Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship- Pharmaceutical Technology and Development

Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship- Pharmaceutical Technology and Development

Macclesfield, UK

Starting base salary of £24,570+ 11% benefits fund + bonus.

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We’re deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work. For us, that includes fostering an environment where everyone can be among inclusive, supportive individuals with curious minds. 

A company that genuinely follows the science and values individuals at all levels, you’ll be backed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science and continuously learn and explore. 

Make the start of your journey a life changing one

As part of our Early Talent Programme, you’ll be involved in projects and learning opportunities that have real impact from day one. 

Being part of our journey and helping us to provide life changing medicine to patients all over the world and transform lives for the better. Making important contributions and embracing our values to deliver on our purpose. Because regardless of role or level, we all have an important part to play in making a positive difference. 

Macclesfield 

The Macclesfield Campus is an essential part of AstraZeneca’s UK Operation and the 2nd largest operational site within the company’s global network. It is approx. 100 acres with around 4500 people working on site. The site is unique in the AstraZeneca network having Operations, R&D, G&A, IT and others on its site. 

About the Apprenticeship Programme 

We are part of Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D), which is the bridge between brilliant science and innovative medicines that help millions of people. We work across the entire value chain, designing and delivering active ingredients, formulations and devices required to support new medicines – from supplies for use in early toxicology studies and clinical trials to developing the technology to ensure drugs can be scaled up for commercial manufacture. 

You will join a vibrant team that is working on the next generation of medicines and plays a key role in the advancement of new laboratory techniques and technologies to support the development of new medicinal products. 

In order to bring new medicines to patients as quickly as possible while minimising our impact on the environment we need to constantly innovate. We strive to apply the latest advances in technology and digital science to improve our drug development process and are looking for laboratory science apprentices to support us in this bold ambition.  

We have four opportunities available in our function. Please see below for more details: 

Biocatalysis Team

Join a dynamic team in Global Chemical Development and play a pivotal role in our efforts to apply biocatalysts (enzymes) in our processes for the manufacture of new medicines for our patients. This is your chance to collaborate with experts in the field of biocatalysis and contribute to the sustainability driven development of our products. Utilising our cutting-edge technologies, you will gain invaluable experience designing, preparing and conducting experiments to optimise the syntheses of our drug candidates and intermediates. 

Duties to include: 

• Work in a lab as part of a synthetic organic chemistry team to develop new enzyme catalysed reactions 

• Conduct experiments to probe performance of biocatalysts and develop understanding of enzyme-catalysed processes. 

• Perform data analysis and interpretation of results using statistical methods and data modelling 

• Document experimental procedures and present findings to cross-functional project teams 

• Contribute and drive our compliance to Health, Safety, and Environment (SHE) and quality standards 

Process Chemistry Team

Start your career in process chemistry as an apprentice with our process development team. You’ll work with chemists and a wide range of experts to turn small lab experiments into reliable, large‑scale processes that make key chemical ingredients for medicines.  

• Gain expertise in multiple synthetic chemistry techniques, from experiment setup to troubleshooting and optimisation. 

• Develop skills in a variety of new and existing digital tools that aid understanding of chemical processes. 

• Execute and document laboratory experiments supporting our new medicines portfolio. 

• Collaborate in a dynamic team pushing the boundaries of science to achieve on time production of new Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). 

• Adhere to Health, Safety, and Environment (SHE), quality, and regulatory compliance standards in all work. 

Duties to include: 

• Synthetic chemistry experience & experiments 

• Process modelling and understanding 

• Digital solutions management knowledge 

• Collaboration and innovation 

• Compliance

Chemical Engineering and Continuous Processing Team

As an apprentice in our Chemical Engineering and Continuous Processing Team, you will build experience and skills in the investigation and introduction of cutting-edge technologies to drive manufacturing process improvements. You will focus on our New Modalities platform including oligonucleotides and peptides, ensuring that our manufacturing processes are robust and efficient. You will:  

• Gain experience in our labs, working on a wide range of technologies.  

• Learn more about process development and how we improve our manufactures.  

• Apply your learnings to our strategy plans for the wider New Modalities portfolio.  

• Utilise/create digital tools, e.g. process models. 

