Early careers at AstraZeneca

Pharmaceutical Technology & Development 12-month Industrial Placements

Applications for our 2024 Pharmaceutical Technology and Development University Industrial Placement Studentships (UIPS) programmes are OPEN. 

Applications close on 9th October 2023.

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 five distinct but parallel schemes; Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Data Science, Computational Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Within Computational Structural Biology you will:

Apply Here: Computational Structural Biology R-179134

Within Data Science you will:

• Join a multi-disciplinary community of specialists working in our world class Pharmaceutical Technology and Development function to develop our ways of working of tomorrow
• Conduct hands-on data mining/machine learning projects based on specific datasets and customer problems
• Be responsible for developing and piloting analytical tools, algorithms and methods
• Constructively collaborate with a diverse range of analytical, computational and scientific colleagues
• Develop a range of transferable attributes including communication and presentation skills.

Apply Here: Data Science PT&D R-179140

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.

Apply Here: Synthetic Organic Chemistry R-179106

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.

Apply Here: Analytical Chemistry R-179137

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.

Apply Here: Process Engineering R-179151

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. Specific requirements for each programme are listed below.

Computational Structural Biology

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree with the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2024

• Should have completed the first/second year of their degree and be starting the second/third year of study
• Be performing at a high level, equivalent to achieving a 1st or 2.1 class degree.

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
• Be performing at a high level (equivalent to achieving a 1st or 2.1 class degree)
• Knowledge of chemistry (especially Organic) not necessary, but useful
• Coding experience essential, Python advantageous.

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
• Be performing at a high level, equivalent to achieving a 1st or 2.1 class degree.

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
• Be performing at a high level, equivalent to achieving a 1st or 2.1 class degree.

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
• Be performing at a high level (equivalent to achieving a 1st or 2.1 class degree).