Senior Scientist - Crystallography/Solid State

At AstraZeneca we turn ideas into life changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality.

Pharmaceutical Sciences at AstraZeneca deliver the therapies of the future through scientific leadership in drug delivery, design of synthetic routes, and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) across all the AstraZeneca therapy areas. Our vision is to be "pharmaceutical science leaders, creating innovative and cost-effective solutions, shaping the diverse therapies of the future".

We're looking for dedicated and motivated crystallographers/solid-state scientists to join our solid state characterization team within Early Product Development and Manufacturing (EPDM) in Gothenburg.

You would join a highly collaborative team and help us deliver the solid-state science to product development within the early portfolio from discovery up to phase II.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work in a highly science driven environment using industry leading tools and instrumentation. You will become a core member of the global Solid-state skill area which is responsible for ensuring suitable physical form screening, selection and control within drug substance and product. You will get the opportunity to apply your excellent crystallography and solid-state expertise to the drug projects you are working in, contributing to the progression of these projects and drive the scientific development within the field of solid-state science at AstraZeneca.

To be successful in this role you we see that you have a strong scientific background with good skills in written and verbal communication and the ability to engage and collaborate across boundaries with a positive problem-solving attitude and delivery focus.

What you'll do

The role holder will provide expertise in small molecule X-ray diffraction to allow identification, characterization and selection of crystal forms and plan and conduct lab-based experimental work in accordance with project timelines. You are expected to drive and lead science personally and within the department, manage external collaborations and publish novel work in peer reviewed journals.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

* Solving small molecule crystal structure through single crystal X-ray diffraction to underwrite solid form selection. This includes ability to resolve complex crystal structures such as highly disordered, twin and modulated structures.
* Maintaining and fostering development of software for visualization and modelling of crystal structures including structural informatics and database.
* Applying structural knowledge to enhance solid form selection and particle engineering in collaboration with internal and external experts.
* Working with external facilities such as synchrotron, microED (single crystal electron diffraction), single crystal diffraction service equipped with rotating anode source for small molecule X-ray crystallography.
* Responsibility for ensuring suitable physical form screening, characterisation, form selection and control within drug substance and product.
* Driving solid state skill area in projects and work closely with analytical, formulation, and biopharmaceutics scientists to drive science and innovation.

Essential requirements:

* PhD or equivalent experience in chemical crystallography with proven ability in small organic compounds.
* Knowledge of general solid-state chemistry, physical chemistry or related subject area.
* In-depth knowledge and experience in obtaining, solving and refining crystal structures from single crystal X-ray diffraction including ability to operate different crystallographic interfaces such as CrysAllis Pro, Shelx (e, s, t, le) and Olex2.
* Knowledge about solving crystal structures from powder will be advantageous.
* In depth understanding of how the physicochemical and solid-state properties of a drug, effect the drug product development, e.g. material science and manufacturing processes is advantageous.
* Experience in the screening and characterisation of solids (e.g. X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, microscopic techniques, moisture sorption etc.), a good awareness of analytical methodology and an enthusiasm for laboratory-based work.

We believe you have experience/knowledge or a keen interest in the field of simulation or predictive science and a good understanding of the principles and concepts of crystallisation. We see that you are a driven experimentalist, with a passion to deliver highly relevant knowledge to those around you.

Desirable skills and capabilities:

* Creativity and innovation, built on sound technical knowledge and problem-solving skills are required in order to deliver robust physical forms which meet the needs of the patient.
* Assess, review and report data from own work, with a clear understanding of its reliability and interpret findings and draws authoritative conclusions and recommendations so that their significance can be appreciated. Present information for discussion in multi-disciplinary project teams.
* Work as a member of cross-functional teams, with a large degree of independence representing own department or area of expertise.
* You will have the ability to work flexibly, adapt to changing priorities, knowing when to deep dive into a problem and when to stop. You will have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
* Ability to drive and lead science personally and within the department and manage external collaborations.
* Global mindset and ability to work across multiple geographical locations.
* Excellent communication, team working, networking and leadership skills & ability to lead and inspire colleagues.



So, what's next? We welcome your application no later than 16th December, 2023.