Senior Material Scientist Pharmaceutical Product Development

AstraZeneca is a global science-led patient-centred pharmaceutical company focusing on discovering developing and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the worlds most serious diseases. Butweremore than a global leading pharma company. At AstraZenecawerededicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.

In Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D) we are the bridge between brilliant science and innovative medicines that help millions of people. We work across the entire value chain designing and delivering active ingredients formulations and devicesto support new medicines from supplies for use in early toxicology studies and clinical trials to developing the technology to ensure drugs can be scaled up for commercial manufacture.

We are looking for a dedicated and motivatedSeniorMaterialScientistto joinourMaterial Designteam inGothenburg (Sweden).In this role you will get the opportunityto strengthen our capabilities inmaterialscienceapplied to ourwide range ofportfolioacross oralinhaledand parenteraldosage forms.Your project-based scientific experience in material science combined with a strong digital approach anda drive toapply physical chemistry to transform pharmaceutical development makes you a perfect candidate.

You will join a global team of material scientists driving the development ofinnovativesmall moleculedrug products across parenteralinhaledand oralplatforms.Your role will be pivotal at the interface of raw materials drug product processes andin-vivoperformancesupporting drug projects from clinical through commercial phases. You will partner closely with formulators process engineers analysts and external collaborators to advanceprojectsfrom latestage development throughtocommercialisation.You willoperateat the interfaces andstrengthenour understanding of howcritical material attributes influence process robustness and product performance.

You will delivermaterial scienceknowledgecombining theory hands-on lab-based experiments withmodeling/simulation/predictionthat encompasses understanding of manufacturing processes control strategyrobustnessand stability related to pharmaceutical drug development. You will also work with multiple internal and external interfaces supporting drug projects from the early clinical phase through to commercial filings.

Key responsibilities:

• Leadand delivermaterial science activitiesandsupport drug product projectstoensuredelivery to agreed achievements.

• Define and drive the identification and understanding of critical material attributes(e.g. drug substances excipients intermediate drug products)and theirimpact onproduct performance and/ormanufacture process robustness includingimpact of material variabilitydrug substance-excipientinteractionsand stability.

• Design and conduct lab-basedexperimentalactivitiesto assess materials risksprobe substanceexcipientinteractionsdeliverrobust material science plans and develop comprehensivematerials controls strategiesalongwithsolid state scientiststo support projectsas Material Design skill lead.

• Drive digital-first strategiesand applyin silicoapproaches (e.g.molecular modelling generative AImodelsor simulations) toaccelerate formulationdecisionsandpredict critical parameters and their impact on product performance.

• Represent material science on projects and collaborate with analysts formulators and process engineers at the drug substancedrug product interface to integraterisk-basedmaterialsstrategies into product designto driveinnovationrobustnessandregulatory readiness.

• Developappropriate methodsto support formulation development and perform phaseappropriate validationasin accordance withrelevant guidelines.

• Engage with external partners to extend capability oversee outsourced work and supportmaterial characterisationand/ormethod transferas needed.

• Author and review technical documentation including development reports and contributions toregulatory documentsas well as responding to health authority questions

• Lead or contribute tothe development of AI-toolssupportingmaterial characterisationmethodsand/orstudies (e.g.predictbulk powder properties compactionetc.).

Required skills & knowledge

• PhD and/orBSc/MSc witha few years ofindustrial experiencein a field relevant toMaterial Science Physical Chemistry PharmaceuticalSciences/Technology ChemicalEngineeringor related field.

• Demonstrated experienceof techniquesused to investigate material behavioursforsmallmoleculesspecificallykey physical properties includingexcellent understanding of principles of physical chemistry related to surface properties and particle characterization and bulk powderbehaviour.

• Proven experience in material science characterization (particlesize surface morphologyimagingandpowderflow properties).

• Advanced practicalexpertisein characterization methods such as powderrheometry(RST FT4) particle size by laser diffraction or dynamic light scatteringpycnometry specific surface area by BET and SEM imaging.

• Understandingof how to develop relationships between material attributes productprocessingand productperformance.

• Proven ability to lead scientificactivitiesin multi-disciplinary teams prioritise effectively and deliver to timelinesand to a high-quality standard.

• Ability to tackle complex scientific problems and troubleshootingcollaboratively with a positive attitude.

• Strong communicationskills with the ability to explain complex datasets andchallengesclearly to diverse partners.

Desirableskills & knowledge

• Experience of pharmaceutical development&manufacturabilityaspects relevantto oralsolid dose manufacturing technologies (such asContinuous Direct Compression Roller CompactionWet Granulationetc.)

• Knowledge of tools for multivariate analysis datavisualizationand predictive modelling packages.

• Familiarity with GenAI tools and theirpossible implementationintheday-to-day life in the roleasMaterialScientist

• Familiarity withsolid state characterization and impact of solidformon particle and bulk powder propertiesas well asunderstanding of drug product process-induced transformationsthat mayimpactperformance of final product

• Experience with structure-informaticsfor prediction ofparticle properties.

• Experience working with outsourced partners (CMOs/CROs) including study oversight and tech transfer support.

• Experience contributing to CMC regulatory authoring (e.g.module/sections responses to questions) and/or supporting regulatory interactions.

• Evidence of scientific excellence through publicationsand/orconference presentations.

• Experienceoperatingunder GLP/GMP standards within a pharmaceutical industry orhighlyregulatedenvironment.

When we putdiverseteams in the same room we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing -person working gives us the platform we need to connect work at pace and challengeperceptions.Thatswhy we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Ready to make a difference We welcome your application CV and cover letter clearly stating how your experience aligns to the scope of the role no later than April 7th 2026 and join us on this exciting journey!