Research Scientist Review

I have really enjoyed my time at AstraZeneca. i feel that I have learnt lots, gained a significant amount of confidence in the lab and feel much more equipped to go back to university to complete my final year. I am also much more knowledgable about what a career in this field would ential.

I felt very included by my colleagues. They were keen to get me on board and include me in discussions. Although I didnt have the knowledge to fully participate in team meetings, I felt a part of the team in meetings and was made to feel like a valued employee. I also felt that I could go to other members of the team should I require any help or needed to ask for guidance.

My supervisor was always on hand if i required help, regarding the project or about technical skills. I was challenged to complete tasks so I would learn but always had someone to ask should I need it. Everyone in the lab was also approachable and would always stop to help if I required it.

I had a lot of work on but not too much that I felt overworked. I still had plenty of time to attend seminars and interesting talks that were put on if I required it. There was enough time as well to take the time to go over papers or speak with others if I wanted a deeper understanding on a certain area.

As the placement progressed, I was given more and more responsibility. There was the opportunity to present at journal clubs and at team meetings and I was left to plan and run my own lab work. I was trained to use expensive, high-tech pieces of equipment and worked on this independently which shows that I was given responsibility.

I believe that the placement scheme has been enormously beneficial in my degree studies. I have developed signficiantly in time management, general lab awareness and in skills such as reading and interpreting of papers. I feel much more able going back to university and believe that this scheme will really help me in my final year.

General atmosphere in the office is good. We operate a "hot desking" system so you tend to find yourself sat next to different people and can get to know others. There is the chance to communicate with others and can grab a tea/coffee with others if you wanted a break. It is a relaxed atmosphere and not too intense.

I found the placement to be well organised in terms of assigning each student to a team and that team ensuring that you had work to do. As only one student is with each time, I didnt feel that we were sharing work and, as such, I was able to take charge of my project. We were able to attend a familiarisation day before we started the placement which was very beneficial and allowed us to see what the year would ential and also get to meet the other students beforehand.

I found that the company did invest in us as students. We were taken to career and leadership symposiums, taken for a trip to Sweden and macclesfield to visit the other company sites. There were also a number of social trips paid for by the business. I also found that time was invested in us, especially at the start, to ensure we received appropriate training.

Due to the nature of the industry, most students would be required to complete a PhD/gain significant further experience before expecting to be able to apply for a job. That said, if I had completed a PhD, i would have no hesistation in coming back to work for AstraZeneca. We are made aware through weekly emails of job opportunities/secondments that become available so you are kept in the loop.

Due to the company currently being across 7 sites, it made it difficult to socailise with all the students frequently. However, there were multiple times when we did meet up. However, the company put on a christmas ball and summer party for all to attend and there were often drinks after work so I did enjoy myself socially as well whilst on placement.

Cost of living in Cambridge was expensive but this is balanced out by being paid more to compensate for the high rent prices. That said, I commuted to work via the free shuttle service that the company put on and brought my own lunch to work so found that I still had enough money to do the activities that I wanted to do. We were also able to go punting for free at work so there was a lot of things to do which didnt require you to spend money.

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There were plenty of opportunities to get involved outside of work. I found that work were flexible that I could leave earlier on the nights that I had stuff on and then work later on the evenings when I didn't. Having weekends free was also a bonus and I took advantage of this by often getting involved in activities going on in cambridge.