Laboratory Scientist Review

My main role is to perform activities within the protein engineering field, mutating antibodies to improve their structure and therefore increasing their binding capabilities. For this I have used various molecular biology techniques, as well as phage display. I have also had opportunities to explore other areas of my department outside my normal role.

I have learnt a vast amount of new skills so far. To begin with these were more basic such as streaking plates, starting cultures, casting gels for electrophoresis. But now I perform more complex procedures from start to finish such as phage display, screening assays, site-directed mutagenesis, ELISAs, protein purifications.

I enjoy this programme a lot because I really wanted the hands-on element that I might not necessarily have got as much if I had gone just to uni. It is also exciting that this work has a real world application and my work is helping me learn whilst actively contributing to the discovery of new drugs.

I have a lot of support from my line manager, as well as the rest of my team to help me learn new things and complete the various tasks for my apprenticeship. Inductions from the company were a little be daunting (as these were done with onboarding of regular employees too) and I started when there were very few apprentices - now there are more apprentices I think the process is more robust.

I have a lot of support from my employer; there are people with dedicated roles to support the apprenticeship programme which is really useful since there is a centralised group for organisation of training / events / questions. This is nice because it means not all queries need to be directed to our line managers. My line manager and team do also support me very well and always check how they can support my work and wellbeing.

All work is online so it not a personal, but for most modules the advisors will reply to queries by email or they can be contacted by phone if preferred. In terms of admin this can sometimes be a bit slow and sometimes confusing, but we get there in the end.

The qualifications involves elements of relating assignments to what we do at work. This doesn't always apply since not everyone on the same course has the same role, but overall I have found this useful as it encourages me to find out about areas of the business that I might not necessarily be involved in.

The company puts of many networking and socialising events, either on a department basis or across the whole site or company. AstraZeneca also has Employee Resource Groups that are great to get involved with to meet and share ideas with other people in a similar boat to you (e.g. Early careers).

Yes

My experience here has been very challenging in terms of my confidence which has been great since I've done things I would never have done myself - e.g. presenting my work to people. I love that I can learn as well as contribute to the discovery of drugs, potentially benefiting patients in the future.

Take lots of notes - there is a lot of information and your brain will not retain it alone! Push yourself out of your comfort zone and great things can be achieved. And there is no problem in not knowing something - you are there to learn (and even sometimes the more senior colleagues can learn something from you!)