12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): R&D, Biopharmaceutical and Oncology na AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca · Cambridge, Reino Unido · Onsite
- Escritório em Cambridge
12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): R&D, Biopharmaceutical and Oncology
Cambridge
£26,000 Base Salary, Bonus & Flexible Benefits
Do you want to be part of a team of supportive, collaborative and likeminded peers to develop your expertise? Then Astra Zeneca might be the one for you!
About AstraZeneca:
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we‘re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society.
About the University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS) Programme:
Join a Truly Inclusive and Supportive International Team.
As an AstraZeneca placement student, there is a huge network of support available to you. You’ll have a dedicated supervisor, a supportive early talent peer network, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups you can join.
We help and empower each other, and our supervisors are committed to providing you with all the guidance and support you need to build your skills, confidence and capabilities.
Whatever your background and experience, you'll be welcomed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions and share knowledge. You will be a valued part of an international team of truly supportive, collaborative and inclusive individuals.
About the Programme
The BioPharmaceuticals and Oncology Research & Development (R&D) Undergraduate Industrial Placement Programme provides the opportunity for you to undertake a 12-month laboratory-based placement that will introduce you to the world of innovative drug discovery. There are placements encompassing multiple types of projects within the following areas:
Biologics Engineering
Discovery Sciences
Biopharmaceutical Development
Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences
Early CVRM (Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism)
Early Oncology
You’ll get to do meaningful work in a pioneering research and development driven organisation. As well as developing the skills, knowledge and connections that will set you up for success you will be among curious, passionate and open-minded people eager to learn, follow the science, and grow as professionals in a truly collaborative and global team.
We will allocate successful candidates to business areas based on their skills, experience and also preferences indicated in their applications.
Overview of Research areas
Early Oncology
Early Oncology is dedicated to discovering and developing new treatments for cancer at its earliest stages of scientific translation. The department’s research explores cancer biology, utilizes genomic and molecular profiling, and investigates novel cancer targets. Early Oncology works to identify, validate, and progress new therapies—including small molecules, biologics, and drug combinations—into early-phase clinical development, aiming to transform outcomes for cancer patients.
Biopharmaceutical Development
Biopharmaceutical Development focuses on translating innovative biological and chemical drug candidates into therapies suitable for clinical testing and eventual commercialization. The early-stage research here centres on formulation, analytical development, and process optimization for biologic molecules (such as antibodies, proteins, and peptides). The department works closely with research teams to ensure new therapies have the right properties for scale-up, stability, and delivery.
CPSS (Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences)
Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences (CPSS) investigates the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and toxicity of new drug candidates. The team’s research identifies the optimal dose, predicts human response, and ensures the safety of investigational medicines before they reach clinical trials. CPSS provides preclinical data that supports regulatory submissions and informs clinical trial design.
Biologics Engineering
Biologics Engineering focuses on the design, creation, and early validation of next-generation biologic therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. Their research employs advanced protein engineering, molecular biology, and cell line development to generate molecules with improved efficacy, safety, and manufacturability for various therapeutic areas, including oncology and immunology.
Discovery Science
Discovery Science underpins the initial research that identifies novel drug targets and disease mechanisms across multiple therapeutic areas. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies—including high-throughput screening, omics, and computational biology—Discovery Science provides critical biological insights, develops new assays and models, and supports early target validation and hit identification for the AZ research pipeline.
Early CVRM (Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism)
Early CVRM focuses on the identification, validation, and progression of new drug candidates for diseases related to the heart, kidneys, and metabolic system (such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and heart failure). The group’s basic research explores disease mechanisms, genetic risk factors, and the interplay between organs, with the goal of innovating first-in-class or best-in-class therapies.
Please highlight your top 3 priority areas in the cover letter you submit with your application.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Required:
Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree with the opportunity within a biological discipline and the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2026.
Strong planning and organisation skills
Ability to see opportunities, learn, and apply that learning to drive innovation
Good collaboration and teamworking skills
Desirable:
A good foundation of Microsoft Excel.
Experience in interpretation of data.
Experience of working in teams (could be in an educational or employment setting or any other team work you may have completed).
Please include your CV and a cover letter in your application.
Document requirements: CVs are limited to a maximum of 2 pages and cover letters are limited to a maximum of 1 page, using no smaller than size 11 font. In the cover letter, please ensure you address your interest and motivation for the position, your relevant skills and experiences, fit with the company and how this placement will help achieve your career goals. Please also include in your cover letter which business areas above would be your top 3 priority I.e. 1. Biologics Engineering, 2. Discovery Science 3. Early CVRM.
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognising their potential.
Join us on our journey of building a new kind of organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we’re opening new ways to work, pioneering cutting-edge methods and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our journey.
Applications Open: 1st September 2025
Applications Close: Midnight 29th September 2025
Virtual Assessment Days: 18th -19th and 25th- 26th November 2025
Decisions should be communicated in the week commencing 1st December
Start Date: 7th September 2026
This position is a 12-month fixed term contract.
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/
AstraZeneca is proud to be ranked as a Top 100 ‘Best Student Employer’ in the UK by RateMyPlacement. Browse our reviews here (link)
Date Posted
01-Sept-2025Closing Date
28-Sept-2025Our 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. Candidatar-se agora
