Naomi from Process Chemistry

• • Process chemistry

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

I graduated from Leicester University with an MChem (Hons) degree in Chemistry. In my final year I attended a presentation on careers at AstraZeneca and was impressed not only by the professional approach but more importantly by the opportunities available to graduates.

I had decided that I wished to pursue a career in organic chemistry, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, and so I applied through AstraZeneca’s graduate recruitment scheme.

"One of the things that attracted me to Process Chemistry was the range of work involved and especially the opportunity to carry out chemistry in both the labs and manufacturing plants." Naomi

On progressing to the second round of interviews I was invited to visit both Avlon and Charnwood sites. I accepted a job at Avlon because of its friendly environment, enthusiastic staff, good facilities and geographical location.

One of the things that attracted me to Process Chemistry was the range of work involved and especially the opportunity to carry out chemistry in both the labs and manufacturing plants. Since starting work I have experienced a wide range of chemistry ranging from small-scale laboratory experiments to large scale commercial manufacture and have enjoyed the different challenges presented by each situation. There is definitely a sense of achievement in seeing kilogram quantities of a material produced by the process you developed!

I have recently completed a six-month secondment to Development Manufacture working in the Large Scale Laboratory at Avlon. During this period I was involved with three different projects and worked with teams of chemists, engineers and analysts from all of AstraZeneca’s UK sites. Secondments are an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development and AstraZeneca actively encourages them.

Technology plays a large part in how I work on a day-to-day basis. Not only do I routinely use a P.C. in the office but there is also a wide variety of automated laboratory equipment available for use by all chemists, designed to maximise our productivity and get much more useful information out of the laboratory work we do. I personally have responsibility for a liquid handling robot which makes reaction profiling and monitoring much easier and more efficient as it will carry on working while I sleep!

I have also been involved in a project to implement an electronic lab notebook system into the Process Chemistry function. This project has allowed me to work with a wide range of people from functions outside Process Research and Development and to gain a better appreciation of how AstraZeneca works as a global company.