Job Title: 12 Months Biopharmaceuticals Research & Development – Student Work Placement
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. AstraZeneca has long been an advocate of student work placement training and considers it our responsibility to help promising scientists develop into the researchers of the future, by immersing them in a world of practical, lab-based science.
Introduction to role
The Biopharmaceuticals R&D Student Work Placement Programme offers a unique 12-month opportunity to dive into the world of innovative drug discovery. At AstraZeneca, you will engage in meaningful work that pushes the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines. This placement will not only help you develop essential skills and knowledge but also expand your professional network. You will be part of a global, collaborative team of curious, passionate, and open-minded individuals eager to follow the science and grow as professionals.
Accountabilities
We offer 12-month placements at AstraZeneca’s Gothenburg site in Sweden for students from Swedish institutions. We have three distinct project opportunities within our Discovery Sciences group:
Translational Genomics:
As a lab-based scientist in the NGS/Transcriptomics area, you will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge sequencing technologies. Your contributions will support clinical and preclinical projects across various diseases, species, and drug modalities. Daily tasks include sample preparation, nucleic acid extractions, sequencing library generation, sequencing, quality control, and both manual and automated liquid handling. You will also have opportunities to contribute to method development and validation work. Effective record-keeping and attention to detail are crucial. You should be able to communicate and collaborate with team members and across global AZ functions. Our ideal candidate enjoys working in an innovative, proactive, project-focused, and goal-oriented environment.
Assays & Profiling:
At Discovery Sciences, our goal is to apply cutting-edge expertise to facilitate the discovery of high-quality targets, hits, leads, and drug candidates with proven safety and efficacy. We're in search of an enthusiastic and intellectually curious student to join our Assays, Profiling and Cell Sciences team as a Sandwich student Worker. This is your opportunity to bring to bear your scientific skills to contribute to the advancement of pivotal drug discovery projects within a dynamic and collaborative setting. The position is based at our dynamic R&D facility in Gothenburg, Sweden.
This role revolves around laboratory-based assignments, focusing on generating early DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics) data to inform the design of novel chemical entities. You'll gain hands-on experience in experiment setup, execution, data quality assessment, and analysis, enabling you to independently oversee the delivery of data to our projects. As a valued member of our research team, you'll be expected to deliver results promptly. You will receive training in operating automated liquid handling robotics and working with LC/MSMS systems. Additionally, there will be opportunities to work with other teams in the department to get experience with for example in vitro cell based or biochemical assays.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF):
This work will be focused on epithelial repair, starting with the signals involved in shaping fibroblast phenotypes driving expansion and differentiation of bipotent stem cells in the alveolar niche. This will be a hands-on, lab based, placement within the department of Bioscience COPD/IPF in Gothenburg.
The work will include setup of biological systems to measure lung repair, using monolayer culture of primary lung cells to study phenotypic changes by ELISA and qPCR, with subsequent transition towards more complex models involving fibroblast/epithelial stem cell co-culture in aerosphere’s and/or using ex vivo lung cultures. The effects on alveolar repair using different stimuli and pharmacological treatments will be measured using immunofluorescence, novel click-chemistry tagging methods and confocal imaging.
Essential Skills/Experience
· BSc or MSc or equivalent students in any Biological or Life Science aligned course at a Swedish University.
· You must have completed at least two years of your university education and be returning to complete your studies after this opportunity ends.
· Performing at a high level, with the potential to achieve a pass with distinction.
· Applicants must have the eligibility to work in Sweden for 12 months from September 2025 without the need for additional work permits.
Students will be expected to take a study break from their education to participate in the programme; this will need to be arranged by the student at their institution. Please ensure that you receive approval to take a study break from your university.
AstraZeneca is where you can immerse yourself in groundbreaking research with real patient impact. Trusted to work on important projects, you’ll have the independence to take on new challenges while receiving all the guidance you need to succeed. Our collaborative environment is designed to help you grow professionally and personally, surrounded by passionate individuals eager to make a difference.
Additional Information:
Applications are now open until January 2025, with interviews to take place in March 2025. Start date 1st September 2025. Applications must be submitted in English.
This internship is a collaboration between AstraZeneca and Kelly Services. The employment relationship is with Kelly Services partner, Poolia AB.
Please inform us if you require adjustment support when contacted to schedule an interview – necessary adjustments can be made for assessment centers.
Ready to make an impact? Apply now and join us on this exciting journey!