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 world’s 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 you’ll 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 accountabilities will include: 

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

• Define the technical scope of outsourced activities, including route and/or process design, development, and manufacture, and lead effective technical transfer to CDMO partners

• Curate and author manufacturing route and process documentation in line with the AstraZeneca Knowledge Management Framework, ensuring effective knowledge transfer within AstraZeneca and across external partners

• Oversee and monitor progress of outsourced work against agreed technical objectives, timelines, and deliverables

• Provide technical troubleshooting and scientific guidance to address day-to-day chemistry challenges encountered by CDMO scientists 

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

• Ensure the quality, completeness, and compliance of documentation received from CDMO 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 partners and 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 selection for development and manufacture activities 

• Support broader outsourcing operations as required, including proposal 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 a BSc 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 medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's 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 world's 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. 

What’s 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

08-maj-2026

Closing Date

17-maj-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.