Associate Principle Scientist – Product Discovery and Development

AstraZeneca • Waltham, MA

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

AstraZeneca is seeking a highly motivated and authoritative individual to join the dynamic Product Discovery and Development group within Pharmaceutical Sciences. This group focuses on advancing a diverse portfolio of small-molecule projects, including PROTAC- and RIPTAC-based therapeutics, across AstraZeneca’s therapeutic areas. The group’s mission is to translate innovative modalities into high-quality investigational medicines. The role involves supporting small molecule projects in AstraZeneca's pipeline by developing analytical methods, formulations, and drug delivery systems.

Requirements

• PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related scientific fields with minimum 3 years, preferably 5+ years post-graduation experience in pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment. Or MS degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering or related scientific fields with minimum 7 years, preferably 10+ years experience in pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment.
• Knowledge and hands-on experience with analytical instruments for the characterization of formulation and drug products particularly in separation and chromatography (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, LC/MS, DLS, DSC, TGA, DVS, PXRD, dissolution)
• Validated ability in designcraftingptimizing formulations of poorly soluble compounds for preclinical studies including PROTACs & RIPTACs
• Knowledge and hands-on experience of enabling formulation technologies including but not limited to amorphous validated dispersion, lipid based formulation and nanoparticles
• Strong analytical, problem solving skills
• Track record of scientific excellence in terms of scientific publications, patents, and/or conference presentations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively lead scientific/project activities
• Committed to guidelines through a process-oriented approach and growth mindset

Nice To Haves

• Willingness to acquire new skills or technologies
• Work independently and collaboratively in team settings
• Modeling and simulation predictions for human oral absorption of drug products
• Broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of drug discovery and drug development
• Understanding of principals and applications of GLS/GLP/GMP

Responsibilities

• Developing analytical methods, formulations, and drug delivery systems with a focus on small molecules
• Serving as a function representative and providing pharmaceutical expertise to global project teams
• Planning and conducting experiments with minimum supervision
• Generating, evaluating, and reporting data clearly and efficiently
• Providing data interpretation and making recommendations to project teams and other partners
• Being actively involved with novel formulation development and innovative technology evaluation
• Working as a member of cross-functional pharmaceutical science and CMC project teams, in close collaboration with other formulators, analytical chemists, chemists and biologists at AstraZeneca
• Presenting data at internal AstraZeneca meetings and occasionally at external meetings

Benefits

• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage
• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles)
• retirement contribution (hourly roles)
• commission payment eligibility (sales roles)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree