AstraZeneca

Senior Scientist, Delivery (Lipid/Polymer) Chemist

AstraZeneca$112K — $168K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or related field.
  • 0+ years of experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
  • Ability to design and optimize synthetic routes for lipids or polymers.
  • Hands-on experience with analytical characterization techniques (e.g., NMR, LC/MS).
  • Track record of scientific excellence through publications or patents.
  • Understanding of therapeutic modalities like oligonucleotides and peptides.
  • Strong communication skills to convey complex scientific information.

Responsibilities

  • Design and synthesize novel lipids for lipid nanoparticle platforms.
  • Plan and interpret data on lipids and LNPs using various technologies.
  • Serve as the primary expert in delivery chemistry for nucleic acid therapeutics.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in Sweden and the UK to enhance project outcomes.
  • Present scientific findings at internal and external forums to influence decisions.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation and reliable workflows for compliance.
  • Explore new excipients and chemistries to accelerate project timelines.

Benefits

  • Qualified retirement programs.
  • Paid time off for vacation, holidays, and leaves.
  • Health, dental, and vision coverage under applicable plans.
Full Job Description
Senior Scientist, Delivery (Lipid/Polymer) Chemist

Introduction to role

Are you ready to design next-generation lipids that unlock the full potential of nucleic acid therapeutics? As a Senior Scientist focused on delivery chemistry, you will shape how new modalities move from concept to clinic, directly influencing therapies that could transform patient outcomes.

Based at the Kendal Square site, you will join a dynamic team driving rapid discovery and development across multiple therapy areas. You will thrive in a fast-moving environment with many unknowns, working across disciplines to translate bold ideas into tangible results. Can you see yourself turning inventive synthesis into robust formulations that perform in real biological systems?

Accountabilities
  • Lipid Synthesis: Design and synthesize novel lipids for lipid nanoparticle platforms, delivering high-quality compounds with clear structure-function hypotheses that advance program decisions.
  • Data Generation and Analysis: Plan, generate, and interpret data on lipids and LNPs using fit-for-purpose technologies; convert complex datasets into clear recommendations that move projects forward.
  • Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the primary delivery chemist and formulation expert for nucleic acid therapeutics, guiding teams with evidence-based insights and strategic options.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with colleagues across sites in Sweden and the UK to integrate chemistry, formulation, and biology, accelerating learning cycles and program milestones.
  • Scientific Communication: Present findings at internal forums and, when appropriate, at external conferences; influence decisions through crisp storytelling grounded in rigorous data.
  • Quality and Compliance: Maintain reliable documentation and reproducible workflows aligned with regulated environments, ensuring traceability and consistency across experiments.
  • Innovation and Acceleration: Explore new excipients, chemistries, and scalable routes; where relevant, leverage automation and computational design to build smarter lipid libraries and shorten iteration time.
  • Impact Progression: Deliver immediate synthesis and characterization contributions, then expand impact by shaping delivery strategies across multiple programs and stages.


Essential Skills/Experience
  • Academic Qualifications: PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related scientific discipline.
  • Professional Experience: 0+ years of post-graduation experience within a pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment.
  • Synthetic Strategy: Demonstrated ability to design and optimize synthetic routes and approaches for lipids and/or polymers.
  • Analytical Proficiency: Strong hands-on experience with the analytical and physicochemical characterization of novel materials (e.g., NMR, LC/MS, LC/CAD, particle sizing, and various separation technologies).
  • Scientific Track Record: Proven history of scientific excellence evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, patents, and/or conference presentations.
  • Modality Knowledge: Strong foundational understanding of new therapeutic modalities, such as oligonucleotides, RNA, DNA, peptides, and proteins.
  • Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively share complex scientific insights across diverse teams.


Desirable Skills/Experience
  • Delivery Technologies: Deep knowledge of novel drug delivery systems, specifically including lipid-based formulations, nanoparticles, and microspheres.
  • Formulation Experience: Practical hands-on experience formulating new modalities (e.g., oligonucleotides, RNA, DNA, peptides, proteins).
  • Chromatography: Experience utilizing Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) is considered a plus.
  • Advanced Chemistry: Familiarity with novel excipient chemistry and bio-conjugation techniques.
  • AI and automation: lipid library design and synthesis.


The annual base pay for this position ranges from $112,304 to $168,456. 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

Date Posted
23-Jun-2026

Closing Date
30-Jun-2026

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of prescription drugs. The company was formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca's products are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. The company has operations in over 100 countries and employs more than 76,000 people worldwide. AstraZeneca is committed to developing innovative medicines that improve the health and well-being of people around the world.
Learn more about AstraZeneca
Size
83,100 employees
Market Cap
$211.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1999
5 Year Trend
+10.2%
Revenue
$26.6 billion
NASDAQ

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