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 world’s most serious diseases. Butwe’remore than a global leading pharma company. At AstraZeneca,we'rededicated 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 devicesrequiredto 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 oral,inhaledand 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 parenteral,inhaledand oralplatforms.Your role will be pivotal at the interface of raw materials, drug product processes, andin-vivoperformance,supporting drug projects from clinical through commercial phases. You will partner closely with formulators, process engineers, analysts, and external collaborators to advanceprojectsfrom late‑stage 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 strategy,robustnessand 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 variability,drug substance-excipientinteractionsand stability. 

• Design and conduct lab-basedexperimentalactivitiesto assess materials risks,probe substance–excipientinteractions,deliverrobust 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 substance–drug product interface to integraterisk-basedmaterialsstrategies into product designto driveinnovation,robustnessandregulatory readiness.

• Developappropriate methodsto support formulation development, and perform phaseappropriate validationasrequired,in 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 with a 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, morphology,imagingandpowderflow properties).

• Advanced practicalexpertisein characterization methods such as powderrheometry(RST, FT4), particle size by laser diffraction or dynamic light scattering,pycnometry, 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 as,Continuous Direct Compression, Roller Compaction,Wet 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-informatics for 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 medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace, and challengeperceptions.That’swhy we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. We 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!