Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship - R&D Oncology
Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship - R&D Oncology
Cambridge and London, 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.
A company that genuinely follows the science and values individuals at all levels, you’ll be backed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science and continuously learn and explore.
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.
Cambridge & London
Cambridge is one of the most exciting bioscience hotspots in the world. The Discovery Centre (DISC), located at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is designed to play a central role in our mission to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. As our largest research and development centre in the UK, it will have more than 2,000 people working across therapy areas and drug discovery and development once fully occupied.
About the Apprenticeship Programme
We have several opportunities available in our R&D Early Oncology function. Please see below for more details:
Oncology Targeted Discovery Chemistry Team: Our OTD Chemistry team chemically synthesise and test the next generation of small molecule cancer medicines for the very first time. We are working to produce active compounds which target tumour drivers, the DNA damage response and epigenetics. We currently have 3 possible roles within the chemistry team, focussing of different aspects of chemical synthesis and testing of new oncology drug molecules:
Analytical chemistry apprenticeship (Cambridge based): Working within a multidiscipline analytical team you will play a pivotal role in supporting oncology drug discovery projects through delivering robust and high-quality analytical testing of newly synthesised drug compounds. You will use state-of-the art analytical instrumentation to isolate pure compounds from reaction mixtures and to confirm the chemical structure and purity of synthesised material. You will learn how to develop new methods to identify chemical structure and will also develop expertise in quantitatively assessing the purity of isolated material.
This role is fundamental to the successful discovery of new oncology medicines – and as your experience grows, so will your role and career prospects. You should have a keen interest in discovering more about all aspects of analytical chemistry and be enthusiastic to learn how to deliver experimental laboratory work.
Automated chemistry apprenticeship (Cambridge based): This apprenticeship focuses on the rapidly growing field of automated chemistry, which is vital for improving synthesis efficiency and delivery in drug discovery at AstraZeneca. By integrating automated processes, this field accelerates access to biological data across vast chemical arrays, enabling swift exploration of structure-activity relationships in early-stage projects. Using techniques such as high-throughput experimentation (HTE) and biocatalysis facilitates rapid route optimization, while the Direct-to-Biology approach employs automated platforms to streamline project chemistry strategies. The ultimate aim is to significantly reduce the time from target selection to candidate drug identification by 1.5 years.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of automated chemistry, contributing to high-priority departmental programs. You'll gain practical experience with state-of-the-art high-throughput experimentation equipment and collaborate on company-wide projects, sharing insights with the broader chemistry community. This apprenticeship is ideal for candidates eager to advance their skills and make impactful contributions to drug discovery.
Antibody drug bioconjugation apprenticeship (London based): This apprenticeship focuses on enhancing Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) discovery through efficient bioconjugation and data analysis. The apprentice will develop a variety of plate-based assays with diverse readouts, aiming to optimize these for multiplexing using automated liquid handling systems. A key task is constructing a semi-automated bioconjugation-biology workflow to support screening assays, aiding chemists in payload and ADC Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) campaigns.
The role involves exploring target biology and developing experiments to confirm mechanisms of action for novel payloads, including degraders. This includes tracking ADCs to understand intracellular trafficking and payload release. The workflow is designed to be high throughput, applicable to various ADC platforms, and supported by the Chemistry, Bioconjugation teams, and Assay Hub BE.
The apprenticeship includes rotations in Analytical, Chemistry, and Computational teams, offering a comprehensive learning experience across all functions within the OTD London group, crucial for a well-rounded understanding of ADC drug development.
Oncology Translational Medicine team (Cambridge based): Translational medicine is a highly specialised area of drug discovery, allowing us to understand the mechanism of action and pharmacodynamics of new molecules in clinical trials.
An apprenticeship in translational medicine and spatial biology offers a unique opportunity to delve into drug discovery by understanding drug mechanisms and effects through biomarker analysis during clinical trials. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in advanced techniques, such as capillary western blotting and multiplex platforms to analyse clinical trial tissues, including liquid biopsies. They will also develop assays for understanding drug pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of action.
Within the Clinical Translational Laboratory, the apprentice will work on early oncology projects, enhancing translational assays and technologies. This role is designed to build expertise in molecular and cell biology with a focus on real-world applications in drug development, providing a strong foundation for a career in this innovative and impactful field.
Training and Development
AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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.
We truly value Early Talent– their thoughts, ideas and contributions. So throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to speak up, have a voice and make an impact.
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) with at least one subject being Chemistry (for the Oncology Chemistry roles) or Biology (for the Translational medicine role). Equivalent science-based discipline (e.g. BTEC DMM/T-Levels are also considered.)
Open and close dates
To apply for this position, please click the apply link.
Opening date of advert: 14th February 2025
Closing date of advert: midnight 16th March 2025
Successful candidates will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment Day during w/c 31st 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
Where can I find out more?
Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
Inclusion & Diversity: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/inclusion-diversity
Career Site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.
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