Compound Synthesis and Management Summer Internship 2026 – Broadening Horizons

Broadening Horizons Chemistry Summer Internship - Compound Synthesis and Management

Cambridge

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide! AstraZeneca Summer Internships introduce you to the world of ground-breaking drug development, embedding you in highly dedicated teams, committed to delivering life-changing medicines to patients. Our 10–12-week program is designed for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students. We offer exciting opportunities across Research & Development, Operations, and Enabling Units (Corporate functions).

Our internships immerse students in the pharmaceutical industry, allowing the opportunity to contribute to our diverse pipeline of medicines whether in the lab or outside of it. You will feel trusted and empowered to take on new challenges, but with all the help and guidance you need to succeed. This internship will help you develop essential skills, expand your knowledge, and build a network that will set you up for future success. You will be surrounded by curious, passionate, and open-minded professionals eager to learn and follow the science, fostering your growth in a truly collaborative and global team.

Job Description

What will you be doing?

Not sure about where you can apply your chemistry knowledge in the pharmaceutical sector!?With the UK Compound Synthesis and Management group, you will be ideally placed to find out as we support and work closely with chemists and biologists throughout Drug Discovery. From a vantage point at the heart of the drug discovery process, you will contribute to science on real-world drug projects whilst gaining experience of cutting edge scientific techniques underpinned by chemistry, for example, automated and robotic processes, contactless methods for transferring liquids, structural identification of compounds by mass spectrometry, and the application of machine learning and AI. In a delivery focused team, you will experience the criticality of collaboration and communication in laboratory operations and strategic planning, and engage with colleagues in similar roles across the globe.

What are we looking for?

We provide a platform for scientists to gain industrial laboratory experience, identify and demonstrate their unique strengths and gain insight on their individual development path. We are a friendly and supportive group and would like to work with passionate scientists who are curious about how they can best apply themselves to make a difference to patient’s lives.

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.

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.

Enthusiasm, professionalism and a sense of fun are key to this role, as well as the ability to work as part of a team. You should be curious about industrial pharmaceutical chemistry and passionate about using cutting edge science to develop and deliver medicines which make a difference to patients’ lives. You should also have a good academic background and be prepared to apply your knowledge of pharmacy and the patient in a practical way.

AstraZeneca has partnered with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Broadening Horizons in the Chemical Sciences programme,, to support chemists from minoritised racial and ethnic backgrounds pursue careers in the chemical sciences. This internship is being offered exclusively to the Broadening Horizons Cohort to support this programme and our commitments to it.”

What can we offer you?

This role is aimed at students who are interested in gaining practical work experience, developing their understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, building a network and seeing where their skills may align with a future career within the pharmaceutical industry.

Summer

Internship positions are available at the Discovery Centre (DISC) (Cambridge) site. During the (10) week placement you will gain a useful insight into the Pharmaceutical industry and the variety of opportunities available to Chemists within our organisation.

Role requirements.

Applications for Summer Internships will be open until Midnight on the 06/02/2026 and you can expect to hear from us by the end of March 2026. Interviews will be held in April and will be virtual. The placements will take place from w/c 22/06/2026 for (10) weeks. A salary will be paid.

Applicants must be a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Broadening Horizons programme and this will be checked during the application process.

AstraZeneca is where you can immerse yourself in groundbreaking work with real patient impact.

Trusted to work on important projects, you’ll have the independence to take on new challenges while receiving all the guidance you need to succeed. Our collaborative environment is designed to help you grow professionally and personally, surrounded by passionate individuals eager to make a difference.

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca, starting with the recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics.

We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any reasonable adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and join us on this

exciting journey!

#Earlytalent

Date Posted

26-Jan-2026

Closing Date

09-Feb-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.