Senior Scientist – Advanced Drug Delivery

AstraZeneca•Waltham, MA

15d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is within the Advanced Drug Delivery group, a department within Pharmaceutical Sciences at AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D. The department's mission is to transform molecules into investigational medicines to meet the unmet needs of future patients. The Advanced Drug Delivery group focuses on transforming diverse modalities, including small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and RNA-based therapeutics, into investigational medicines across AstraZeneca's therapy areas. The Waltham, Massachusetts facility is a hub for small-molecule research in North America, featuring innovative laboratories designed to foster collaboration and cross-functional science. The company culture emphasizes ambition, big thinking, and collaboration to achieve the impossible, valuing individuals who are swift to action, confident leaders, willing collaborators, and curious about science. The location is accessible via shuttle from Alewife station, placing it within a vibrant research center.

Requirements

PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related scientific disciplines with minimum of 1 to 2 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 disciplines with minimum 5 years, preferably 7+ years industry 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)
Demonstrated ability in designing and optimizing 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 solid 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 effective methods through a structured 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 reliably
Providing data interpretation and making recommendations to project teams and other stakeholders
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