Senior Scientist – Oligonucleotide Chemistry, Chemical Development

Macclesfield, UK

Competitive Salary & Benefits

Make a meaningful impact on people’s lives with life-changing medicines

Join the team where everyone feels a personal connection to the people that we impact. From our science labs to manufacturing at scale, we are committed to delivering at the highest quality. It’s inspiring and rewarding work, influencing every part of the product lifecycle to deliver life-changing medicines. To ultimately make people’s lives better – from patients and their families to all of us in society.

We have an exciting opening for a Senior Scientist – Oligonucleotide Chemistry. In this role you will deliver innovative chemistry solutions and work in vibrant teams of scientists in order to drive oligonucleotide development projects.

The Company – AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company where we not only focus on the discovery, development and delivery of life-saving medicines to our patients but believe in sustainability and are determined to minimise the impact of our work on the environment. We are proud to be a great place to work and have a culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. We empower our colleagues to express diverse perspectives and at the same time feel valued, respected and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

The Department – Chemical Development

In Chemical Development, we combine technical knowledge and understanding with the talent and drive to design, develop and optimise synthetic routes that deliver the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of our medicines in a scalable, sustainable, commercially viable way. We seek individuals who are determined to push the boundaries of science to deliver medicines to our patients. We believe in innovation and continuous improvement, working closely with colleagues in academia and across industry, to ensure that we apply the newest technologies and principles in the chemical processes we develop.

The Role – Senior Scientist – Oligonucleotide Chemistry

Oligonucleotide therapeutics are a key area for AstraZeneca and Chemical Development are looking for a highly talented organic chemist to work in the area of oligonucleotide synthesis.

As an experienced synthetic chemist, you will provide scientific leadership and expert technical guidance in oligonucleotide projects.  You will also identify and solve problems, championing science and technology innovations in order to develop the strategic capability.  You’ll have opportunity to coach and develop colleagues, and actively contribute to scientific discipline networks.  By driving innovation, helping to secure intellectual property, and contributing to presentations and publications you will develop your own profile and enhance AstraZeneca’s scientific reputation.

What you’ll do

As an oligonucleotide process chemist working closely with analytical chemists, engineers, project managers and other scientists, you will contribute to pharmaceutical development programmes, supporting project progression through late clinical development and launch.  Potentially, you will lead significant parts of oligonucleotide programmes, directing the work of other scientists.  You will:

• Design and implement new, improved chemical processes for oligonucleotide synthesis, suitable for scale-up, with a focus on process understanding.

• Be responsible for optimising chemical manufacturing processes taking consideration of speed, quality, cost, sustainability, reproducibility and efficiency

• Collaborate closely with other scientists to contribute to the development of new oligonucleotide medicines

• Assess and manage process risks arising from scale, equipment or process changes.

• Identify and solve potential issues as part of process development and clinical manufacturing

• Work with third party organisations to develop and manufacture oligonucleotide API processes

• Helping to shape oligonucleotide chemistry strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders within and external to the function.

• Understand the external regulatory environment for oligonucleotides and contribute towards the development of AstraZeneca’s regulatory strategy

• Deliver CMC content or contributions to regulatory filings and responses to questions, applying sound knowledge of regulatory guidelines.

What you’ll need

Essential Requirements:

• A PhD in Organic Chemistry, or BSc/MSc with relevant industrial experience to an equivalent level

• Substantial experience in practical organic synthesis

• Experience and knowledge relevant to oligonucleotide synthesis

• A proven record of innovation, through authorship of papers, inventor status on patents, or presenting at external conferences.

• An excellent understanding of synthetic reagents and methodologies, reaction mechanisms and modern analytical techniques

• The ability to think innovatively to drive improvement, and address issues when contributing to project strategies

Desirable Requirements:

• Lab-based pharmaceutical industry and/or process development experience, using a broad range of practical techniques

• Knowledge of industry-relevant experimental techniques, e.g. DoE, PAT, reaction kinetics

• Knowledge of the development and manufacturing environment for oligonucleotide therapies

• A substantial and influential record of publication

• Sound understanding of the drug development process from discovery through to launch

• Proven laboratory team leadership skills

• The ability to develop and analyse multiple solutions to problems

• The confidence to coach and drive performance and development among your peers

Skills and Capabilities:

• Ability to challenge and innovate, bringing new solutions and opportunities for chemical development

• Able to analyse and interpret complex chemistry problems and provide solutions

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

• Able to confidently participate in, and potentially lead, improvement projects

So what’s next?

Please submit your application by 3rd October 2021.

Applications must include your current CV and covering letter, which presents your key areas of strength / development and why you should be considered for the role.

Interviews will take place during early November 2021.

Closing date: 3rd October 2021