Scientist I Review
at Charles River
Degree Apprenticeship
Research
Harlow
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
3.4 /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!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
2.8/5
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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:
4/5
Lab based in vitro, small molecule, biologist, planning and executing experiments for client projects. Involved in CIP and sustainability team working to improve working life for Harlow.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I enjoy the opportunity to continue my education and learning. Charles River very much support that and continuously find opportunities for me to progress. However, the Kent side of things makes it all so much more difficult - no clear schedule, communication very slow, content not updated since 2019/2020, many links don't work, too many articles/journals and video links within each week's study guide as the videos alone would take longer than a working day to watch.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, always learning new skills - benefit of working in a CRO where there are always many different projects going on where I can watch and try all these skills. Since joining the masters I've had more opportunity to be involved in assay development in preparation for my research project. Also developed my critical analysis skills whilst being on the masters through the course.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
Unfortunately Kent communication has really let the score down where the students are waiting weeks/months longer than the deadline for coursework feedback. Only got a schedule of where to be at what time the day before an in person intensive week. Too much content for 1 day a week.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Manager and local team always happy to help and coach with whatever area I am struggling with.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Many of the students had questions regarding coursework in the first module and reached out to the module conveyor and still ended up waiting weeks for a reply, even when getting close to the deadline. No marking criteria for guidance for a couple of the assignments
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The course has helped me to understand the purpose behind my job better and has taught me how to critically analyse each step which I can already tell has helped me a lot
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Rarely any social activities unless planned for someone's birthday or someone's leaving lunch. Very limited opportunity to go to conferences due to lack of funding.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Charles River to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have always had a lot of support.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Charles River?
Be proactive about your own development
