Senior Scientist, Delivery; Lipid​/Polymer Chemist

Senior Scientist, Delivery (Lipid/Polymer) Chemist

Are you ready to design next-generation lipids that unlock the full potential of nucleic acid therapeutics? As a Senior Scientist focused on delivery chemistry, you will shape how new modalities move from concept to clinic, directly influencing therapies that could transform patient outcomes.

Based at the Kendal Square site, you will join a dynamic team driving rapid discovery and development across multiple therapy areas. You will thrive in a fast-moving environment with many unknowns, working across disciplines to translate bold ideas into tangible results. Can you see yourself turning inventive synthesis into robust formulations that perform in real biological systems?

Accountabilities

• Lipid Synthesis:
  Design and synthesize novel lipids for lipid nanoparticle platforms, delivering high-quality compounds with clear structure–function hypotheses that advance program decisions.
• Data Generation and Analysis:
  Plan, generate, and interpret data on lipids and LNPs using fit-for-purpose technologies; convert complex datasets into clear recommendations that move projects forward.
• Subject Matter Expertise:
  Serve as the primary delivery chemist and formulation expert for nucleic acid therapeutics, guiding teams with evidence-based insights and strategic options.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner closely with colleagues across sites in Sweden and the UK to integrate chemistry, formulation, and biology, accelerating learning cycles and program milestones.
• Scientific Communication:
  Present findings at internal forums and, when appropriate, at external conferences; influence decisions through crisp storytelling grounded in rigorous data.
• Quality and Compliance:
  Maintain reliable documentation and reproducible workflows aligned with regulated environments, ensuring traceability and consistency across experiments.
• Innovation and Acceleration:
  Explore new excipients, chemistries, and scalable routes; where relevant, leverage automation and computational design to build smarter lipid libraries and shorten iteration time.
• Impact Progression:
  Deliver immediate synthesis and characterization contributions, then expand impact by shaping delivery strategies across multiple programs and stages.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Academic
  
  Qualifications:
  
  PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Professional
  
  Experience:
  
  0+ years of post-graduation experience within a pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment.
• Synthetic Strategy:
  Demonstrated ability to design and optimize synthetic routes and approaches for lipids and/or polymers.
• Analytical Proficiency:
  Strong hands-on experience with the analytical and physicochemical characterization of novel materials (e.g., NMR, LC/MS, LC/CAD, particle sizing, and various separation technologies).
• Scientific Track Record:
  Proven history of scientific excellence evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, and/or conference presentations.
• Modality Knowledge:
  Strong foundational understanding of new therapeutic modalities, such as oligonucleotides, RNA, DNA, peptides, and proteins.
• Communication:
  Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively share complex scientific insights across diverse teams.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Delivery Technologies:
  Deep knowledge of novel drug delivery systems, specifically including lipid-based formulations, nanoparticles, and microspheres.
• Formulation
  
  Experience:
  
  Practical hands-on experience formulating new modalities (e.g., oligonucleotides, RNA, DNA, peptides, proteins).
• Chromatography:
  Experience utilizing Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) is considered a plus.
• Advanced Chemistry:
  Familiarity with novel excipient chemistry and bio-conjugation techniques.
• AI and automation: lipid library design and synthesis.

Why Astra Zeneca

Here, bold science meets real impact. You will work in an environment that embraces ambiguity and pace, where experimentation is encouraged and calculated risks help move medicines to patients faster. Expect unexpected teams in the same room unleashing bold thinking,…