Role: Process Engineer (SMMIP)
Role Type: Temporary – 12 Months
Location: Macclesfield – 100% on-site role
Are you passionate about deploying novel manufacturing technologies that can transform how we develop and supply investigational, life‑changing medicines? Do you want to apply your chemical engineering and process development expertise to install and de‑risk a new continuous platform while reducing environmental footprint and accelerating development? Join Pharmaceutical Sciences at AstraZeneca and help unlock the power of what science can do.
Your New Role:
This contract will lead a work package within the SMMIP (Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme) grant, to assess and operationalise a novel Taylor-Couette reactor platform at AZ Macclesfield. The aspiration for this role is to support the bridge of laboratory proof of concept and GMP adjacent deployment, enabling earlier adoption of continuous processing (pre-clinical to Phase 1/2) and improved control of physical attributes for intermediates and API's. The role could blend some of the following aspects as part of a cross functional team: Hands on process development in GLP lab settings with end-to-end design, commissioning and integration of a kilo lab rig, building the business case and knowledge base for broader adoption across AZ's portfolio.
Within Pharmaceutical Sciences (Early Chemical Development, Particle & Process Engineering), you will partner with scientists across the business to demonstrate the benefits of Taylor-Couette hydrodynamics for mixing, heat and mass transfer, photon distribution for photochemistry, and solid form control (crystallisation, amorphous precipitation). You will help compress development timelines, improve right first-time outcomes and reduce waste, supporting AZ's 2030 sustainability ambitions.
Sustainability and speed are central to this work. The Taylor-Couette reactor offers enhanced and tuneable hydrodynamics that can unlock previously inaccessible chemistry, enable robust continuous operations from and early phase, and tighten control over crystallisation and particle attributes. This role will generate using a lab scale proof of concept, the technical and economic justification for scale up, and drive specification, commissioning and installation of a kilo lab system into the Macclesfield facility to support pre-clinical and Phase 1 supply (and potentially beyond).
What You’ll Do:
Experimental development (GLP lab)
* Work in a cross functional team to influence the design and the execution of lab studies to increase understanding and establish proof of concept for, in the first instance, precipitation and crystallisation processes for the identified novel manufacturing technology.
* Develop continuous processes from batch routes, including residence time distribution, mass/heat transfer characterisation, and mixing regime mapping
* Generate DoE backed datasets to quantify performance vs. conventional reactors (yield, selectivity, impurity control, productivity, Efactor, solvent/energy use).
Technology definition and business case
* Translate lab findings into user requirements and functional specifications; define critical design parameters and control strategies.
Design, commissioning and installation (kilo‑lab/GMP‑adjacent)
* Lead FAT/SAT planning with the vendor; coordinate utilities, skids, and facility interfaces; oversee installation into the Macclesfield kilo‑lab with future GMP compatibility in mind.
* Develop commissioning protocols, IQ/OQ documentation inputs, and acceptance criteria; support PQ readiness for pre‑clinical and Phase 1 campaigns.
* Define safety envelopes and perform hazard identification (HAZID/HAZOP support), including photochemical and pressurised operations where applicable.
Ways of working, knowledge and tech transfer
* Establish standard methods, SOPs and training materials for safe, efficient operation; mentor users and hand over to receiving teams.
* Document learnings to guide route selection, scaleup and tech transfer; present progress and recommendations to governance and senior stakeholders.
* Champion sustainability metrics and continuous improvement to reduce solvent/energy usage, lower waste and improve E‑factor and carbon footprint.
Essential Skills
* Meng Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.
* Prior involvement in commissioning in GMP adjacent or kilo lab environments, including IQ/OQ/PQ contributions and vendor management.
* Hands on experience translating lab scale studies into engineered specifications and participating in equipment selection, installation and commissioning.
* Strong understanding of fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, and residence time distribution; ability to design and interpret DoE experiments.
* Experience working in regulated laboratory environments (e.g., GLP aligned), with strong safety mindset and familiarity with risk assessments and HAZOP support.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and present complex data to cross functional teams and senior management; proactive and self-directed.
Desirable Requirements
* Experience with Taylor–Couette or other intensified/hydrodynamic reactors (e.g., spinning disc, vortex, rotor‑stator, microreactors) and/or photochemical reactors.
* Background in crystallisation/particle engineering, including control of PSD, morphology, polymorphism and amorphous precipitation in flow.
Reasons to Apply
* Lead the deployment of a novel reactor platform with clear line of sight to clinical impact, enabling earlier continuous processing and enhanced solid form control.
* Operate at the interface of cutting edge lab science and real-world manufacturing by delivering both proof of concept and an installed, commissioned rig.
* Contribute directly to sustainability goals by lowering solvent and energy usage, waste and E factor while improving yield, robustness and speed to clinic.
* Work within an industry leading team in Particle & Process Engineering and collaborate across the business, with opportunities to publish and present.
WHY ASTRAZENECA?
It's an exciting time to join AstraZeneca, a global business that's rapidly growing - there's a lot happening and even more to come. And we are a valued part of this journey. Respected partners across the business, we provide the platform that's going to power us to achieve more.
So, what's next?
Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it's yours. Please apply with a copy of your CV.