Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship - R&D Oncology
Cambridge, UK
Starting base salary of £21,500 + 11% benefits fund + bonus
At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We're deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work. For us, that includes fostering an environment where everyone can be among inclusive, supportive individuals with curious minds.
Make the start of your journey a life changing one!
As part of our Early Talent Programme, you'll be involved in projects and learning opportunities that have real impact from day one. Being part of our journey and helping us to provide life changing medicine to patients all over the world and transform lives for the better. Making important contributions and embracing our values to deliver on our purpose. Because regardless of role or level, we all have an important part to play in making a positive difference.
About the Apprenticeship Programme
We have two opportunities available in our R&D Early Oncology function. Please see below for more details:
Oncology Targeted Discovery Small Molecule Bioscience Team: Our OTD SM Bioscience team generates preclinical data to support delivery of the next generation of small molecule cancer medicines targeting tumour drivers, the DNA damage response and epigenetics. Working within a multidiscipline team you will play a pivotal role in supporting the progression of oncology drug discovery projects through delivering robust and high-quality data using in vivo preclinical models. You should have a keen interest in discovering more about the cellular drivers of cancer and be enthusiastic to learn how to deliver experimental in vivo laboratory work.
Immune Oncology (IO) drug discovery Team: This is your opportunity to learn from a team of expert scientists in state-of-the-art laboratories and contribute to the development of cutting-edge anti-cancer therapies. Using the latest technologies, you will gain invaluable experience in how to design, conduct and analyse in vivo experiments to assess the function of our candidate drugs and help to dissect the mechanism of action of our novel therapeutics that target the immune system to treat cancer. A high regard for animal welfare, rigorous record-keeping and attention to fine detail are critical to the role.
As a member of the OTD SM bioscience in vivo or the Immune Oncology (IO) drug discovery teams in Early Oncology, to fulfil your role, you will be trained to:
* Work with laboratory mouse models of cancer following UK Home Office (HO) regulations. This will include:
o obtaining a HO Personal License (PIL).
o care for laboratory rodents following high ethical standards and closely evaluating animal welfare
o preparation of drugs and their administration to laboratory rodents through different routes
o culturing and implantation of cancer cells
o measuring of tumour volumes and analysis/reporting of their growth and responses to treatments
o Analysis of biomarkers of samples ex-vivo (protein and gene expression changes).
* Analyse, interpret, and report data results to project teams, while learning about cancer drug discovery.
* Conduct literature reviews to gain greater understanding of the science behind the drugs.
* Work flexibly and collaboratively with in vivo scientists across the oncology portfolio, and apply your technical expertise to a number of projects delivering efficacy, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies to aid drug discovery and development.
* Plan and execute complex scientific in vivo studies while maintaining open communication with multiple stakeholders.
* Prioritise your workload whilst demonstrating excellent team-working skills.
* Collaborate within cross-functional, multidisciplinary project teams.
* This position will require some out of hours work, including weekend work on a shift pattern, which will be compensated.
Training and Development
AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Lab Science Degree with our university provider Manchester Metropolitan University.
The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time learning (on average 1 day/week). This will give you the opportunity to gain a Level 6 Lab Science degree qualification, just as you would if you went to university full-time, with the advantage of gaining relevant work-life skills and the excitement of helping to develop new medicines whilst taking your first steps towards a rewarding career.
Skills and Capabilities
We would be looking for the following attributes from our successful applicants:
* Enthusiastic individuals who are keen to learn and with a genuine scientific curiosity.
* Able to act independently but also to work and contribute in a team environment.
* Good organisational skills with an excellent attention to detail & a proactive approach to problem solving.
* The ability to work on multiple tasks and understanding how to prioritise.
* Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Entry Requirements
Five GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9 to 5 including Maths, English and Science.
To have achieved or predicted to achieve a minimum of 104 UCAS points at A-level (grades BCC) or an equivalent (e.g. BTEC DMM/T-Levels considered).
Open and close dates
To apply for this position, please click the apply link.
Opening date of advert: 13th January 2025
Closing date of advert: midnight 16th February 2025
Successful candidates will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment Day during w/c 24th March 2025
Should you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations, please let us know on your application.
At AstraZeneca, we aim to set you up for success, and we recognise the challenges that starting a new job can bring. We therefore offer a relocation package to help with the costs and process of moving for candidates who currently live more than 60 minutes from the site location for this Apprenticeship.
This is a 4-year fixed term contract opportunity.
Start date for the apprenticeship programme is 1st September 2025
Date Posted
13-Jan-2025
Closing Date
16-Feb-2025
Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form. #J-18808-Ljbffr