Laboratory Scientist Apprentice - Pharmaceutical Technology and Development

ASTRAZENECA UK LIMITED

Macclesfield, SK10 2NA

Closes in 31 days (Sunday 16 February)

Posted on 14 January 2025

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Summary

We are part of Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D), which is the bridge between brilliant science and innovative medicines that help millions of people. We work across the entire value chain, designing and delivering active ingredients, formulations and devices required to support new medicines.

Annual wage
£21,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£21,500 starting base salary + 11% benefits fund + bonus.

Training course
Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)
Hours
Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Monday 1 September

Duration

4 years

Positions available

3

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

  • 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
  • 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.
  • We are part of Pharmaceutical Technology and Development (PT&D), which is the bridge between brilliant science and innovative medicines that help millions of people
  • We work across the entire value chain, designing and delivering active ingredients, formulations and devices required to support new medicines – from supplies for use in early toxicology studies and clinical trials to developing the technology to ensure drugs can be scaled up for commercial manufacture
  • You will join a vibrant team that is working on the next generation of medicines and play a key role in the advancement of new laboratory techniques and technologies to support the development of new medicinal products
  • In order to bring new medicines to patients as quickly as possible while minimising our impact on the environment we need to constantly innovate
  • We aim to apply the latest advances in technology and digital science to improve our drug development process and are looking for chemistry apprentices to support us in this bold ambition
  • We have three opportunities available in our function, which includes Material Design Team, Particle Engineering Team and Data, Automation and Robotics Team
  • AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Laboratory Scientist Degree with our university provider Manchester Metropolitan University
  • The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time university learning (on average 1 day/week). This will give you the opportunity to gain a 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
  • Additionally, the apprenticeships are recognised by the relevant professional bodies at Registered Scientist (RSci) level, for which there is a requirement that the scientist will participate in subsequent continuing professional development on completion of the apprenticeship
  • 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

Where you’ll work

Charter Way

Silk Road Business Park

Macclesfield

SK10 2NA

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Your training course

Laboratory scientist (degree) (level 6)

Equal to degree

Course contents
  • Identify and use the scientific approaches appropriate to one specialist discipline required to solve problems, support new investigations and follow-up experiments in the laboratory.
  • Appraise scientific experimentation, independently design and implement new processes according to relevant literature and other data sources interrogated using data mining techniques and input from colleagues.
  • Support appraisal of scientific experimentation with numerical and statistical analysis.
  • Work autonomously to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results of laboratory work and problem solving clearly and concisely in written and oral form.
  • Comply with regulations including compliance with business rules pertaining to record keeping, data integrity, traceability & confidentiality.
  • Promote and ensure the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the workplace in own work and the work of others.
  • Use creative thinking and problem solving techniques such as root cause analysis, to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
  • Autonomously plan and prioritise tasks, review and evaluate progress against objectives and investigate alternative scenarios.
  • Contribute to the development of specific technical projects across multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Ensure that targets are met and maintained, within own area of responsibility, whilst complying with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
  • Lead continuous performance improvement within the scientific and technical environment using process mapping & analysis and root cause analysis that is informed by other appropriate principles, such as lean, six sigma, project and change management.

Your training plan

  • Apprentices work full-time whilst studying towards a BSc (Hons) Laboratory scientist (Chemical Science) degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as a Level 6 degree apprenticeship
  • Students study a tutor-supported e-distance learning curriculum and attend residential schools. The work-based projects, negotiated with employers, offer students the opportunity to apply their learning directly to their organisation 
  • The programme is primarily taught through tutor-supported online study, part-time over four years
  • Apprentices will attend a two-day induction at the University to help them get to know each other and balance undergraduate study with working full-time. They will also attend a week-long residential at our campus in central Manchester once a year, in addition to a two day mini-residential in the first year

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • 5 GCSEs (including Maths, English & Science) (grade A*-C/9-4)

A Level or equivalent in:

  • Various (with one being Chemistry) (grade BCC (104 UCAS Points))

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Literacy skills
  • Self-motivated
  • Work independently

Other requirements

The apprentice must be able to demonstrate the required attitudes, behaviours and interpersonal skills associated with the professional workplace. The apprentice must be willing to commit an amount of personal time to study. This is a 4year Fixed Term Contract opportunity based at Macclesfield offering £21,500 starting base salary + 11% benefits fund + bonus. Successful candidates will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment Day w/c 31st March 2025. These positions are not open to those already educated to Bachelors degree level or above.

About this company

At AstraZeneca we believe in the potential of our people and as an apprentice you will be given the opportunity to develop beyond your wildest dreams. We are looking for people who can share our passion for science & technology so if you feel you have the drive and determination to help us to deliver first class medicines to meet the needs of patients around the world, then we invite you to apply. Our scientific research, development and technological innovation is well respected in the industry and we support our people, helping them to go above and beyond their expectations. As a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business, our focus is on creating and developing new medicines that make a meaningful difference to patients’ lives and the UK is at the heart of our efforts to do that.

https://careers.astrazeneca.com/early-talent (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • On successful completion of the apprenticeship, candidates will be able to apply for further positions.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000296067.

Apply now

Closes in 31 days (Sunday 16 February)

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Company’s application instructions

This apprenticeship requires you to apply through the employer's website.