Mass Spectrometry Specialist - Senior Scientist (FTC)

Job Title: Mass Spectrometry Specialist - Senior Scientist (FTC)

Locations: Macclesfield, UK

Salary: Competitive + Excellent Employee Benefits!

Applications Deadline: June 22

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we win through science, it’s at the heart of our every success! That science is only possible when we all work together – we’ll always make sure you’re clear about how your role is connected to our wider mission to really show what science can do!

Introduction to the role:

AstraZeneca is a global, science-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering innovative, meaningful medicines and healthcare solutions that enrich the lives of patients.

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a function within the AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D unit that creates innovative, efficient solutions by transforming molecules into investigative medicines meeting unmet needs of future patients. The function has four departments: Early Chemical Development, Advanced Drug Delivery, Early Product Development and Manufacturing, and Data Science and Modelling. Our wide-ranging portfolio of projects includes traditional small molecules, nucleotide-based therapies and other novel modalities across AstraZeneca’s therapy areas.

Early Chemical Development (ECD) is a world class CMC department with responsibility for early phase Drug Substance. The department’s responsibilities span from early engagement with Discovery Chemistry groups to manufacture of Phase II Clinical material, and its key skill areas include Analytical Chemistry, Crystallisation, Isotope Chemistry, Large-Scale Laboratory (Kilo-Lab) Manufacturing, Process Chemistry, Process Design, Process Engineering, Route Design and Separation Science.

Accountabilities:

We are currently recruiting on a temporary FTC a mass spectrometry specialist to join our analytical group within ECD who are dedicated to the development of control strategies and the accompanying analytical methods to enable the development of manufacturing routes for clinical active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) at AstraZeneca across a range of small and large molecules.

During this 12 months-FTC, We’re looking for a scientist who is enthusiastic, motivated, with a strong desire to learn. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Structural elucidation of small molecule APIs to support regulatory submissions

• Impurity characterisation of low level impurities within our APIs to drive process and control strategy understanding

• Developing our capabilities in mass spectrometry, with a focus on complex small molecules such as drug-linkers.

• Working with project analysts to provide mass spectrometry knowledge and support to progress project understanding

• Enhancing ECD and AstraZeneca’s scientific reputation by sharing knowledge internally, publishing high calibre research and engaging in external collaborations.

• Ensure that work is in accordance with appropriate Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) guidelines, quality and compliance standards, e.g. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Required Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• PhD level education with a focus on mass spectrometry or BSc level education in chemistry with at least one years’ experience of structural elucidation using mass spectrometry.

• A thorough understanding of mass spectrometry instrumentation and applicability to pharmaceutical setting.

• A rational and logical approach to decision-making and problem-solving; the ability to make judgements based on sound reasoning and data.

• Ability to challenge the status quo and look for novel solutions

• Ability to collaborate and work optimally within and across teams.

• Self-motivated and systematic approach to work and delivering to deadlines.

• Great communication skills (written and spoken).

• A thorough understanding of the principles and management of SHE and cGMP.