Science Industry Process Plant Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Job Details

Science IndustryProcess Plant Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

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.

Working in 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.

Process Technology and Development (PT&D) turns innovative drug candidates into medicines that help millions of people. We work across all aspects of our product development: designing and delivering the active ingredients, formulations and devices required to support new medicines; providing supplies used in clinical trials, and developing the technology to ensure drugs can be scaled up for commercial manufacture.

As an AstraZeneca Apprentice in PT&D you will have a unique opportunity to learn within a multi-national company gaining useable skills whilst working closely alongside industry experts and professionals. The workplace experience acquired during your apprenticeship will ensure you develop the skills to provide good prospects for future scientific positions in AstraZeneca and the pharmaceutical industry in general.

We have a potential Science Industry Process Plant Engineer Apprenticeship role within our Oral Product Development (OPD) organisation which sits within PT&D. This role has a focus on supporting laboratory scale manufacturing activities for drug product development, both in terms of equipment ownership and operation to support project work.

OPD is responsible for the design and development of oral solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules – our part in AstraZeneca’s mission to deliver new medicines for patients. We develop the formulation, manufacturing process and scientific knowledge required to develop new drug products. This work includes the laboratory scale experimentation, engineering aspects and manufacturing process development which is central to this apprenticeship role. You would be working in highly multi-disciplinary team, including engineers and pharmaceutical scientists.

Some key elements of the programme will include:

• Working in the OPD laboratories helping to deliver formulation and process development activities for manufacture of oral solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules.
• Gaining hands-on operational experience of processing steps including mixing and blending, granulation, tablet compaction and coating.  
• Particular emphasis on our new continuous direct compression manufacturing “CDC” capability and equipment
• Working towards the role as equipment owner, to include the setup and operation of experiments, and also their maintenance clean down and calibration activities as required
• Assisting with developing, modifying and improving our equipment and lab capabilities from an engineering perspective
• Opportunity to also train in related aspects of data processing and analysis
• Opportunity to work with a highly multidisciplinary development team and learn about wider drug product development  
• Delivering supporting materials characterisation laboratory techniques
• Deliver written write ups of experimental work
• Working in a safe and compliant manner according to all Astrazeneca procedures and standards

Training and Development

Our Degree Level Apprenticeship Programme in Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D) will sponsor you through your BEng (Hons) in Professional Engineering at Aston University.

The Science Industry Process Plant Engineer Apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time university learning (1 day/week + residential periods). This will give you the opportunity to gain an BEng (Hons) qualification, 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.

We truly value Early Talent– their thoughts, ideas and contributions. So throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to speak up, have a voice and make an impact.

Skills and Capabilities

We would be looking for the following attributes from our successful applicants:

• Enthusiastic individuals who are keen to learn and with a genuine curiosity for the science, technology and engineering practices 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
• An interest and aptitude for practical, hands on engineering work and scientific experimentation
• The ability to work on multiple tasks and understanding how to prioritise
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Something about proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel etc (is this appropriate request?)
• A proactive approach to problem solving
• The ability to collaborate with other individuals in your team and in other areas of the business.

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9 to 4 includingMaths, English and Science.

To have achieved or predicted to achieve a minimum of 3 A levels (grades CCC) in a science, engineering and/or maths subject,but consideration will be given to other combinations of education and engineering experience.

This is a 5 -year fixed term contract opportunity based at Macclesfield with a starting base salary of £21,500 + 11% benefits fund + bonus.

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.

About AstraZeneca

We are a global pharmaceutical company with a major UK presence. Our purpose is to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. The best way we can help patients is to be science-led and share this passion with the scientific, healthcare and business communities of the UK.

We’re curious about science and the advancement of knowledge. We find creative ways to approach new challenges. We’re driven to make the right choices and be accountable for our actions.

As an organisation centred around what makes us human, we put a big focus on people. Across our business, we want colleagues to wake up excited about their day at the office, in the field, or in the lab. Along with our purpose to bring life-changing medicines to people across the globe, we have a promise to you: to help you realise the full breadth of your potential. Here, you’ll do work that has the potential to change your life and improve countless others. And, together with your team, you’ll shape a culture that unites and inspires us every day.

There are many career paths and programmes available to you, whatever your level of study.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button below.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.