Senior Scientist Technical Outsourcing Chemist

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Outsourcing Chemist to join our recently expanded Adaptive Chemistry Team (ACT) within Discovery Sciences. In this office based role you will work with internal and external teams to deliver innovative synthetic routes and processes to provide Drug Substance to drive our preclinical projects.

In addition to its in-house activities AstraZeneca works with several of the worlds leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) to effectively deliver our rich and exciting pipeline of New Molecular Entities. The position is based at our vibrant AstraZeneca R&D site in Gothenburg Sweden.

What youll do

As an experienced chemist you will be responsible for transferring chemistry methods and processes developed internally to our CDMO partners to support external development and manufacture of several of our small-molecule investigative compounds.

To be successful in this role you need to have a strong background in chemistry with hands-on laboratory experience of small molecule synthesis. You will be familiar with the capabilities of leading worldwide CDMOs operating in the Drug Substance Sector and will have prior experience of working with or working at these organisations.We particularly welcome applicants with experience at the 100 g to 5 kg scale and those with experience outsourcing chemical research and development.

You bring excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional project teams. With a sharp eye for detail you ensure technical packages are complete clear and accurate including relevant health and safety data and predictive assessments. You are a confident communicator with a strong track record of influencing and building relationships across functions cultures and geographies.

Typical accountabilitieswill include:

• Lead multiple outsourced work packagesfrom planning through to delivery ensuring alignment with project objectives timelines and quality expectations

• Define the technical scope of outsourced activities includingroute and/or process design development and manufacture and lead effective technical transfer toCDMO partners

• Curate and author manufacturing route and process documentationin line with theAstraZeneca Knowledge Management Framework ensuring effective knowledge transfer within AstraZeneca and across external partners

• Oversee and monitor progress of outsourced workagainst agreed technical objectives timelines and deliverables

• Provide technical troubleshooting and scientific guidanceto address day-to-day chemistry challenges encountered byCDMO scientists

• Act as a conduit for AstraZeneca synthetic and specialist expertiseinto externally executed projects drawing on areas such ascatalysis crystallisation process engineering biotransformation computational chemistry process safety and continuous processing

• Ensure the quality completeness and compliance of documentationreceived fromCDMO partners

• Contribute to portfolio management of outsourced projects including understanding project needs shaping outsourcing strategies supporting budget estimates building realistic cross-functional timelines and communicating risks opportunities progress and issues to stakeholders

• Develop and refine efficient consistent ways of working with CDMO partners and communicate AstraZeneca expectations for technical quality and documentation standards clearly and effectively

• Evaluate the technical performance of CDMO partnersand provide clear constructive feedback while contributing to continuous improvement in knowledge capture and reuse from outsourced activities

• Provide technical input into proposal review and CDMO partner selectionfor development and manufacture activities

• Support broader outsourcing operations as required includingproposal submissions quote receipt and review and management of time and budget forecasts versus actuals

Essential requirements

• PhD in Organic Chemistry or a closely related discipline at least 2 years relevant industrial experience (or equivalent such as aBSc plus at least 7 years relevant industrial experience)

• Strong knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry supported by substantial practical laboratory experience

• Understanding of process chemistry principles and practice including consideration of route robustness scalability safety and manufacturability

• Ability to define clear scientific objectives work packages milestones and success criteria for outsourced activities ensuring delivery against programme needs

• Strong ability to review interpret and challenge experimental data including synthetic routes compound quality analytical data reproducibility and technical conclusions

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders across internal and external interfaces while maintaining focus on timelines quality and scientific objectives

• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both internally and externally

• Understanding of intellectual property confidentiality and external collaboration requirements with appropriate handling of sensitive scientific information

• Ability to identify assess and mitigate scientific and operational risks associated with outsourced chemistry programmes

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail with the ability to maintain oversight of activities documentation decisions and follow-up actions

• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with the ability to establish effective partnerships with external providers and internal stakeholders

Desirable requirements for the role:

• Experience of transfer of chemical processes to third party organizations

• A track record of project leadership and delivery

• The ability to successfully lead improvement projects

• Experience of working in the early chemical development space (Preclinical)

• Previous experience of working with India or China-based organizations

Work policy:
When we put people 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 challenge perceptions. Thats why we work on average a minimum of three days per week from the office. This role is located in Gothenburg Sweden and is not available for remote work or with travel or commuting support.

Why AstraZeneca

At AstraZeneca we follow the science to explore and innovate. We are committed to treating preventing modifying and even curing some of the worlds most complex diseases. Our team is driven by our desire to understand and reveal new insights. We are always learning from those living with diseases and harnessing digital data science & AI to fast-forward our research. Join us as we push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.

Whats next
If this sounds like the place and role for you apply today!
We look forward to getting to know you better! Welcome with your application including your CV and a Cover Letter which presents your key areas of strength and why you should be considered for the role no later than May 17 2026.

Date Posted

Closing Date