Industrial Placement student : Bioassay Scientist Review

The placement was a great learning experience which was challenging yet fun.

I felt the department was very professional but not the most close. I felt my work in the department was always well recognised and valued.

I had a fantastic superviser who was supportive and helped me along with all parts of the placement. This included weekly assays as well as going through my final report on a regular basis.

Some days were extremely busy, this was based on whether I was running several assays/in the lab for long periods of time. The lab/experimental days were the most demanding and I would find myself in the lab for 2-3 hours at a time sometimes! I did enjoy being on my toes so found it to be a good balance. Data analysis days, although mentally demanding, were less hectic.

I was given a lot of responsibility and was thankful for it as it made me more involved in the team and I felt well trusted by the group. I was in charge of several assays and therefore was the go-to person for those projects.

Data analysis skills and lab skills are skills for life and are transferable within any scientific discipline so have assisted me and will continue to do so in the future.

The atmosphere, although never dull, was very fast paced and busy. There wasn't much fun but we did go for coffee breaks as a group which was fun!

Very well organised, down to assay running details and holiday entitlement.

I felt very well invested in and took the opportunity to read lots of available scientific papers, do several courses which were offered to me (radioactive training etc.) and found out alot about other departments such as the animal facilities.

Although the experience and their feedback has been very positive, the company employment prospects are not great as the company is going through some major changes which does make it seem quite volatile at the moment.

We did go out with other members of staff once or twice a year but this was quite infrequent compared to other departments.

Living only an hour away from london meant that living costs were high and so going out was unlikely and socialising was mainly limited to going to each others' houses etc.

There were two clubs in town but they were notoriously busy and therefore not worth going to!

There were several parties such as christmas and birthday lunches which was fun. There were also occassions which commemorated someone's contribution or a successful project completion.