R&D Bioscience Graduate Scientist Review

Item: R&D Bioscience Graduate Scientist at AstraZeneca
Rating: 4.3
Author: Anonymous

at AstraZeneca

Graduate Scheme

Pharmaceutical, Research

Cambridge

Review Submitted: August 2026

Overall Rating

4.3 /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!

4.8/5 - Overview of the Role

3.8/5 - Experience & Company Culture

5/5 - Recommendations & Advice

Overview of the Role

Overall, how would you describe your experience at AstraZeneca?

Overall, I have had a very positive experience at AstraZeneca.
From my first day I felt welcomed into the company and settled in quickly. My team was super supportive and kind. I have been given so many opportunities I may otherwise not have got elsewhere. I have been able to use amazing technology and do some really cool science!

What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?

In my first rotation I was in charge of some proof of concept work for my team in cell therapy. It introduced me to loads of new techniques and by the end of the rotation I was very confident in my work.
Currently in my second rotation I have been able to build on some techniques from my first rotation as well as incorporate new ones into my repertoire. It's also cool being able to apply my learnings to a new area of the company.

To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?

4/5

My work was really pioneering and I felt that my research was appreciated by the team when I presented at the end of my rotation

How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?

5/5

The pay is substantial and the perks and benefits are also great. For example, the private healthcare is really useful, I have used it for physio.
The relocation service was great as well for moving to Cambridge from Bristol.

How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?

5/5

I feel its giving me a great repertoire of techniques for my CV and is also helping me understand what areas of pharma I want to work in once I finish the grad scheme.

How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?

5/5

I am developing new and existing skills that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to.

Experience & Company Culture

How is the support you receive?

4/5

My transition into the company felt really smooth. I had immediate contact with my line manager and have frequent 1:1s with him to discuss progress, next steps, pastoral.
The support from my buddy has also been really helpful, discussing when experiments go wrong, transitioning between rotations, all sorts really.

How is your work-life balance?

4/5

I feel like I have been able to maintain a good work-life balance. With the nature of the grad scheme and being in charge of my project I can put as much on my plate as possible.

What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?

4/5

I think the culture is welcoming. I think people work very hard here and it can sometimes transmit to the graduate/IP level.
We are allowed an average of 1 day off a week to work from home which is manageable as I am generally needed in the lab on site everyday anyway.

How would you rate AstraZeneca initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?

3/5

I feel unable to comment on this.

How would you rate AstraZeneca CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?

4/5

AZ put a strong emphasis in the sustainability side of our work, and it feels embedded in everything we do. Such as the MyGreenLab initiative.
We also are given 1 volunteering day per year where we can support the local community.