Matthew from Discovery Chemistry

• • Discovery chemistry

  • Matt - synthetic chemistry
  • Galith - synthetic chemistry
  • Theresa - synthetic chemistry
  • Richard - computational chemistry
  • Attilla - computational chemistry
  • Jon - medicinal chemistry
  • Sara - synthetic chemistry
  • Linette - physical chemistry
  • Julie - protein crystallographer
  • Matthew - physical chemistry
  • Chester - medicinal chemistry
  • Denise - synthetic chemistry
  • Hiroki - medicinal chemistry

I studied Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry at The University of Huddersfield and found the topics relevant to the Pharmaceutical Industry extremely interesting. I was then fortunate to study for a PhD that benefited from a CASE award studentship sponsored by AstraZeneca. This meant that as well as having an industrial supervisor’s input to my project and regular visits to an AstraZeneca site, I had extra money during my PhD!

"Teamwork is very important, both in my group and in the projects I support, and there is always someone available to provide helpful advice" Matthew

My research involved testing the reactivity and enzyme inhibition properties of novel compounds. This increased my enthusiasm for drug discovery and enabled me to develop my research skills and scientific understanding.

On completing my PhD a Postdoctoral research position became available in my industrial supervisor’s team at AstraZeneca’s Charnwood site. My contact with AstraZeneca during my PhD had allowed me to experience at first hand the impressive facilities, comfortable working environment and friendly staff. In addition, the pursuit of excellent science in the company motivated my desire to work there. My application for the position was successful after a day of technical and hr interviews.

My work involved development of a new permeability assay and enabled me to apply my problem solving and research skills to a fresh challenge. In addition, I learnt a large number of new techniques, with both laboratory equipment and theoretical work. I was also exposed to regular meetings at team, department and global level which enabled me to better develop my communication skills. Overall my Post Doc gave me valuable experience of both AstraZeneca and the drug discovery process as a whole. It enabled me to subsequently obtain a permanent position as a Physical Scientist at the Alderley Park site, after a further day of interviews and the delivery of an oral presentation.  

I now work in the early stages of drug discovery, supporting projects to help them optimise the physical properties of their candidate drugs without damaging other characteristics. My typical day is varied and interesting, involving a mixture of research into new assays, experimental testing of compounds, and discussing results or providing advice at meetings. It requires me to manage my time effectively, and to sometimes meet challenging deadlines, but the work is rewarding and valued by project teams. Teamwork is very important, both in my group and in the projects I support, and there is always someone available to provide helpful advice.

I am actively encouraged to attend a variety of internal and external training courses or conferences. These focus on both my scientific and personal development. Working for AstraZeneca has provided me with a large number of opportunities to grow as a scientist and as a professional, the whole experience is many times better than I expected industry to be!