Thesis work: lean stability during drug development

Job description
Stability risk management: early preparation for lean stability during drug development
Thesis project: 30 credits

Do you have expertise in, and a passion for analytical chemistry and automation? Would you like to apply your knowledge to impact efficient stability screens at a company that follows the science and turning ideas into life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be of interest to you!

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.

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a department within AstraZeneca Biopharmaceutical R&D. The Pharmaceutical Sciences’ mission is to transform molecules into investigational medicines, meeting the unmet needs of future patients. Advanced Drug Delivery (ADD) is a department in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Our portfolio of projects spans traditional small molecules, proteins, oligonucleotides to RNA based therapeutics across AstraZeneca’s therapy areas and our mission is to transform diverse modalities into investigational medicines. 



Responsibilities
Project & Learning opportunities
Stability is one of the key properties to consider during drug development. An instable compound series can significantly impact early discovery phase decisions, where stable compounds are needed for robust data generation. Implications of instabilities later during development may lead to mitigations, such as limited storage conditions and/or limited options for formulation design. Suitable stability programs need to be designed for each development project aiming for a lean stability program.

This project will aim to setup and implement suitable and efficient screens to be used in an automated setup. Initial focus will be on hydrolytic instabilities, followed by similar setups to investigate, evaluate and implement oxidative and photolytic protocols for a preselected set of compounds. You will be using advanced analytical instrumentation including UHPLC with UV and MS detection. In addition, you will learn about automation of liquid handling and setup semi-automated workflows. This proposed workpackage links to the automation analytical strategy developed in Pharmaceutical Science and will be of importance for future workflows and compound design.

From this project you will gain experiences in:
Separation science using advanced instrumentation
UHPLC (Ultra High Liquid Chromatography)
Cross-functional collaboration
Insight in Pharmaceutical Sciences and AstraZeneca 


Qualifications
Essential Requirements 
 Main field of studies: Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry
 Knowledge within the field of separation sciences
 Collaborative skills
 Fluent proficiency in spoken and written English


Desirable Requirements 
 Previous hands-on experiences with UHPLC analysis 
 Previous hands-on experience in mass spectroscopy
 Hands-on experience using liquid handling systems
 Understanding of chemical rections


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

Deadline for application: 2020-03-31, selection and interviews will be ongoing. The position may be filled before the last day of application, therefore, apply as soon as possible.

For more information: Kerstin Karlsson kerstin.karlsson@randstad.se or Eleonor Ehrman +4673-343 41 09.

About the company
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.