IP Student Review

Daily tasks: planning and conducting experiments Internal interactions: communicating with supervisors 1-3 times a week depending on how busy supervisors are. working with different teams, e.g., the flow cytometry team and the mass spectrometry team, on projects. Responsibilities: Planning (e.g., booking equipment) and conducting experiments according to plans made together with (or mainly by) supervisors.

New skills: a range of experiment skills poorly or not taught by my university including cell culture methodologies (cell line handling, maintenance and quality control, standard light microscopy), cell line transfection, lentiviral transduction, standard molecular biology procedures (BCA protein assay, western blot using dry transfer), Mass spectrometry prep, various ways of lysing cells. Existing skills (i.e., soft skills): time management, stress management, project management, communication

Yes, I had to make a lot of decisions without my supervisor. The project was very self-driven as my supervisor wasn't around very often.

A lot of support for one of my projects but very little for another. For one of them, my supervisor was always around, other people in the lab also gave me a lot of help & support. Not so much for the other, one because I don't really see my supervisor, and two because my project wasn't very relevant to other people in that lab and people were too busy with their own things. I'd say the environment very much depends on who you work with.

Most people are very friendly; a lot of social events; lots of free food; lots of charity events; people generally care about your mental health. I'd say it's a healthy and welcoming environment to work in.

I enjoyed it a lot. By immersing myself in an R&D environment, working with scientists who are doing things that will be applied to the real world changed my view of R&D, and my plan for the next step. In addition, there were so many networking opportunities, and people here are generally very supportive. I think I'm now in a very good position for whatever my plan is for the next year.

Yes

Before application: research the company and showcase it during the interview. During placement: embrace all the opportunities, network with people, learn as much as possible, and take challenges so you won't regret. At the same time, don't overload yourself, try to have a good work-life balance. Talk to your line manager or colleagues if you have any concerns with the project/life/mental health, people are very supportive here. Also, this year out of uni is a great opportunity to pick up something new, such as a new hobby. There are plenty of things to explore.