Senior Analytical Chemist / Separation Scientist

Use your expertise in analytical chemistry and separation science to help drive the discovery of new molecules - from hands-on laboratory work to shaping the workflows that accelerate projects towards clinical development.

IntroWithin our Medicinal Chemistry department, we are looking for a Senior Analytical Chemist / Separation Scientist who enjoys combining hands-on laboratory work with leadership and continuous process improvement. In this role, you will guide a small team while helping to refine and optimize analytical and purification workflows.Working closely with chemists, analytical scientists and colleagues across the wider AstraZeneca network, you will play an important role improving the efficiency of our synthesis laboratories and advancing promising new molecules towards clinical development.Acerta Pharma is fully integrated within the AstraZeneca group and is dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapies for haematological malignancies.  Acerta Pharma will be relocating to Amsterdam, with the current move planned for early 2027. Until that time, you will be working from our facilities in Oss. After the move, you will be based at our new site in Amsterdam.  

Your challenge: As a Senior Scientist Analytical Chemistry / Separation Scientist you will support and collaborate closely with your colleagues in the chemistry labs to enhance the efficiency and quality of organic synthesis activities. You will lead a small team of analytical and separation scientists and work towards optimized workflows for the purification and analyses of new molecules, contributing to the progression of our projects towards clinical development.  What will you be doing? •    You will help guide the day-to-day activities of our analytical and purification laboratory, providing guidance and support to colleagues within a collaborative team environment. •    Most of your time you will be working in the laboratory where you will contribute to help process samples and run assays. •    You will take the initiative to optimize analytical and purification workflows and improve the efficiency of our laboratory processes. •    You will be part of the AZ ASC (Analytical, Structural, Chromatography) community and actively participate in regular AZ wide meetings where analytical and organizational / operational questions are addressed.  What do you bring? •    A completed Master’s degree (MSc) in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Separation Science or a related field, combined with at least 6 years of practical experience in analytical chemistry and separation techniques within organic chemistry.OR•    A PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Separation Science or a related field, combined with at least 3 years of practical experience in analytical chemistry and separation techniques within organic chemistry.•    Hands-on experience with UPLC/LC-MS (must have)•    Strong theoretical and practical understanding of chromatography.•    Experience with preparative chromatography, SFC and chiral separations is preferred.•    Fluent English, both written and spoken.•    A collaborative working style and good communication skills.You are:•    currently living and working in the EU. An EU passport is a strong plus due to the onboarding and permit process.•    willing to work from our offices and labs in Oss until the planned move to the Amsterdam UMC campus in early 2027.What do we offer you?•    A dynamic, innovative, international working environment, where you can be part of the development of new medicines that can make a difference to patients' lives•    The opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and modern analytical techniques •    Competitive salary and secondary benefits including 8% holiday allowance, 27 holidays on a full-time basis. Additional: office closure between X-mas and New Year + Good Friday + day after Ascencion day. •    Collective pension with a fixed percentage personal contribution•    Bonus scheme•    Vitality of our colleagues is important to us, which is why you can exercise at a discount or make use of our bicycle plan.•    Support for potential extra travelling costs during the transition period when working at the Oss site.  About AstraZeneca Oncology R&D, Amsterdam  At AstraZeneca Amsterdam, we bring together two research groups, in haemato-oncology and next-generation cell therapy research. Together, they form our Oncology R&D hub in the Netherlands, working closely with colleagues in the US, Canada, Spain and the UK, to develop innovative treatments for patients with cancer.  Our hematology R&D group was born as Acerta Pharma, one of the Netherlands’ greatest biotech success stories. Its small-molecule BTK inhibitor has been approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). In Amsterdam approximately 100 colleagues continue the development of new therapies for haematological malignancies under the AstraZeneca brand name.   AstraZeneca’s Cell Therapy R&D team focuses on developing next-generation T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies targeting neoantigens in solid tumors. With a team of around 75 scientists, we work on both fully individualized and shared neo-antigen approaches, with the aim of improving outcomes for patients with cancer.  Our oncology research and development hub is anchored by our new state-of-the-art laboratories in OneHelix and the adjacent Plus Ultra Amsterdam building, both located on the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (Amsterdam UMC) campus. Our hub is firmly positioned at the heart of the Dutch research community network, creating new opportunities for our people, our science, and the patients we work to transform outcomes for.     Apply:  If you have any questions about this vacancy, our Recruitment Team Karin Raadschelders and Caroline van Oppen are happy to answer your questions. You can contact them via info@werkenbijacertapharma.nl or by phone on +31(0)85 - 047 0244.  We don’t work with a fixed closing date: The vacancy will remain online until we have concluded the process.Please apply immediately – we start up the selection process straight away.  

Date Posted

13-mei-2026

Closing Date

12-sep.-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.