Thesis work: Analytical chemistry, AstraZeneca

Job description
Study on forced oxidation of compounds containing secondary amine in ACVA solution with deuterated solvents

Do you want to study and explore the chemistry behind pharmaceutical impurities in the company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be of interest to you!

The thesis is aimed for: Master
Program area:  Medicinal Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry
Student Location: AstraZeneca Gothenburg, Sweden
Supervisor: Dr. Jufang Wu Ludvigsson and Professor Per-Ola Norrby

Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for a Master’s student to study the degradation mechanism of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) containing secondary amine functional group. This opportunity will let you learn how to plan experiments to understand reaction mechanism behind pharmaceutical products degradation and the essential analytical techniques applied in pharmaceutical industry.

Background
A Strecker reaction was observed in some forced oxidation degradation of certain APIs and the source of formaldehyde was  assumed from the oxidation of the solvent methanol via radical abstraction. Understanding the mechanism of the degradant formation and whether it is only formed during forced oxidation is important for many drug substances containing the secondary amine function group.  Further study is needed to confirm or object the assumption. Model compounds such as piperidine and duloxetine will be used to study the degradation pathway with experimental design using deuterated solvents and UPLC-HRMS.

Responsibilities
Responsibility
Literature research
Oxidation degradation in both deuterated and non-deuterated solvents
 Separation and characterization of degradants


Qualifications
Qualifications
Basic understanding of solid state chemistry and its related techniques


Preferred experience or requirement
Medicinal chemistry/Organic chemistry and analytical chemistry course—advanced level
Final year in the master program


Application
Randstad Life Sciences is cooperating with AstraZeneca in this recruitment process. We only handle applications sent through Randstad’s website.

All chosen candidates need to pass a background check and an alcohol and drug test before starting the project.

Deadline for application: 2021-12-05

For more information: Veronika Knudsen veronika.knudsen@randstad.se or Kerstin Karlsson kerstin.karlsson@randstad.se

About the company
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. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

Our Gothenburg site is one of AstraZeneca's three strategic science centers. We thrive in a multinational environment working cross-functionally across the globe with AstraZeneca colleagues as well as academic and industry partners. Our way of life is to foster a working environment that nurtures collaboration, openness and innovation. Therefore, we have created space for meetings, socializing and relaxation, where spontaneous meetings can give birth to new innovations. The unexpected ideas or thoughts that can come from a chat over something as simple as a cup of  coffee or a stroll on our “walk and talk” meeting trail. AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.