Meet our PT&D Graduates

Hi, my name is Ella, and I work at AstraZeneca. I first started in 2021 on the PT&D Global Graduate Programme; following this I moved to a permanent role as a Process Engineer in 2023.

I am from the UK and have a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bath. As part of my degree, I completed a year in industry working as an Environmental Engineer on a large chemical manufacturing site. This was a valuable experience as I worked in a small team, collaborating with many others across the site. It was also a fantastic opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge I had learnt through my degree in a practical situation. 

Following my degree, I was keen to work in a field where I would be able to influence positive change; the pharmaceutical industry seemed ideal for this. AstraZeneca has a great reputation for being patient-led. I also wanted to work in a role where I could learn more about the wide range of opportunities available to a chemical engineering graduate, so I applied to the PT&D Global Graduate Programme. 

I spent my first placement on the Graduate Programme working as a Solid State Specialist in Oral Product Development. As part of this role, I looked at how we modelled our drug substances, and whether this could be improved to better reflect the real-life conditions that these crystals exist under. This was critical in increasing our understanding of drug stability. I was given the freedom to drive the direction that my project progressed in, and I was trained in a wide range of software packages to help facilitate the modelling aspects of the project. 

I followed this up with a placement on the Pilot Plant at the Macclesfield site, which is used for clinical and commercial drug substance manufactures. This involved two months working on shift with a knowledgeable team of operators where I was able to learn about the practical elements of running a manufacturing plant. This was hugely valuable from a professional development perspective and was also very enjoyable. I spent the remainder of my placement working on safety- and sustainability-focussed improvement projects, which enabled me to enact real change on plant.  

My final placement was spent as a Process Engineer in Chemical Development. As part of this role, I modelled mixing in a reaction vessel and investigated the scale-up risks of a drug substance manufacturing process. This rounded out my engineering knowledge by giving me experience in developing a process to run at manufacture. I worked within a large team but was still able to make my mark on the project. I enjoyed my experience so much that following the end of my placement, I returned for a permanent role in the department! 

Whilst on the PT&D Global Graduate Programme, I was able to get involved in many different activities, from co-organising the first Graduate Research Forum in Cambridge, to leading preparations for the 2023 Macclesfield Charity Run, which raised over £1000. These experiences have made me a more rounded colleague and allowed me to help make AstraZeneca a Great Place To Work. 

The PT&D Global Graduate Programme is a fantastic way to learn about the wider business at AstraZeneca and allows you to find the area where you can make the most impact. This is the perfect role for you if you are a great team player, have a thirst for knowledge, and enjoy a challenge. 

Hello, I'm Ioannis and I am currently a Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca, having begun my journey through the PT&D Graduate Programme.  

Originally from Greece and coming from a pharmaceutical science background (Degree in Pharmacy and MSc in Pharmaceutical Technology), I was drawn to AstraZeneca's innovative approach in pharmaceutical development, which led me to apply and subsequently join the programme in 2022. It was a unique opportunity to explore various skill areas within pharmaceutical development in an industrial environment, while gaining new soft and hard skills. 

My journey through the PT&D Graduate Programme offered me invaluable exposure to diverse facets of pharmaceutical sciences. My first placement was in Advanced Drug Delivery in Gothenburg, where I delved into the formulation of Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs) for mRNA delivery using cutting-edge technologies. This experience honed my technical skills in liquid formulation and analysis, as I developed and optimized assays to assess Cationic Ionizable Lipids. Working alongside experts, I truly appreciated the collaborative spirit at AstraZeneca, which reinforced my decision to pursue a career here. 

For my second placement, I joined the Oral Product Development department, where I supported the Materials Team for a drug project in late-stage development phase. This role involved both technical characterization of API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) batches from a material science perspective and project management of outsourced work packages, while I participated in critical project meetings and became familiar with the drug product development process. This experience further expanded my skillset, particularly in managing complex projects and collaborating across departments, but also provided me the opportunity to dive into advanced data analysis and programming. 

In my final placement, I transitioned to the Biopharmaceutics team in Inhaled Product Development. Here, I supported a new technology program, exploring in vitro-in vivo correlations (IVIVC) for inhaled products. This placement was particularly exciting as it combined my scientific background with physiologically-based biopharmaceutical modelling, allowing me to contribute to innovative drug delivery solutions. The focus on digitalization and data science in modelling was a highlight, demonstrating AstraZeneca's forward-thinking approach to pharmaceutical development. 

The PT&D Graduate Programme was instrumental in securing my current position as a Senior Scientist. It provided me with not only technical expertise but also project management skills and a comprehensive understanding of AstraZeneca's innovative culture. The opportunity to work in different settings and embrace digitalization in each role has been invaluable. But most importantly, I spent two amazing years collaborating with scientists from diverse backgrounds and experiences, all while having loads of fun. During this time, I was actively involved in the early-in-career network, AZInspire, which provided a platform to connect and learn from peers across various disciplines. The vibrant environment at the AZ Gothenburg site fueled my passion for innovation and teamwork, offering countless opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects and cultural exchanges. 

For anyone considering the graduate programme, my advice is to embrace every challenge, engage with your colleagues, and immerse yourself in the learning opportunities available. If you're passionate about contributing to life-changing medicine and thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment, this programme is an excellent start to your career.