SBR Researcher Review

My day-to-day role begins with checking my emails and responding to any queries which may have occurred. Throughout the day I have team meetings within and across my teams which offer insight into different projects taking place at Cancer Research UK. Then I spend most of my day on Google Scholar completing background research for different projects. My research must be systematic so that I do not miss any potential publications. The findings must be recorded and then written into a 'background' section on the different projects.

I have learned how to systematically search google scholar. This involves using Boolean Operations to include and exclude certain keywords. The keywords used must then be recorded so that I can trace my search history. I have also become more competent on Microsoft Excel as this is used for most of my day-to-day research, using excel to record written summaries of the reports that I have read. My Microsoft Outlook and Teams skills have also been enhanced as I now know how to schedule meetings with different people and check people's calendar for their daily availability.

Yes. I have been tasked with 4 different projects and asked to research each of these to provide a database on the currently available research. My research is then used to form the research brief document which is then sent off to the university/ agency who completes the research on our behalf. I also contribute in most meetings and feel like I am present and taking part rather than distant and watching on. This shows responsibility as my manager asks for me to be there so that I can contribute my thoughts.

The support network was great. I had my manager to contact throughout and she was always willing to schedule a meeting with me to talk through any questions or queries which I may have. Alongside my manager, I could also contact the wider team for general questions. Furthermore, I had a specific buddy throughout the internship who used to be an intern herself. This worked very well as it meant that she had a lot of the answers to questions which I had, relating both to the internship in general and our research team.

Everyone is super friendly and has time for you. All you have to do is ask and someone will offer help or speak with you in a meeting if you so wish. The office is a lovely place to work in and feels energising too. You really feel like you're working towards a real goal of beating cancer and that your work and everyone else's work is helping the company to achieve this goal.

I have enjoyed my internship overall. The biggest strengths were that it allowed me to network with new people who work in an environment which I could see myself working in. I also learned many valuable skills which can be added to my CV for future applications. The side I didn't enjoy so much was the lack of social events across the internship and the small impetus to come into the office. This meant that at comes it could feel quite lonely.

Yes

Be yourself. Cancer Research UK is very much centred around its staff and their personalities so do not try and be someone that you're not. Also, showcase your willing to work as the workload can be intense at times so you must show that you can manage deadlines, responsibilities and be flexible to work on different projects. Finally, make sure you apply as this is an opportunity which you do not want to miss!