Principal Microbiologist
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This vacancy has been independently reviewed by the OppaJob Transatlantic Career Intelligence Desk to confirm authentic direct employer recruiting, verify compensation transparency, and eliminate applicant processing fees.
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Position Overview & Specifications
At AstraZeneca weβre dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. Thereβs no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society. An expansive culture that champions diversity and collaboration. Always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development.
Join the team where everyone feels a personal connection to the people that we impact. From our science labs to manufacturing at scale, we are committed to delivering at the highest quality. Itβs inspiring and rewarding work, influencing every part of the product lifecycle to deliver life-changing medicines. To ultimately make peopleβs lives better β from patients and their families to all of us in society!
What you'll do:
Provide expert microbiological technical direction, challenge and problem solving in development drug projects.
Take ownership for the quality, reputation and communication and delivery of science in projects.
Influence and impact in your project delivery and capability development in microbiology across Pharmaceutical Technology & Development (PT&D).
Provide disciplinary scientific leadership, coaching and mentorship for less experienced Microbiologists.
Identify leading improvements in science and technologies that can be successfully applied to a highly competitive testing, drug discovery or development process that contributes to achievement of Business goals.
Recommend, gain commitment to, initiate, lead and champion new science and technology initiatives to improve Product Development capability to deliver drug projects.
Advise Senior Management on new science and technology within microbiology and aseptic manufacturing.
When appropriate patent and/or publish papers and reviews in internationally recognised journals.
Lead scientific discipline networks and act as a focus for debate within the AstraZeneca science community.
Advise on and participate in development of strategy in a particular area or discipline.
Demonstrate and role model creativity and innovation on projects.
Essential skills & experience:
Experienced Microbiologist who is a recognised expert in their given area.
Have an excellent understanding of the overall drug development process from discovery through to launch with an appreciation of how PT&D contributes to drug development and the broader business.
Extensive experience in pharmaceutical science, including demonstrating successful scientific leadership.
Experience in, or exposure to, multiple disciplines in PT&D.
Have experience of leading teams of people/networks or scientific projects.
Excellent communication and relationship building skills with internal and external customers.
Desirable:
A broad network spanning different scientific disciplines from which to drive innovative thinking.
At AstraZeneca, we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the upmost integrity even in the most difficult situations because we are committed to doing the right thing.
Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we canβt wait to hear from you!
Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process
Application & Resume Screening
Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.
Technical & Competency Interviews
Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.
Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation
Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.
Onboarding & Corporate Integration
Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.
United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide
Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:
Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (Β£38,700) or occupation going rate.
Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.
Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Biotech & Pharmaceuticals
Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Principal Microbiologist roles across AstraZeneca's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:
Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Biotech & Pharmaceuticals.
STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.
Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked Salary Disclosed on Application bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.
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