AstraZeneca
12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Discovery Sciences
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12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Discovery Sciences
Cambridge
£28,000 Base Salary, Bonus & Flexible Benefits
Do you want to be part of a team of supportive, collaborative and likeminded peers to develop your expertise? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society.
About the University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS) Programme
Join a Truly Inclusive and Supportive International Team.
As an AstraZeneca placement student, there is a huge network of support available to you. You’ll have a dedicated supervisor, a supportive early talent peer network, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups you can join.
We help and empower each other, and our supervisors are committed to providing you with all the guidance and support you need to build your skills, confidence and capabilities.
Whatever your background and experience, you'll be welcomed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions and share knowledge. You will be a valued part of an international team of truly supportive, collaborative and inclusive individuals.
Are you ready to explore this exciting next step in your career? Apply today!
We discourage multiple applications to our UIPS opportunities. Please therefore submit one application to the opportunity that best matches your skills and aspirations. We reserve the right to review and progress one application per candidate based on the role's criteria and candidates' skills.
About the Programme
The Discovery Sciences Undergraduate Industrial Placement Programme offers a 12-month laboratory-based placement designed to introduce you to the world of innovative drug discovery.
Placements are available across a range of projects within Discovery Sciences, covering multiple scientific fields.
Discovery Sciences supports all therapy areas with a mission to apply world-leading expertise and technology to support the identification of quality targets and drug candidates, translating scientific innovation into safe, effective medicines for patients.
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As an AstraZeneca Discovery Sciences placement student, you are positioned to gain experience in several of the following areas:
- Cell-based / Biochemical assay design and development for robust CRISPR and compound screening approaches for hit discovery and understanding mechanism of action.
- Automation and high-throughput workflows, including robotics, liquid handling, and automated imaging.
- Development and implementation of innovative cell models using pioneering cell engineering methods and application of advanced models including 3D patient-derived organoids.
- Lab techniques such as PCR, qPCR, RNA extraction, western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence.
- Data analysis and visualisation, including interpretation of experimental results using tools such as GraphPad Prism, Spotfire, and AI-enabled approaches.
- Laboratory documentation and data integrity, including record-keeping, traceability, and reproducible science.
- Scientific communication, through presentations, posters and team meetings.
- Cross-functional collaboration with scientists across biology, chemistry, data science and bioinformatics.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving, including data interpretation and experimental troubleshooting.
- Time management, balancing lab work, data analysis and team meetings.
You will have the opportunity to do significant work in a pioneering, research-driven organisation. Alongside developing the skills, knowledge, and networks that will shape your future success, you will work with curious, passionate, and open-minded colleagues who are committed to following the science, continuous learning, and growing together as part of a collaborative global team.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Required:
- Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree with the opportunity within a biological subject area and the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2027.
- Strong planning and organisation skills.
- Ability to see opportunities, learn, and apply that learning to drive innovation.
- Good collaboration and teamworking skills.
Desirable:
- Experience in interpretation of data.
- Experience of working in teams (could be in an educational or employment setting or any other teamwork you may have completed).
Get help with your application
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To support your application, please include a cover letter highlighting any scholarships, publications, lab experience or extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership and teamwork. Your cover letter should be included in the same document as your CV, and the uploaded file should be named in the format Surname Firstname.
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential.
Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting-edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together.
Interested? Come and join our journey.
Application Details
- Applications Open: 4th September 2026
- Applications Close: Midnight 2nd October 2026
- Virtual Assessment Day: 11th and 12th November 2026
- Start Date: 6th September 2027
This position is a 12-month fixed term contract.
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 is proud to be ranked as a Top 100 ‘Best Student Employer’ in the UK by HigherIn. Browse our reviews here (link)
Dates
- Date Posted: 04-Sept-2026
- Closing Date: 02-Oct-2026
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.
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