Synthetic Chemist (Senior Research Scientist)

Job Title: Synthetic Chemist (Senior Research Scientist)

Location: Cambridge, UK

Introduction to role:
Are you ready to push the boundaries of synthetic chemistry to help transform how cancer is treated? Do you want to see your ideas move from bench to candidate selection and ultimately reach patients who need new options most?

At AstraZeneca, innovation is more than just research. As one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, we’re passionate about providing innovative, effective medicines that make a real difference in important areas of healthcare. We’re investing in a state-of-the-art research centre and corporate headquarters at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and we seek to bring together the finest talent in business and academia. Join us, and you’ll be part of a brand-new vision for a critical industry, making an outstanding difference world-wide. 

About the role:

As part of this exciting journey we are seeking a hardworking chemist to join us in Cambridge on a permanent basis, with an outstanding team who are working to discover, develop and deliver the right drugs to the right people, in order to make a life changing difference to patient survival.  

You will help us explore the amazing things which science can do, working on projects from Lead Optimisation through to candidate selection. As part of the Medicinal Chemistry Discovery Process group you will be responsible for conceiving and implementing innovative synthetic strategies while using your personal lab delivery expertise to help solve complex chemistry problems to deliver the next generation of Oncology medicines.   

Essential Skills/Experience:

• A degree or Ph.D. in a chemistry-related discipline. 

• Practical experience of synthetic chemistry delivery with an awareness of scale up and route development to deliver multi gram quantities of intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.  

• Expert knowledge of contemporary synthetic organic chemistry and ability to deliver innovative solutions to projects. 

• Propose experimental strategies, troubleshoot laboratory-based problems and make a positive contribution to the practical delivery to drive project progress. 

• Effective levels of communication and scientific drive. 

• Excellent team-working skills and ability to deliver to agreed timelines. 

• A detailed understanding of the chemical sciences and how they influence drug discovery and the ability to represent chemistry in a cross-disciplinary project team. 

• Maintain access to the best internal & external science. 

Desirable Skills/Experience:

• Experience of working with external partners. 

• Experience working at the interface between Medicinal Chemistry and Process Chemistry. 

• Experience of contemporary modern synthetic technologies and techniques such as high throughput experimentation, flow chemistry, modern scale up and crystallization technologies and biocatalysis. Good understanding of process safety. 

Why AstraZeneca:
Join a team where bold science meets practical delivery, and where chemists sit shoulder-to-shoulder with data scientists, clinicians, and biologists to fast-track ideas into medicines. We work at the leading edge with a deep oncology pipeline, rich data, and the freedom to experiment—bringing unexpected teams into the same room to unleash bold thinking. Here, ambition is matched with trust and support; we value kindness alongside drive, and we learn quickly from evidence to make decisive moves for patients. Your chemistry will not sit on a shelf—it will shape real treatment possibilities and contribute to a mission focused on changing outcomes in cancer.

If you are ready to turn inventive chemistry into medicines that matter, step into this Cambridge-based role and help create the next generation of oncology treatments today!

Date Posted

13-Mar-2026

Closing Date

26-Mar-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.