About the role#
This 6-month co-op program focuses on building a closed-loop platform that combines computational tools with experimental testing. You will work with the Synthetic Product Development team to improve chiral ligand design and optimization. This position is based in New Haven, Connecticut, and is scheduled for the first half of 2027.
What you'll do#
- Partner with synthetic chemists to identify selectivity challenges, design training sets, and validate predictions.
- Perform DFT transition-state calculations to determine energies and geometries for chiral ligands.
- Build machine learning surrogate models to predict diastereomeric ratios and run Bayesian optimization campaigns.
- Test your computational predictions in the lab to refine design cycles.
- Maintain and document the computational pipeline to ensure reproducibility and knowledge transfer.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Ph.D. program in synthetic organic chemistry or a related field.
- Practical experience with quantum chemistry calculations, specifically DFT and transition-state theory.
- Hands-on laboratory experience in synthetic organic chemistry or catalysis.
- Proficiency in Python and relevant scientific libraries.
- A foundational understanding of machine learning concepts such as model training, validation, and regression frameworks.
- Ability to work on-site in New Haven for the full 6-month term.
Location & details#
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut.
- Term: Winter 2027 and Summer 2027.
- Compensation: $48 per hour.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time.
- Note: US work authorization is required. This role does not provide sponsorship.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a public pharmaceutical manufacturing company. It focuses on research, development, and global business operations. The company maintains offices in Cambridge and Sodertalje. It employs over 80,000 people.
How to get in at AstraZeneca
Securing an internship at AstraZeneca requires speed because early applicants often get seen before the pile grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, which helps you apply among the first. You will find that being at the front of the queue is a significant advantage in a competitive field. Reaching out to the right people often beats applying into a generic queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral. This approach materially improves your response rates compared to standard applications.
