Senior Scientist Review
at Charles River
Degree Apprenticeship
Research
Cambridge
Review Submitted: May 2024
Overall Rating
5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
My role is split been office and lab work. I develop and run assays in the lab as part of the projects that I am assigned and collect and analyze the data from these assays. I communicate and present my data to the clients and we then work together to discuss the data and any next steps, I also help train younger members of staff in the assays that I am well versed in.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
The programme is very enjoyable with a good range of assets available for study and a well structured study guide. The use of journal clubs that act as both ways to hone presentation skills but also put into practice the the knowledge you have learned was very helpful.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have been able to learn to run agarose gels and conventional PCRs, as well as automated patch clamping .I have also developed skills in report writing. I have also learnt and developed a new assay called DRIP-qPCR and I've learned to use a machine called the Jess which allwos for automated Western blotting.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programmed is very well structured and well laid out with a variety of papers and videos which make for an enjoyable learning experience. There is a good balance of coursework and the separation of individual topics into study guides makes it easier to look back on to find something you need.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer respects the time I I take to study on the programme and has also offered mentoring and support for any topics I have difficulty with. They also provide me with a range of tasks to help me put into practice the knowledge I gain from the course in the form of different projects, bioinformatics work and data analysis.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider has provided us with plenty of resources and support for the degree from the academics as well as other support groups from the university. They provide resources such as help with statistcs and help tailor the course to fi with the apprenticeship marking criteria.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification has provided me with the opportunity to accustom myself with journal article reading which has been useful in more exploratory projects. It has also deepened my understanding of drug discovery to allow me to partake in more meaningful discussions following important meetings and helps me understand the business side of it all better.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes there are sports teams, opportunities to attend conferences and other game nights, as well as more general social events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Charles River to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a friendly work environment with a wide variety of projects where you will be able to find something that interests and excites you. You have access to a wide range of departments with opportunities to flexibility move between departments to keep yourself engaged with the work you are doing.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Charles River?
Try and get to know people from other departments when you get here as it will give you more of an appreciation for the work you do and the data you produce, and help with networking, and may provide you with additional learning opportunities that will accelerate your development even further.
