Thesis work, 30 credits - Advancing Roller Compaction Simulation in Drug Development

Are you interested in revolutionizing drug development processes? Join us to explore innovative methods to enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing! 

About AstraZeneca: 

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.  

About the Opportunity: 

As a Thesis Worker at AstraZeneca, you’ll find an environment that’s full of unique opportunities and exciting challenges. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your areas of interest whilst equally developing a broad skillset and knowledge base to get the best out of your experience. You’ll be working on meaningful projects to make an impact and deliver real value for our patients and our business. 

Thesis work description:  

This master thesis focuses on enhancing the manufacturing route for drug products in early development through the use of Roller Compaction (RC), a widely utilized dry granulation method. Given the challenges of drug substance availability during early development stages, this project aims to explore the potential of using a compaction simulator instead of a full-scale roller compactor. Implementing successful simulated RC processes can significantly reduce the need for time-consuming and material-intensive trials, enabling more efficient and sustainable drug product development, especially when drug substances are limited. 

Key Objectives: 

• Evaluate Roller Compaction Simulation - Assess and develop the use of roller compaction simulation as a method to facilitate early drug product development while reducing dependency on drug substance availability. 

Possible methods and approaches: 

• Process Design Exploration - Investigate the design of compaction processes using simulations, focusing on optimizing operational parameters. 
• Material Characterization - Evaluate suitable material characterization methods for roller compaction process comparisons, including particle size distribution, flow properties, and tableting characteristics. 
• Formulation Development - Integrate formulation development into the simulation process to identify optimal formulations that work effectively with the intended RC process. 
• Data Analysis Utilization - Utilize digital tools and analytics for interpreting and analyzing data generated from simulation experiments, enhancing process understanding. 
• Develop Small-Scale Trials - Create small-scale trial methodologies to validate the effectiveness of the simulation compared to traditional methods, focusing on drug substance conservation. 
• Impact Assessment - Examine the implications of simulated roller compaction on the overall drug development timeline and resource management. 

Essential Requirements: 

• Ongoing master’s studies within Pharmacy, Engineering, or equivalent. 

So, what’s next?  

Apply today and take the chance to be part of making a difference, making connections, and gaining the tools and experience to open doors and fulfil your potential. We can´t wait to hear from you!  

We welcome your application as soon as possible, but ahead of the scheduled closing date 27th of April 2025. In the event that we identify suitable candidates ahead of the scheduled closing date, we reserve the right to withdraw the vacancy earlier than published.  

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.