Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship – Biopharmaceutical Development & Centre for Genomics Research Full-time

Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship – Biopharmaceutical Development & Centre for Genomics Research

Cambridge, UK

Starting base salary of £24,570 + 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

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

Centre for Genomics Research

The Functional Genomics department in AstraZeneca's Centre for Genomics Research helps discover new drug targets by using advanced screening and validation technologies. Our work supports AstraZeneca's medicine pipeline, and the team has a strong track record of impact.

As a Laboratory Science Apprentice, you'll learn hands-on lab skills and develop digital skills in data analysis while contributing to next-generation phenotypic screening platforms that identify and validate novel drug targets. You'll work closely with scientists across the Centre for Genomics Research and with therapy area teams, including oncology.

What you'll do

• Learn and perform lab experiments: Build skills in cell biology and molecular biology; help develop, optimise, and run cell-based and phenotypic assays. You will be trained in techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, working in miniaturised plate formats under supervision.
• Support innovation and optimisation: Keep up to date with new scientific approaches in CRISPR screening, genome engineering, and functional genomics. Apply improvements to assays that help discover targets across multiple therapy areas.
• Collaborate and communicate: Work within cross-functional teams, share results clearly, and build networks across different disease areas and scientific disciplines.

Biopharmaceutical Development

Working with diverse and novel molecular modalities across all therapeutic areas, Biopharmaceutical Development (BPD) integrates cell biology, process science, molecular structure & function, solution and solid-state chemistry, advanced data analytics, and engineering, to develop industry-leading technologies.

BPD's innovative science enables high-yielding, efficient production for the most challenging and novel biologics, as well as delivery of new medicines through design of stable formulations and development of drug delivery systems. With device development, BPD is creating products with a patient-centric mind-set, transforming Research Molecules into new life-changing Medicines.

You will join the Early-Stage Formulation Sciences team, where the goal is to develop stable, effective, and safe formulations for biological products, ensuring their compatibility with delivery systems and adherence to regulatory standards for successful commercialization. In this role, you will focus on supporting candidate selection and candidate development for non-clinical and clinical development. Leveraging automation to enhance these processes and guided by scientists, you will champion the design and execution of formulation strategies across a wide range of modalities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate analytical skills and scientific expertise with the aim of becoming a proficient formulation scientist
• Work collaboratively with team members and cross-functional teams to perform physico-chemical characterization of lead candidates, developability and manufacturability studies, formulation screening and robustness studies, clinical in-use studies.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and presentations, showcasing achievements and promoting activities to the broader team and AstraZeneca colleagues.

AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Laboratory Science Degree with one of our university providers- North Eastern University London.

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.

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

• 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 BBB) with at least one subject being Biology or an equivalent (e.g. BTEC DMM/T-Levels considered).

This is a 3.5 -year fixed term contract opportunity.

Start date for the apprenticeship programme is 7th September 2026