Associate Scientist Review

I am part of a multi-functional department performing research in the Biologics arm of the business. This involves laboratory experiments, such as generating or engineering a protein for pipeline project. I attend and contribute to department meetings and project meetings. The role also involves collaborating with other department members to design, execute, and trouble-shoot experiments.

I have had the opportunity to develop my technical skills in many different functions, including molecular biology, protein expression, purification, cell culture, screening assays. My communication skills have vastly improved due to the various presenting opportunities. As well as this, I have developed my problem solving skills when experiments have not always gone to plan!

I have enjoyed my time on the programme a lot. It is good to have other apprentices around also in the same boat and also to be learning new skills directly from industry experts. It it hard work and can sometimes be overwhelming to balance the work with studying towards the degree, but my confidence has built to trust my own decisions to plan out my own time and make it work for me as well as the company.

The programme has a much better structure now compared to when I first started. Now apprentices are started as a cohort at the same time of year. The exam periods are at three different points of the year, the same every year, so there is almost always an exam period approaching (but this does mean exams are spread out rather than all crammed into one sitting). There is now better communication between the training provider and the end-point assessor.

My team are all very supportive, answering questions and giving feedback particularly for my project modules. There is a team here dedicated to facilitating the apprenticeship programme who have helped out in multiple ways. My employer also has many training opportunities. After gaining more experience and taking on more responsibility, some peers may forget you are doing an apprenticeship, so it is also good to be your own advocate and ensure you do take the time to do your 20% off the job study as well.

I have regular catch ups with an advisor from the university to talk about what I am doing, checking my progress, and setting tasks/goals for what I should be doing to complete the degree and also the apprenticeship standard. Academics can be contacted and usually respond within a few days, and also offer sessions to chat and ask questions. The online learning itself could be improved by possibly introducing more lecture-style videos.

The qualification has provided a good set of knowledge to support my lab work, as well as introducing techniques that I might not necessarily have come across in my role. It has also taught important skills surrounding project management and research methods, which are key elements that may not have been covered as thoroughly without the qualification.

There are many social activities to get involved in, which may be department based or organised within an employee resource group. Some sports teams are organised through a group, and there is gym facilities on site. There is also many networking events both on site, at other AZ sites, or outside of the company, so lots of opportunities to build your network.

Yes

Working for AZ has been a great experience due to the vast amount different types of projects to get involved with. I have been able to contribute to pipeline projects from the start which could eventually go to the clinic. It has helped me develop a lot as a person and has been a good experience to move to such a lovely location too.

If you have a strong interest in science and want to learn new things then I think this is the most important quality to have. It is good to be resilient as science often does not give the expected result, and being willing to problem solve will be a key skill. Enjoy your time as well!