Duties to include:

• Laboratory experience and experiments. 

• New technology investigations. 

• Problem-solving training and exercises. 

• Collaboration and innovation with a wider team. 

Analytical Sciences and Technology (AS&T)

As an AS&T laboratory scientist apprentice within Global Product Development (GPD), you’ll develop expertise in materials characterization and deliver material work packages that advance drug product understanding in a dynamic, global environment. You’ll work across two teams, Material Design (MD), leading materials characterisation and performance understanding, and Process Analytical & Technology (PAT), applying spectroscopy and data modelling to support development and manufacturing for oral, inhaled, and injectable medicines. You’ll collaborate with analysts, formulators, engineers, biopharmaceutics experts, chemists, and project leaders, while contributing to digital twins, real-time manufacturing workflows, and novel characterisation approaches from concept to commercialisation. 

Typical responsibilities:

• Support product development projects across phases for oral solid dosage, inhaled, and parenteral products. 

• Develop spectroscopic and materials characterisation methods and chemometric models to inform formulation and manufacturing. 

• Use advanced characterisation techniques such as Raman, infrared (IR), near-infrared (NIR), imaging, and solid-state techniques to assess actives/excipients, contamination/counterfeits; evaluate flowability, particle size, and other properties impacting processing. 

• Provide support, analysis, and expertise guidance via the vibrational spectroscopy service globally. 

• Record procedures and present findings to cross-functional teams. 

• Perform data analysis using multivariate analysis and modeling. 

• Champion Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) and quality standards; drive continuous improvement and greener practices. 

Additional:

• Generate experimental/modelling data to support development decisions, real-time release testing, and regulatory submissions across drug substance and product. 

• Identify and implement quality and service improvements. 

Please indicate your department preference on the application form.

Training and Development

AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Laboratory Science Degree with our university provider Manchester Metropolitan University:

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0626-v1-1

The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time university learning (on average 1 day/week). This will give you the opportunity to gain a BSc Degree in Chemical Sciences, just as you would if you went to university full-time, with the advantage of gaining relevant work-life skills and the excitement of helping to develop new medicines whilst taking your first steps towards a rewarding career. 

Additionally, you’ll be recognised by the relevant professional bodies at Registered Scientist (RSci) level, for which there is a requirement that the scientist will participate in subsequent continuing professional development on completion of the apprenticeship. 

Essential skills/capabilities required:

• Enthusiastic individuals who are keen to learn new science with genuine curiosity for the science involved in creating new medicines. 

• Able to act independently but also to work and contribute in a team environment  

• Good organisational skills with an excellent attention to detail 

• The ability to work on multiple tasks and understanding how to prioritise 

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills 

• A proactive approach to problem solving  

• A desire to work within a laboratory setting, utilising scientific instrumentation and techniques 

Entry Requirements:

• Five GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9–4 including Maths, English and Science. 

• Applicants should have or be predicted to achieve a minimum of 104 UCAS points at A-level (grades BCC), with one being Chemistry or an equivalent scientific discipline.

• Candidates with relevant workplace experience or a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in a related scientific discipline will also be considered but must provide additional details of their experience / units studied on the course as part of their application 

Open and close date

To apply for this position, please click the apply link. 

Opening date of advert: 12th January 2026

Closing date of advert:midnight 15th February 2026

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment Day on 18th March 2026. 

Should you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations, please let us know on your application. 

This is a 4-year fixed term contract opportunity based at Macclesfield.

Start date for the apprenticeship programme is 7th September 2026.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Inclusion & Diversity: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/inclusion-diversity

Career Site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/

AstraZeneca is proud to be ranked as a Top 100 ‘Best Student Employer’ in the UK by RateMyPlacement. Browse our reviews here (link)  

At AstraZeneca, we aim to set you up for success and we recognise the challenges that starting a new job can bring. We therefore offer a relocation package to help with the costs and process of moving for candidates who currently live more than 60 minutes from the site location for this Apprenticeship. 

These positions are not open to those already educated to Bachelors degree level or above – for which we have specific Graduate Programmes, see our website for more details https://careers.astrazeneca.com/students

#Earlytalent

Date Posted

12-Jan-2026

Closing Date

15-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.

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.