Scientist Review

The placement scheme was highly enjoyable, it is a well integrated part of the culture at AstraZeneca and the 12 months are a chance to build your lab skills, your team work skills and give you a great insight into life as a scientist.

The team I was a part of were friendly, welcoming and always ready to help. I made an effort to become integrated by being available to help and to learn as well as getting to know them all as much as possible. I felt this went both ways as well!

My personally aligned supervisor supported me throughout and helped to guide my work. I was lucky to be placed with someone who I got on well with and I was always abke to approach her with questions and issues

Initially a slow start due to a few delays, and at certain times had too much on. This was the nature of the job unfortunately and I was always able to chat to my supervisor if I was having trouble either way. Fluctuated between the two but adaptable to my needs.

Definitely felt like a valued member of the team, but never felt alone with the work. The research I was doing was a big responsibility and the work I was entrusted with key to the delivery of the team but it was never too much to handle.

The confidence i now have in the lab is is so much more compared with before the placement, I was able to design my own final year project and hit the ground running with it. Additional skills like poster presenting and conference experience were things I couldn't have gained without this year. It has also been key to my decisions for my future career. Prior to this year I had never seriously considered pursuing research but I came out with a real interest in this and plan to go on to a PhD.

Professional but relaxed, my department had a great atmosphere and everyone knew each other well. Little things like a team day out and eating lunch together every day meant we enjoyed spending time around eachother more and so meant a better working environment.

The scheme has been running at AZ for a long time and so once you're in the company things go well. However, the external recruitment agency used to organise the placement was largely difficult and made things overky complicated, particularly at the start of the placement.

A good amount of time from your supervisor and team leader is spent making sure you get the most out of your placement, in particular your lab skills and poster prep,but perhaps a few seminars or events focused on personal development, similar to those used in the graduate scheme, would be a boost to the year.

I would definitely consider returning to AZ in the future, likely after completeing my PhD.

With 21 Bioscience students as well as graduates and chemistry students, there was a lot of potential for a social scene, but there were few chances to interact with them at work so it was sometimes challenging to initiate. This has been addressed somewhat with the new AZ frezhers network.

Cost of living etc in Macclesfield was fine, cheaper than when at uni.

Not great in Macclesfield, plenty of pubs and some decent bars too, though easy access to Manchester for those who prefer a big night out.

A large company means large scale activities like AZ culture team events, sports teams etc. Sometimes hard to know where to start!