Synthetic Organic Chemistry Industrial Placement Student Review

As an Undergraduate Industrial Placement Student (UIPS) in synthetic chemistry, I applied my medicinal chemistry knowledge to design and profile novel compounds for synthesis. I then expanded on my technical skills by synthesizing these compounds in the laboratory, gaining valuable hands-on experience throughout the process. Alongside my research responsibilities, I actively participated in team meetings, engaged in volunteering initiatives, and contributed to early careers groups, allowing me to develop strong communication and collaboration skills while broadening my professional network.

Yes, my project was entirely self driven so I was fully responsible for the direction of my work. In terms of lab work, I had to be supervised all the time so I didn't have much responsibility in the lab. Outside of my project work, I had a lot of responsibility on volunteering committees for the early careers group

Over the course of the year, I have gained a wide range of new skills and experiences. For example, I spent time in the peptide laboratory exploring the use of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and its applications to my project. I also worked in the bioassay development lab, where I set up and optimized assays to test the compounds I had synthesized. In addition to these hands-on experiences, I continued my development by participating in workshops, problem-solving sessions, and lectures, which helped me to build on my existing skills and stay up to date with the latest advances in the field.

I can't fault the support and guidance that I received over the year. My supervisors and immediate team members were excellent and always gave up their time to teach me something new, troubleshoot problems or provide suggestions. Many of them also gave up time to do individual mentoring sessions which significantly helped my professional development. This attitude extended across the company as individuals who were in different departments were equally as happy to help me.

The company fostered a positive culture and collaborative atmosphere, with senior leaders being present and approachable, regularly engaging with employees throughout the office. A variety of social events were organized at the team, departmental, and company-wide levels, which helped to strengthen relationships and promote team-building across different groups. This supportive environment made it easy for me to connect with colleagues and feel part of the broader organization.

I had a fantastic year at AstraZeneca and it has been instrumental in my career development. I have gained a huge number of experience and knowledge which could have not been possible without the support from my team.

Yes