Research and Development Graduate Programme – Early Phase Drug Discovery

Are you a 2019 science graduate with a top class bachelor’s degree or master’s – or will you be gaining such a degree in 2020? Imagine turning your burning passion for science into medicines that change lives. Pushing back the frontiers of innovation. Collaborating with some of the finest minds in their fields. Working in an agile environment that stimulates your scientific curiosity. And becoming an acknowledged expert in your specialism. Picture yourself as one of the talented graduates starting our two-year R&D Graduate Programme – Early Phase Drug Discovery.
AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical business. We focus on innovative science and leadership in three main therapy areas: Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM); and Respiratory diseases. With operations in over 100 countries, we are one of only a handful of companies that spans the full lifecycle from drug discovery to the commercialisation of medicines.
Science is what drives AstraZeneca – we have a clear purpose of delivering the greatest possible benefit to patients and value to healthcare systems and society. We keep pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life -changing medicines that address significant unmet medical need in diseases affecting millions of people around the world. Over the last 5 years we have invested $25 billion in research and development to help deliver our science and our purpose. If you share our desire to make a real difference to the lives of patients, now and in the future, we believe this programme is made for you.
What does the programme involve?
The R&D Graduate Programme will give you broad experience of the drug discovery process by immersing you in real science, giving you responsibility on real projects from the outset and providing ongoing mentoring. The programme includes three rotations, which you can choose from an extensive range of placements, allowing you to tailor your development to your passion – whether this is in chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology or another branch of science. And as well as building your scientific knowledge, we’ll help you to develop ‘soft’ skills which will help you in your career progression.
Wherever you’re based, you’ll be working with colleagues who are true experts, as well as with academic institutions and like-minded scientific companies. You’ll discover how we’re pioneering more open innovation, and actively sharing knowledge and ideas to make the next scientific breakthrough.
The programme provides a springboard to great things for your future career. Through the rotations you are given an excellent opportunity to explore different areas of science which will help you to define your research interests. You will be completing novel and cutting-edge research which you could end up presenting at conferences or getting published in academic journals. Following completion of the programme over half of the graduates choose to continue their development by moving on to study for a PhD in their chosen field, whilst some manage to secure roles within the industry. What will you achieve? At the Interview stage we have different technical Interview tracks for Chemistry and Bioscience disciplines, please make sure you specify which interview track you would be most suited for during the application process.
Essential requirements
Science graduates with an upper second class or first class bachelor’s degree or master’s gained in 2019 or 2020
Forward-thinking, motivated and highly driven individuals with a real passion for drug development
Innovative thinkers with enthusiasm and energy to match their scientific expertise
Ability to work as part of a collaborative team that focuses unequivocally on patient needs
Open-mindedness to embrace different ideas and perspectives
Strong critical thinking, stakeholder management, planning, organisational and time management skills.
Graduates with good written and spoken English.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law.