Associate Principal Scientist – Advanced Drug Delivery

Do you have a passion for Science? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life-changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being ambitious, 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.

About AstraZeneca in Waltham, MA:

Our Waltham, Massachusetts facility develops life changing small-molecule research in North America, with innovative laboratories at the Gatehouse Park BioHub, just west of the city center. Our BioHub facility supports a bold new R&D initiative, which fosters life science discoveries and the exchange of ideas. Here, we play host to some of the most groundbreaking technology and lab spaces, all developed to encourage collaboration and cross-functional science. We believe employees benefit from being challenged and inspired at work. We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration. With a shuttle bus to and from Alewife station, the location provides you the ability to work in the heart of one of the world's most vibrant research centers.

Summary of the group:

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a department within AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D with a mission to transform molecules into investigational medicines, meeting the unmet needs of future patients. Advanced Drug Delivery is a department within Pharmaceutical Sciences. Our portfolio of projects spans traditional small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides to RNA-based therapeutics across AstraZeneca's therapy areas and our mission is to transform diverse modalities into investigational medicines.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual to join the dynamic Advanced Drug Delivery group, supporting the small molecule projects in AstraZeneca pipeline. Main responsibilities for this role include:

• Developing analytical methods, formulations, and drug delivery systems with a focus on small molecules
• Serving as a function representative and providing pharmaceutical expertise to global project teams
• Planning and conducting experiments with minimum supervision; Generating, evaluating, and reporting data clearly and reliably; Providing data interpretation and making recommendations to project teams and other stakeholders.
• Being actively involved with novel formulation development and innovative technology evaluation.
• Working as a member of cross-functional pharmaceutical science and CMC project teams, in close collaboration with other formulators, analytical chemists, chemists and biologists at AstraZeneca
• Presenting data at internal AstraZeneca meetings and occasionally at external meetings

Education & Experience Requirements:

• PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related scientific disciplines with minimum 3 years, preferably 5+ years post-graduation experience in pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment.
• Or MS degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Material Sciences, Biomedical Engineering or related scientific disciplines with minimum 7 years, preferably 10+ years industry experience in pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge and hands-on experience with analytical instruments for the characterization of formulation and drug products particularly in separation and chromatography (e.g., HPLC/UPLC, LC/MS, DLS, DSC, TGA, DVS, PXRD, dissolution)
• Demonstrated ability in designing and optimizing formulations of poorly soluble compounds for preclinical studies including PROTACs & RIPTACs
• Knowledge and hands-on experience of enabling formulation technologies including but not limited to amorphous solid dispersion, lipid-based formulation and nanoparticles
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills
• Track record of scientific excellence in terms of scientific publications, patents, and/or conference presentations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to effectively lead scientific/project activities
• Committed to effective methods through a structured approach and growth mindset

Desired Skills:

• Willingness to acquire new skills or technologies
• Work independently and collaboratively in team settings
• Modeling and simulation predictions for human oral absorption of drug products
• Broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of drug discovery and drug development
• Understanding of principals and applications of GLS/GLP/GMP

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $138,392.80 - $207,589.20. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we spark ambitious thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines! In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of four days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting-edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.

Date Posted

25-Mar-2026

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

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.