Early careers at AstraZeneca

Pharmaceutical Technology & Development 12-month Industrial Placements

Applications for our 2026 placements will open on 1st September 2025.

At AstraZeneca, we’ve long been advocates of industrial placement training. You'll follow your curiosity and strengthen your skills with projects tailored to you, your interests and future ambitions –helping you to be an outstanding candidate no matter which path you pursue.

You’ll get to work as part of a team, immersed in a world of practical, laboratory-based science. Working on cutting-edge drug development projects you will feel trusted and empowered to take on new challenges, but with all the help and guidance you need to succeed.

About the programme

The Pharmaceutical Technology & Development 12-month Industrial Placement introduces you to the world of ground-breaking drug development, embedding you in highly dedicated teams committed to delivering impactful new medicines to patients. You’ll get to do meaningful work in a cutting-edge research and development driven organisation. As well as developing the skills, knowledge and connections that will set you up for success you will be among curious, passionate and open-minded people eager to learn, follow the science, and grow as professionals in a truly collaborative and global team.

What you can expect

We offer 12-month placements at our Macclesfield, Cambridge & Liverpool campuses, in distinct but parallel schemes; Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Data Science, Computational Chemistry, Process Engineering and Quality. 

Within Computational Chemistry you will:

Within Data Science you will:

• You will be responsible for delivering technical solutions to support scientists to effectively manage, mine and exploit data using digital technologies. 
• You will be responsible for developing data analytics to deliver real business insights.
• You will be working across a range of disciplines including chemistry, engineering, analytical and several specialist areas so clear communication and presentation skills are key to the role.  
• Coding is an essential element of the role and so proficiency in languages such as python, R, MATLAB etc is highly desirable. 

Within Synthetic Organic Chemistry you will:

• Join one of our project teams working with world class scientists to develop chemical processes for synthesising new medicines. Your work would support the progression of new treatments to help patients.
• Have the opportunity to learn about and perform a variety of organic synthesis, purification, reaction monitoring, scale up and automation techniques.
• Spend 80-90% of your time carrying out practical synthetic chemistry and gaining experience of process development. There may also be opportunities in the areas of parallel synthesis, catalysis and physical organic chemistry.
• Have opportunities to present your work within project teams and more widely across the department to develop transferrable skills.

Within Analytical Chemistry you will:

• Join one of our project teams working with world class scientists to deliver new medicines to patients.
• Have the opportunity to learn about analytical techniques in-depth, develop your investigative skills and lead your own 10-week analytical chemistry-based project.
• Spend the majority of your placement carrying out practical analytical chemistry, and be exposed to a wide range of diverse analytical techniques.
• Develop a range of transferable attributes including communication and presentation skills.

Within Process Engineering you will:

• Join one of our project teams working with world class engineers to deliver new medicines to patients.
• Have the opportunity to learn about the application of risk assessments, scale-up and process transfer to the pharmaceutical industry.
• Support development of drug substance or drug product manufacturing processes, and be exposed to a wide range of manufacturing processes and scales.
• Develop a range of transferable attributes including communication and presentation skills.

As a Quality Associate you will:

• Support all Quality activities that are directly related to the Quality Management of Suppliers. This includes, but is not limited to, the Quality System oversight and/or performance of change management, quality issue management, Quality Agreements (establishment and maintenance) between AZ and External Suppliers and between EQ and AZ Operations Sites.
• Provide support to the Quality Professionals involved in Quality Supplier and Product Supply Chain Management, including Annual Assessments, Quality Agreements, trending and reporting of data, assessing, reviewing and improving quality systems at Suppliers, attendance at Quality Review Meetings.

As a Lean Digital Specialist you will:

• Collaborating with operational and technical teams to capture requirements and translate them into effective digital solutions
•  Analysing operational and process data to identify improvement opportunities using AI/analytics tools
• Assisting in the deployment, and testing of digital platforms and solutions to automate and optimise processes
• Supporting the embedding of lean standards and ways of working across teams and projects
• Support workshops and training sessions to drive a culture of continuous improvement and digital adoption
• Measuring and reporting the impact of projects, ensuring sustainability and ongoing benefits
• Working in compliance with data governance, privacy, and regulatory policies

As a Data Analyst Specialist you will:

• Be actively involved in core aspects of our data analysis work, collaborating with experienced analysts and engineers to learn and contribute as part of a supportive team
• Work closely with business users and technical teams to capture and clarify their data requirements
• Profile data sets and examine their source, structure, and quality, and learn how we ensure that our data is reliable and compliant with relevant standards
• Support the engineering teams by helping test how well our data solutions work and participate in designing and checking data models that underpin vital analytics projects
• Work directly with experienced data analysts, engineers, scientists, and IT professionals across various teams

Who can apply?

Join our Undergraduate Programme and be part of making a difference, making connections, and gaining the tools and experience to open doors and fulfil your potential. In all of our programmes we look for individuals who have drive, enthusiasm, strong team working skills and a desire to learn. Please see individual job advertisements for specific educational requirements.

Computational Chemistry

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree with the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2026
• Should have completed the first/second year of their degree and be starting the second/third year of study.

Apply here: 12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Computational Chemistry

Data Scientists

• Undergraduate applicants should be studying for a numerate degree including: Maths, Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or a Chemistry, Engineering or Physics degree involving formal training and practice in data manipulation and coding
• Should have completed the first/second year of their degree and be starting the second/third year of study
• Knowledge of chemistry (especially Organic) not necessary, but useful
• Coding experience essential, Python advantageous.

Apply here: 12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Data Science - Pharmaceutical Technology & Development

Synthetic Organic Chemistry

• Undergraduate applicants should be studying for a Chemistry-based BSc / MChem / MSci or equivalent degree
• Should have completed the first/second year of their degree and be starting the second/third year of study.

Apply here: 12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Synthetic - Organic Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry

• Undergraduate applicants should be studying for a Chemistry-based BSc / MChem / MSci or equivalent degree
• Should have completed the first/second year of their degree, and be starting the second/third year of study.

Apply here: 12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Analytical Chemistry

Process Engineering

• Undergraduate applicants should be studying for a Bio/Chemical Engineering  BEng /MEng degree
• Should have completed the first/second year of your degree, and be starting the second/third year of study.

Apply here: 12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Process Engineering