Drug Discovery Apprentice Review
at Charles River
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Science
Cambridge
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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
On a day to day basis I complete specific lab based tasks fit to my current rotation as well as a number of desk based roles, including working on presentations or analyzing data. I regularly take part in new training to boost my overall knowledge of drug discovery or specific jobs in my role.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Dependent on the rotation I have enjoyed the work I complete to different extents. However, every rotation I have done I've enjoyed or taken on responsibilities I do enjoy.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed many soft skills while at Charles River, such as presenting more frequently to build confident or improving excel and problem solving techniques. I have learnt many new lab based skills such as use of new software and instrumentation throughout each rotation.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
At times communication from both Charles River and the University of Kent has been slow. Specifically around departmental rotations from Charles River with there being a change to my next department both times I have rotated. Generally, communication from the University is very slow, with marks taking around double the expected time period to arrive and emails taking weeks to be answered.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Charles River sets up many different support routes with apprentice feedback sessions, managers, mentors and buddies.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Often replies are very slow coming through and don't always answer the question you have. We do have a meeting every 3 months with our advisors which helps towards supporting our EPA, but module specific support can be lacking dependent on which lecturer is the convenor.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Certain rotations definitely benefit more from certain modules and it has felt that doing the foundation degree has meant I've heard of most topics but don't know many details about them and for the first two years none of my modules benefited the department I was in at the time. However, the last few modules have benefited my basic knowledge to the role I am doing.
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
Charles River often hosts sports events or social activities dependent on the time of year.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Charles River to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Generally I feel I get supported by Charles River and most of my complaints about the Apprenticeship stem from communication with the University which I know Charles River are trying to help us improve.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Charles River?
Everyone is always very willing to answer questions so make sure to ask as many as you can think of.
