netherland’s greatest biotech success stories. Its small-molecule BTK inhibitor has been approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of Chronic LymphocyticLeukaemia(CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). In Amsterdam approximately 100 colleagues continue the development of new therapies forhaematologicalmalignancies under the AstraZeneca brand name.

AstraZeneca’s Cell Therapy R&D team focuses on developing next-generation T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies targeting neoantigens in solidtumours. With a team of around 75 scientists, we work on both fullyindividualizedand shared neo-antigen approaches, with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with cancer.

Our oncology research and development hub is anchored by our newstate-of-the-artlaboratoriesinOne Helixand the adjacent Plus Ultra Amsterdam building, bothlocatedon the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC) campus. Our hub is firmly positioned at the heart of the Dutch research community network, creating new opportunities for our people, our science, and the patients we work to transform outcomes for.

We don’t work with a fixed closing date: The vacancy will remain online until we have concluded the process.

Date Posted

02-okt.-2026

Closing Date

22-nov.-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.