Technician Scientist Apprentice Review

My role day to day involves caring for research rodents. I look after the animals, treat them with test agents, collect samples and raw data. Outside of the lab, I also work on a project to research certain areas of oncology. I attend meetings, analyse data and present study findings.

I have learnt lots of new skills. I’d never worked with animals before, or known what was really involved in in Vivo work. Now I have a large and wide range of desirable skills, not just in Vivo but general biological laboratory skills. I also have had the opportunity to learn tissue culture, compound formulation and ex Vivo sample analysis.

The programme is very challenging, but equally rewarding. It gives me lots of opportunities you wouldn’t get elsewhere at such a young age. I have had a wide range of skills, experiences and opportunities. It is a lot of work, and only working 80% of the time (20% for education) it can be challenging, but totally worth it.

My working programme is very well organised and structured. I have clear job roles, opportunities and a organisation. I have a line manager and supervisor, as well as unofficial mentors who I can reach out to. There’s also an amazing apprenticeship team who are approachable and helpful 24/7/365.

My employer in general is very supportive. My direct manager and supervisor are amazing and supportive. The apprenticeship team are always there if I’ve needed them, no matter the issue. Any problem that could be solved from my employer, has been. I couldn’t complain about my employer support.

My training provider have a rather hands off approach. I have a quarterly check-in meeting with my non-academic supervisor, who is lovely and helpful. In terms of academic support, we are very much left to our own devices, and given the lecturer’s email if we have questions on the module. More academic support and direct teaching time could definitely be given.

My academic qualification is quite a broad and general biology degree. In some modules it is super relevant to my job roles and really helpful to my professional development / performance. In other modules, it doesn't apply at all and won’t be beneficial unless I go through a career change in the future.

AstraZeneca has a lot of social activities. There are regular departmental social events and sports teams. As an early career person, we have a group that organise multiple social AND professional events each month. As an apprentice we have a further social committee who organise regular social events. There is never a lack of events!

Yes

AstraZeneca is a very supportive company, with extremely good benefits. The pay is good, health and monetary benefits are good, and the opportunities you get working for AstraZeneca are immense. Working of AstraZeneca is a fantastic place to work as you get lots of opportunities you wouldn’t get elsewhere, and it makes you very desirable for other employers if you were to ever look elsewhere.

READ OUR VALUES. Values and behaviours are the core of everything AstraZeneca do, and make up 50% of the interviewing process, regardless of career level. Everything you do will be looped back to one of the key values, and we are constantly reminded of them and asked to consider them.