Jacob from Process Chemistry

• • Process chemistry

  • Emma
  • Alison
  • Gair
  • Catherine
  • Coleen
  • Naomi
  • Zakariya
  • Darryl
  • Jacob

I graduated from the University Of Birmingham with an MSci (Hons) in Chemistry. A summer placement, before my final year, helped me choose a career in process chemistry. AstraZeneca appealed to me because of its reputation for excellence in science.

Other factors that drew me to AstraZeneca included its position as one of the top 50 graduate employers and the location of its UK sites.

"There is a great team feeling to the department, everyone is always willing to help out" Jacob

I found the applications procedure straightforward and well organised. My second round interview was held at the Charnwood site. As well as a challenging interview, I also met some of the talented and motivated chemists that I now work with and toured the laboratories and facilities process chemistry has at its disposal.

Process chemistry is part of Process R&D. We are responsible for providing the active drug substance for clinical trials and developing the final route of drug manufacture. Developing manufacturing routes presents many challenges; the chemistry you do has to work efficiently - every time - on a several thousand-litre scale, as well as being safe, cost effective and environmentally considerate. The department is often also under pressure to deliver drug substance to tight timelines. If we dont supply the drug substance to support clinic trials on time, we could delay the drug reaching the market.

I really enjoy working as a process chemist. I am expected to work independently and I plan and carry out my own experiments. I am also encouraged to solve my own chemistry problems; but when things are not going so well, I have support not only from my manager, but also from the whole chemistry team.

There is a great team feeling to the department; everyone is always willing to help out with ideas etc. Its also definitely true in process chemistry that your contribution is valued from day one. You also get a great sense of achievement seeing your process scaled up for the first time!

The training and development opportunities that AstraZeneca provides are excellent. My manager actively encourages personal development. As well as many internal courses I have been on several external courses and conferences since joining the company.

All this training has helped me improve my job performance and develop many transferable skills. It is also reassuring to know that although there are many opportunities for career progression within Process R&D, if I ever want a change of direction, AstraZeneca can offer me many different opportunities in other areas of the company.