Meet Hadley

Hi, my name is Hadley Coonley and I work at AstraZeneca as a Programme Manager.

What will Postdoc scientists get out of the programme?

We hope that, principally, the postdoc will have an excellent scientific experience here at AstraZeneca. With access to significant resources and exposure to the cut and thrust of drug discovery, we view the programme as a launch pad for the next steps in your career, whether it’s in a big company or start-up. We’re also very committed to ensuring postdocs publish well from their time at AstraZeneca and have the chance to attend the best conferences in their fields. This ensures they leave AstraZeneca with a very attractive set of achievements and experiences.

In the opposite direction, I’ve always found that postdocs bring a lot of energy, enthusiasm and excitement for science to our labs and inspire the scientists around them. Together the postdoc experience at AstraZeneca can be very rewarding for all of those involved in the programme.

How does the programme mix academia and industry?

On the programme you have your own academic supervisor and are expected to bring them in to engage with your project. I think this gives our research projects real academic credibility, because you have access to an absolute expert in your field for advice and help with experiments, potential access to tools and reagents and support in publishing. It’s all designed to make sure you, as a postdoc, get as much out of your time with us as you possibly can. 

How does AstraZeneca differ from other companies?

AstraZeneca has committed to the Postdoc programme as a leading source of scientific innovation for the company. I don’t see such an investment in many other places. For instance, we’re making investments in emerging technologies such as gene editing, stem cells and advanced drug delivery. Working in such areas can really give Postdocs an advantage as they move beyond AstraZeneca.

I truly believe AstraZeneca has a more open, supportive and team-focused culture than you would find in a lot of other scientific organisations. Exposure to such an environment can only enrich the postdoc experience.