Thesis work, 30 credits - Enhancing Reliability-Centered Maintenance in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Are you interested in optimizing maintenance strategies within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector? Do you want to contribute to enhancing equipment reliability and compliance? We are seeking two students to undertake this master's thesis with us this fall.

About AstraZeneca: 

AstraZeneca's manufacturing facility in Södertälje, known as Sweden Operations (SweOps), is the company’s largest production center, responsible for 40% of AstraZeneca’s total global output. Producing approximately 11–12 billion doses of medication annually, SweOps plays a crucial role in Sweden’s economy, accounting for about 5% of the country's total annual exports. In this regulated industry, safety, health, environment (SHE), product quality, and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are fundamental.   

About the Opportunity: 

As a Thesis Worker at AstraZeneca, you’ll find an environment that’s full of unique opportunities and exciting challenges. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your areas of interest whilst equally developing a broad skillset and knowledge base to get the best out of your experience. You’ll be working on meaningful projects to make an impact and deliver real value for our patients and our business. 

Thesis work description:  

This thesis project will explore the implementation of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) within pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, specifically focusing on manufacturing equipment and production lines. By assessing the effectiveness of RCM in enhancing equipment performance, reducing costs, and ensuring regulatory compliance, this research aims to significantly contribute to AstraZeneca’s Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy. 

Key Objectives: 

• Analyze Current RCM Implementation - Investigate the challenges and limitations faced in the current implementation of RCM at SweOps. 
• Evaluate RCM Principles and Framework - Assess the principles and framework of RCM as they apply to manufacturing equipment and production lines in the context of pharmaceutical manufacturing. 
• Develop an RCM-Based Maintenance Model - Create a tailored RCM-based maintenance model suited for the target manufacturing systems at SweOps, informed by the analysis and research conducted. 

Structure: 

• Duration: Fall term 2025  
• Start date: Adapted after the course 
• Scope: 30 hp/credits / conducted by two students 

Essential Requirements: 

• Ongoing master’s studies within Production engineering, Medical Engineering, Data Engineering or related fields. 

So, what’s next?  

Apply today and take the chance to be part of making a difference, making connections, and gaining the tools and experience to open doors and fulfil your potential. We can´t wait to hear from you!  

We welcome your application as soon as possible, but ahead of the scheduled closing date 27th April 2025. In the event that we identify suitable candidates ahead of the scheduled closing date, we reserve the right to withdraw the vacancy earlier than published.  

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.