Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship-Biopharmaceuticals R&D

Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship – Biopharmaceuticals R&D

Cambridge, UK

Starting base salary of £24,570 + 11% benefits fund + bonus

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We’re deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work. For us, that includes fostering an environment where everyone can be among inclusive, supportive individuals with curious minds.

A company that genuinely follows the science and values individuals at all levels, you’ll be backed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science and continuously learn and explore.

Make the start of your journey a life changing one!

As part of our Early Talent Programme, you’ll be involved in projects and learning opportunities that have real impact from day one.

Being part of our journey and helping us to provide life changing medicine to patients all over the world and transform lives for the better. Making important contributions and embracing our values to deliver on our purpose. Because regardless of role or level, we all have an important part to play in making a positive difference.

Cambridge  

Cambridge is one of the most exciting bioscience hotspots in the world. The Discovery Centre (DISC), located at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is designed to play a central role in our mission to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. As our largest research and development centre in the UK, it will have more than 2,000 people working across therapy areas and drug discovery and development once fully occupied. 

About the Apprenticeship Programme

We have three opportunities available in our Biopharmaceuticals R&D function. Please see below for more details and indicate any preferences on your application:

Cell Engineering - Discovery Sciences

As part of the Cell Engineering team within Discovery Sciences, you'll use innovative gene editing technologies to generate modified cancer cell lines for target identification, target validation and drug development in the Oncology disease area. You'll gain extensive expertise in the use of the revolutionary genome editing technology, CRISPR, to specifically alter the DNA of cancer cells, creating novel cellular models that will enable characterisation of oncological pathways. As part of this innovative team you'll have the opportunity to improve current CRISPR methods for use in preclinical model generation. As well as learning best practise cell culture techniques and various modes of gene editing, you will acquire skills in characterising gene sequences and protein expression such as digital PCR, western blotting and flow cytometry. 

Early Stage Formulation Science

You will join the Early-Stage Formulation Sciences team, where the goal is to develop stable, effective, and safe formulations for biological products, ensuring their compatibility with delivery systems and adherence to regulatory standards for successful commercialization. In this role, you will focus on supporting candidate selection and candidate development for non-clinical and clinal development. Leveraging automation to enhance these processes and guided by scientists, you will champion the design and execution of formulation strategies across a wide range of modalities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cultivate analytical skills and scientific expertise with the aim of becoming a proficient formulation scientist

• Work collaboratively with team members and cross-functional teams to perform physico-chemical characterization of lead candidates, developability and manufacturability studies, formulation screening and robustness studies, clinical in-use studies.

• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and presentations, showcasing achievements and promoting activities to the broader team and AstraZeneca colleagues.

Early CVRM

As part of the Renal Bioscience team within early CVRM, you’ll design and execute experiments in renal in advanced, 3D vitro models to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of novel drug candidates addressing unmet needs in kidney disease. You will gain and apply proficiency in key analytical techniques—including qPCR, Western blot, and quantitative imaging assays. CVRM is the combination of cardiovascular, renal and metabolism studies at AZ. Working in this highly collaborative environment, you’ll communicate findings clearly through presentations and written outputs, contribute to method innovation, and help advance drug discovery within a pharmaceutical setting.

Training and Development

AstraZeneca will sponsor you through your Laboratory Science Degree with our university provider Manchester Metropolitan University.

https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0626-v1-1

The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time learning (on average 1 day/week). This will give you the opportunity to gain a Level 6 Lab Science degree qualification, just as you would if you went to university full-time, with the advantage of gaining relevant work-life skills and the excitement of helping to develop new medicines whilst taking your first steps towards a rewarding career.

We truly value Early Talent– their thoughts, ideas and contributions. So throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to speak up, have a voice and make an impact.

Skills and Capabilities

We would be looking for the following attributes from our successful applicants:

• Enthusiastic individuals who are keen to learn and with a genuine scientific curiosity

• Able to act independently but also to work and contribute in a team environment

• Good organisational skills with an excellent attention to detail & a proactive approach to problem solving

• The ability to work on multiple tasks and understanding how to prioritise

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9 to 5 including Maths, English and Science

To have achieved or predicted to achieve a minimum of 104 UCAS points at A-level (grades BCC) with at least one subject being Biology or an equivalent science based discipline (e.g. BTEC DMM/T-Levels considered).

Open and close dates

To apply for this position, please click the apply link.

Opening date of advert: 12th January 2026

Closing date of advert: midnight 15th February 2026

Successful candidates will be asked to attend a virtual Assessment Day on 26th March 2026

Should you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations, please let us know on your application.

At AstraZeneca, we aim to set you up for success, and we recognise the challenges that starting a new job can bring. We therefore offer a relocation package to help with the costs and process of moving for candidates who currently live more than 60 minutes from the site location for this Apprenticeship.

This is a 4 -year fixed term contract opportunity.

Start date for the apprenticeship programme is 7th September 2026

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Inclusion & Diversity: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/inclusion-diversity

Career Site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/

These positions are not open to those already educated to Bachelor's degree level or above – for which we have specific Graduate Programmes, see our website for more details https://careers.astrazeneca.com/students

#Earlytalent

Date Posted

12-Jan-2026

Closing Date

15-Feb-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.