Undergraduate Industrial Placement Student Review

I was undergraduate placement scientist and had been allocated my own 6 month project - day to day involved a mixture of lab work, office admin work e.g writing up lab entries, doing literature research, organising meetings, analysing data, presenting findings etc, team/department meetings and 1-1s with supervisor/buddies

Yes. I was given significant responsibility for planning, managing and executing my own research project from start to finish. This included independently organising experiments, troubleshooting technical challenges, analysing and interpreting data, presenting progress at team meetings, and contributing to discussions around future experimental directions. I felt trusted to take ownership of my work while receiving excellent guidance and support from my supervisors whenever needed.

Absolutely. I developed a broad range of technical laboratory skills, including advanced organoid culture, drug screening assays, live-cell imaging, and experimental design, while significantly improving my data analysis and scientific presentation skills. I also strengthened transferable skills such as problem-solving, project management, scientific communication, collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and resilience when overcoming experimental and technical challenges. Overall, the placement greatly increased both my scientific confidence and my understanding of translational drug discovery and development

received an excellent level of support throughout my placement. My supervisors and colleagues were approachable, knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions, provide feedback and discuss ideas. Regular one-to-one meetings and project updates ensured I had clear direction while still allowing me to work independently and take ownership of my project. Beyond my immediate team, I also benefited from wider networking opportunities, training sessions and exposure to different areas of the business, all of which contributed to a highly supportive and enjoyable learning environment.

The company culture was extremely welcoming, collaborative and inclusive. Everyone was approachable and genuinely willing to share their knowledge, creating an environment where questions and learning were encouraged. There was a strong emphasis on teamwork, innovation and scientific excellence, while also placing importance on employee wellbeing and professional development. Overall, the atmosphere was friendly, supportive and engaging, making it an enjoyable place to work and learn.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement and found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience. It provided an excellent balance of hands-on research, independent project ownership and opportunities to learn from experienced scientists. I particularly valued the supportive team environment, exposure to the pharmaceutical industry and the opportunity to contribute to research with real translational potential. Overall, the placement met my expectations and significantly strengthened both my scientific skills and my interest in pursuing a career in the life sciences

Yes