Synthetic Organic Chemist Review

Arriving at AstraZeneca, I had no real knowledge of what the world of work was like or whether I would enjoy my placement. However, from the first day all my colleagues were extremely friendly, taking the time to help me improve at my job as well as making me feel at home. The work is varied, with plenty of extra clubs (such as literature groups and problem sessions) to invest in to improve me overall as a chemist. The city (Cambridge) where AstraZeneca are based is extremely vibrant with plenty going on, making it easy to get a good work/life balance.

All my colleagues are extremely friendly, with everyone being very approachable. Right from the first week, I was invited to dinner with colleagues and other activities. At all times people were very willing to help me out and provide guidance in the lab. Furthermore, colleagues would always keep an eye out to check that I was ok, which was very reassuring, particularly early on in the placement.

Having no industrial chemistry experience, I was quite worried that I would be completely out of my depth. However, my supervisor was VERY supportive and helpful, teaching me all the techniques required for my work, and always being willing to go over things again if I could not remember or did not understand. I never felt in my placement like I did not have any help or support.

Most days there was plenty to do, and I would work solidly from when I arrived to when I got home. There were times though when I was bored due to a lack of work, although this is often the case in a job where getting work done is dependent on availability of materials as well as the stage of your project.

Once I was confident in the lab I was given responsibility for getting on with my work and completing it on my own, although I was never abandoned to the work by my supervisor! I was not given too much freedom on how I went about things or what work I should undertake, but again this is to be expected in a pharmaceutical company.

In terms of my degree, all the skills I have gained and built on, both in chemistry and other transferable skills, will be of vital importance to my final year of my degree. If I go and pursue a career in chemistry, then all the lab and technical skills I have learnt will be transferable to this. Furthermore, even if I do not pursue a career in chemistry, skills such as working in a project team, presentation, communication and independent learning are all useful in pretty much every career.

Staff were friendly and there was plenty of joking and laughter in the lab. Everyone was focussed and hard working which encouraged everyone to work hard, but at the same time everyone was fairly relaxed and laid back, contributing to a very good atmosphere. I was never apprehensive about work because of this environment.

AstraZeneca have been taking on placement students for years and it clearly showed. I was introduced to my supervisor on my first day, where my fume cupboard had already been set up. The initial work for me to carry out was already prepared which meant starting was very straightforward. My place in the project team was already established, so there was no difficulty in getting work.

My supervisor spent lots of time training me in all the various techniques and skills needed as a synthetic organic chemist. There were plenty of extra activities that I could go to (and was encouraged to attend) that would improve me as a chemist. There were plenty of networking conferences that gave me the opportunity to meet other chemists and scientists working both in industry and academia.

AstraZeneca offer a graduate scheme and also have collaborative PhD programmes with Cambridge university. As of yet I have not been given any information about them.

Yes, and there were plenty of opportunities, yet were on a basis of coming as frequently or to as few as you wanted to.

Cambridge is very expensive to live in, especially renting costs which were very high. However, the city is extremely vibrant, and because it is a student city there were plenty of things to get involved with as a placement student. I was never bored!!!

There was some nightlife in Cambridge, but it is definitely more of a pub city than a party city.

Yes loads