12 Month University Industrial Placement Student (UIPS): Flu Biopharmaceutical Development

AstraZeneca; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Liverpool is offering a 12‑month undergraduate industrial placement as part of the Flu‑BPD Undergraduate Industrial Placement Programme. You will gain exposure to vaccine development within a multidisciplinary team and work on meaningful projects that contribute to public health.

As a placement student, you’ll have dedicated supervision, mentoring, and a supportive network. Applicants should be pursuing a biology‑oriented degree and be prepared to engage across R&D teams.

Qualifications

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree within a biological discipline and able to commit to a 12‑month placement starting September 2027.
• Strong planning and organisation skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and apply knowledge to drive innovation.
• Good collaboration and teamworking abilities.

Skills

Planning & Organisation

Collaboration & Teamwork

Analytical Thinking

Microsoft Excel

Learning Agility

Education

Undergraduate or integrated Masters in Biological discipline

Job description

£28,000 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!

Liverpool, UK

£28,000 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-centered biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation 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 at AstraZeneca

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.

Are you ready to explore this exciting next step in your career?

We discourage multiple applications to our UIPS opportunities. Please therefore submit one application to the opportunity that best matches your skills and aspirations. We reserve the right to review and progress one application per candidate based on the role's criteria and candidates' skills.

About The Programme

The Flu-Biopharmaceutical Development (Flu-BPD) 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 vaccine development.

The Flu-BPD group is a multi-disciplinary scientific function providing expertise in Virology Research, Strain Development, Process Development and Analytical Development. The team is responsible for the development of candidate vaccine virus strains for the seasonal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV).

Programme Highlights

• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to the seasonal delivery of LAIV, supporting efforts to meet increasing global demand and improve public health.
• Mentorship and Career Development: Receive tailored mentorship, structured training, and regular developmental conversations to support your growth, guide your career, and help you discover your strengths.
• Unique Experience: Take advantage of this rare opportunity to sample different R&D teams and gain first-hand insight into pharmaceutical operations, all on one site.
• Develop as a Scientist: Take ownership of a project, develop project plans, refine your time management skills, and present your findings at both department and site-wide meetings.
• Enhance Laboratory Skills: Acquire proficiency in key laboratory techniques spanning virology, molecular biology, and analytical testing.

Required

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree within a biological discipline and the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry stating in September 2027.
• 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).

To support your application, please include a cover letter highlighting any scholarships, publications, lab experience or extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership and teamwork. Your cover letter should be included in the same document as your CV, and the uploaded file should be named in the format Surname, First name.

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: 4th September 2026

Applications Close: Midnight 2nd October 2026

Virtual Assessment Day: 18th November 2026

Start Date: 6th September 2027

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 HIGHERiN. Browse reviews here (link)

#EarlyTalent

Date Posted

08-Sept-2026

Closing Date

02-Oct-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.