drug discovery apprentice Review
at Charles River
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Cambridge
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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
I am on my 3rd year rotation, currently this involves performing cell based assays, analysing the data and improving current processes. This is a predominantly internal facing role, communicating within my department and with project leaders about the results of the assays.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The Programme has been very beneficial as every year I rotate to a new department so I have seen more areas of the business than most people. The way of studying has been difficult to adapt to with it being entirely remote learning but has the advantage of home study.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Lots of industry specific skills have been devloped, this is thanks to being in the labs everyday. I am confident working independently on luquid handlers, LCMS equipment, purification instruments and NMR machines.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Relatively well structured with different departments having different ways of training when you move. The uni side is easy to follow and has quite clear structure for how you progress through it.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Strong support for learning day to day job role and adapting to new departments. Given some flexibility with when to take study days which is good as it has proven difficult to afford to move permanently for the job.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Can vary significantly depending on which lecturer you have for each module, generally support is good and questions can be answered in reasonable time frames. Can be more difficult to access all the support due to remote learning.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
some similarities between content in modules and day to day work, often this might not be immediately obvious as the department you are in is very different to the content you are studying. Overall most modules have some relevance to the work I do.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Being located on a research park gives us access to some nice green space for walks during the day. the space is also used for rounders tournaments and a small golf course is also on site. Very few professional networking opportunities have been available to apprentices.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Charles River to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good place to learn important, industry relevant skills while studying for degree. Very pleasant place to work. Apprentices are given opportunities to develop skills and learn in lots of different areas of the business to improve understanding of the industry.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Charles River?
Take time to practice interviews where possible, likely questions, find out a few things about the company, be confident and honest when answering questions. Have a genuine interest in what it is you're applying for, just like university applications, don't apply for something you have no interest in.
