Synthetic Organic Chemistry Placement Student Review

This role focusses on understanding the synthetic chemistry of reactions in a developing route to an API (active pharmaceutical ingredient). During this placement, a regular week would consist of planning experiments to carry out, carrying out these experiments whilst making sure to adequately document the reaction, analysing results and attending both team-based and technical meetings.

This placement really fosters growth especially when having your supervisor present to both teach you new skills and develop current ones. Whilst undertaking the role I was able to learn specific lab and analytical skills that were completely new to me. Alongside this I was also able to develop my presentation, collaboration and problem solving skills throughout my time there.

As the placement progressed I was given more and more responsibility to the point where I was given the opportunity to run entire team meetings and decide what was the next best step for the drug project to go in technical meetings. This is excellent as you really feel like part of team and that you are viewed as a regular scientist at AstraZeneca.

During the placement you are given constant support and guidance, which is really reassuring and ensures that you are progressing through the placement well. This support is provided through your supervisor, team and any of the scientists working there. Everyone will offer to help if you are having issues which is excellent.

Scientifically the culture is really interesting, there is a lot to learn about and there are many series such as science connect and chickenwire connect where you can learn about all of the chemistry and development going on in the department. However, there seems to be a competitive atmosphere at AstraZeneca, meaning it is hard to find out some peoples intentions and hard to get along with everyone. This makes the environment feel tense sometimes.

Aspects that I really enjoyed of the placement were learning new chemistry and having the opportunity to actually practice these and carry out new experiments in the lab. One large drawback however was the large amount of work that I had to carry out during my year there. To impress AstraZeneca I tried to take on as much work as possible meaning I had little time to complete my university work and I became overwhelmed.

Yes

Make the most out of your year there by networking with as many people as you can and learning as much as you can about the chemistry there and AstraZeneca as a whole. I would advise not to fall into the same mistake as me and only carry out the expected work so you have time to both do that and university work.