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Early careers at AstraZeneca

Process Engineering Apprenticeship

    This apprenticeship programme will not be available for 2025.

    About the programme 

    Process Technology and Development (PT&D) turns innovative drug candidates into medicines that help millions of people. We work across all aspects of our product development: designing and delivering the active ingredients, formulations and devices required to support new medicines; providing supplies used in clinical trials, and developing the technology to ensure drugs can be scaled up for commercial manufacture.

    We have a potential Science Industry Process Plant Engineer Apprenticeship role within our Oral Product Development (OPD) organisation which sits within PT&D. This role has a focus on supporting laboratory scale manufacturing activities for drug product development, both in terms of equipment ownership and operation to support project work.

    OPD is responsible for the design and development of oral solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules – our part in AstraZeneca’s mission to deliver new medicines for patients. We develop the formulation, manufacturing process and scientific knowledge required to develop new drug products. This work includes the laboratory scale experimentation, engineering aspects  and manufacturing process development which is central to this apprenticeship role. You would be working in  highly multi-disciplinary team, including engineers and pharmaceutical scientists.

    This 5-year apprenticeship offers a real alternative to full-time university, with the opportunity to study for a BEng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering.

    How we will support you

    AstraZeneca is a huge advocate of early careers and we all want you to succeed. In return for the passion and energy you will bring to the function where you will be based, we will support your apprenticeship all the way and you will be encouraged to fulfil all of your potential. You will have access to excellent development opportunities, playing a crucial role in your team, whilst being supported to network and socialise with your peers so you can see the impact of your creativity and ideas. All apprentices across our business have the support of their line manager, mentor, buddy (who is normally an existing or ex-apprentice to support you as you move into our business and your role) and the AstraZeneca early talent network.

    Where you will be based

    These roles are available at our Macclesfield Campus.

    Essential requirements

    What we're looking for:

    • Enthusiastic individuals
    • A passion to learn
    • Confidence to work independently
    • Logical thinking
    • The ability to apply a rational approach to problem solving
    • Demonstrable initiative
    • Self-motivation

    Please see individual job advertisements for specific educational requirements.

    Parents, Carers and Teachers

    For information that may be useful to parents, carers and teachers please visit this page.

    Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

    Our mission is focused on creating an inclusive and equitable environment, where people feel they belong.
    To find out more about our inclusion and diversity policy, click here.

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    Our recruitment process

    Curious to find out what happens after you apply? learn more about the process you'll go through and get some hints and tips here.

    Apprenticeship Application Roadmap

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Learn more about AstraZeneca’s Apprenticeship Programme.

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    Great culture, great work assignments, supportive management. Rotation opportunity within the company. They value inclusion and diversity.