Laboratory Scientist Higher Apprentice Review

I am a Laboratory Scientist at MedImmune and work as part of the Protein Engineering Department. This is involves altering DNA sequences of antibodies (proteins) to change the 3D structure of it, the aim of this work is to make an antibody more likely to bind to its target to fight the disease. I must plan these experiments in advance so that I can order in the required equipment and reagents (e.g. primers). As well as this I use part of my time to study towards a degree in BioScience Technology.

In the short amount of time I have been here (just less than 5 months), I have learnt lots of scientific techniques - mainly in molecular biology, e.g. Aseptic Technique. I have learnt how to use Gel electrophoresis to determine the size of my DNA or Protein, how to use a PCR machine, a plate washer for ELISAs, and how to measure concentrations. I have also developed my time management and organisational skills to balance work and study, as well as meetings and training.

I love being part of this programma and think it is a brilliant alternative to going to University. I have access to higher education without the price tag whilst gaining the all-important industry experience that employers are searching for. I work with many inspiring, amazing people and I'm really enjoying being about to get actively involved in scientific research immediately after finishing my A-levels.

AstraZeneca/MedImmune are extrememly large companies so it is difficult to be widely recognised in the company. However, within the groups I am familiar with - such as my team, and in the apprentice community - I do feel valued and that I am a part of both of these teams. I also have felt valued in the groups I have been less familiar with, such as in training sessions (which can involve working with anbody in the company) and I believe I have been an active part of these with my views and opinions being valued by the leaders and other participants.

All of the inductions are well planned out and were organised in my calendar for me (and the Visual Directory allows me to find all the rooms easily). I know when I need to study and how the years are broken up in terms of modules. In the lab we are all aware of our specific lab jobs and areas of responsibility. I have weekly informal meetings with my manager to plan out the week and I also have regular meetings with my training representatives.

I am always able to ask my manager (or other employees) questions about what I am doing or how to do something. My training representatives and University representatives are only an email away, with no question being a silly one. There is also plenty of information on the websites we are provided access to. Our training representative travels here to have meetings with all the apprentices regularly.

My manager responds to emails very quickly, or if I go to her directly she is always happy to help me and answer my questions - even if they are ones that I've asked before, or seem silly. I am regularly provided with resources to improve my learning and skills in the lab and improve my independence in the work place. I can also go to the rest of my team if I want to ask them for help and guidance.

This was a great salary to start on when I was only 18. I am able to rent a decent room in a house share, and I can afford to drive home and see my family and friends every week. I also have a reasonable amount left over for social events and some to put into savings.

We have a website called 'The Guide' which informs us of scientific, social, sports etc events in and around the Cambridge, directly targeted at AZ/Medi employees. There are opportunities to visit other partners of the company (e.g. Spirogen) and going to conferences, as well as social events.

Yes

At AzstraZeneca/MedImmune you are at the forefront of where Chemsitry and Biology meet and produce life saving medicines that a wide variety of people - friends and family - will use now or in years to come. The company is always making sure that we are able to work efficiently, to the best of our ability, whilst enjoying ourselves.

Make sure you do your research so you know exactly what role you are applying for and what it ivolves - there are so many different roles at MedImmune and AstraZeneca. When being interviewed they will be very connected with the science, but still very insterested in any activities you are ivolved in outside of the workplace.