Oligonucleotide Chemistry Process Development Internship - New Modality Chemistry

Oligonucleotide Chemistry Process Development Internship - New Modality Chemistry

Macclesfield

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide! AstraZeneca Summer Internships introduce you to the world of ground-breaking drug development, embedding you in highly dedicated teams, committed to delivering life-changing medicines to patients. Our 10–12-week program is designed for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students. We offer exciting opportunities across Research & Development, Operations, and Enabling Units (Corporate functions).

Our internships immerse students in the pharmaceutical industry, allowing the opportunity to contribute to our diverse pipeline of medicines whether in the lab or outside of it! You will feel trusted and empowered to take on new challenges, but with all the help and guidance you need to succeed. This internship will help you develop essential skills, expand your knowledge, and build a network that will set you up for future success. You will be surrounded by curious, passionate, and open-minded professionals eager to learn and follow the science, fostering your growth in a truly collaborative and global team.

AstraZeneca has partnered with the Royal Society of Chemistrys Broadening Horizons in the Chemical Sciences programme, to support chemists from minoritised racial and ethnic backgrounds pursue careers in the chemical sciences. This internship is being offered exclusively to the Broadening Horizons Cohort to support this programme and our commitments to it.

Pharmaceutical Sciences is a function within the AstraZeneca Biopharmaceuticals R&D unit that builds innovative, efficient solutions by transforming molecules into investigative medicines meeting unmet needs of future patients. The function has four departments: Early Chemical Development, Advanced Drug Delivery, Early Product Development and Manufacturing and Data Science and Modelling.

Early Chemical Development (ECD) is a world class CMC department with responsibility for early phase Drug Substance. The departments responsibilities span from early engagement with Discovery Chemistry groups to manufacture of Phase II Clinical material, and its key skill areas include Analytical Chemistry, Crystallisation, Isotope Chemistry, Large-Scale Laboratory (Kilo-Lab) Manufacturing, Process Chemistry, Process Design, Process Engineering, Route Design and Separation Science.

This role will sit within ECDs New Modalities team, which has a focus on delivering against our Oligonucleotide projects portfolio, as well as contributing to the implementation of the new process development capability for therapeutic oligonucleotide drug substance.

The role is based at the Macclesfield Campus, Cheshire, and is primarily laboratory based.

Accountabilities

This internship offers an exciting opportunity to work across the whole oligonucleotide drug substance workflow in ECD and implement process improvements contributing towards multiple therapeutic oligonucleotide projects.

The successful candidate will gain an in depth understanding of the solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis (SPOS) workflow: oligonucleotide synthesis, cleavage & deprotection, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, purification, annealing, lyophilization and analytical analysis. They will get full training and use of the SPOS workflow equipment: Cytiva OligoSynth synthesizer, React IR 702L probe, tangential flow filtration system, WavePrep microwave, Cytiva Avant liquid chromatography system, UV-Vis spectrophotometer and freeze drier.

The candidate will work closely with their supervisor and the wider New Modalities Group to develop process improvements in SPOS, and, with supervision, create and execute experimental ideas for process improvements impacting into multiple SPOS projects, reporting results and next steps in weekly technical group meetings.

Essential Criteria

Currently undertaking a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD degree (BSc/MSc/MChem/PhD) in chemistry

A good understanding of synthetic organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms and modern analytical technique such as UPLC, NMR and Mass Spectrometry

Must be at least 18 years of age at time of application

Must have UK right-to-work status

Must return to university education at the close of the internship (candidates graduating before/during the programmes are ineligible)

AstraZeneca is where you can immerse yourself in groundbreaking work with real patient impact.

Trusted to work on important projects, youll have the independence to take on new challenges while receiving all the guidance you need to succeed. Our collaborative environment is designed to help you grow professionally and personally, surrounded by passionate individuals eager to make a difference.

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca, starting with the recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any reasonable adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and join us on this exciting journey!

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Date Posted

20-Jan-2026

Closing Date

03-Feb-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.