Research Scientist Apprenticeship (level 7) - UCB

UCB; England; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job description

Qualification Requirements

• Undergraduate degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant Applied Chemistry discipline.
• Applicants without these qualifications will be looked at on a case-by-case basis and any evidence of previous study and work-placed experience will be taken into consideration.

Salary - £28,000 per annum
Annual salary review. Apprenticeship programme has a salary structure with annual increases subject to progress on the apprenticeship and performance in the workplace.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus 8 Bank Holidays
• Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
• Casual dress
• Discount schemes
• Employee assistance programme
• Onsite parking
• Onsite Canteen
• Paid sick leave once out of probation
• Days off for volunteering
• Employee recognition / awards

Location -

Currently: UCB Biopharma UK, 216 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3WE

Moving soon to: Sunninghill Road, Windlesham, Surrey, GU20 6PP

Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00 am – 17:30 pm with 1 hour unpaid lunch break.

Duration - 27 months plus 3 months for MSc

Start Date - July 2025

Interview Date - May/June 2025

Closing Date for Applications - 8^th May 2025

To Apply

To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on [e-mail] for assistance.

Next Steps

Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.

The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager along with your application form to decide who is brought through to the final interview.

Job Description

At UCB our ambition is to offer patients innovative new medicines and ground-breaking solutions that go beyond the drug. This commitment to carrying cutting-edge scientific research that is driven by the patients' needs can only be achieved with scientists that are equipped with skills to adapt to new technologies and have the ambition to deliver innovative new products.

The apprentice will work within the UK Discovery Chemistry group, at the forefront of innovative scientific discovery in areas including Immunology and CNS disease. Within this group we work on both ‘small molecule’ projects and peptide projects. As part of a team focused on cutting-edge peptide research, you will join our mission to design and make peptides as potential medicines.

Job Responsibilities

Following training the apprentice will play a vital role supporting peptide research at UCB, through solid phase peptide synthesis and solution phase peptide chemistry, purification and analysis.

Training will include:

• Use of automated peptide synthesiser.
• Use of automated purification equipment.
• Application of solution-phase chemistry to peptide synthesis.
• Analysis of peptides using a variety of instrumentation.

The apprentice would have additional responsibilities in the Compound Management team, to support the registration and shipment of samples worldwide. Compound Management is a critical activity to ensure that newly synthesised compounds are shipped to the right destination, in the right format and at the right time. The apprentice would work primarily with the Compound Management team in Belgium and the UK and coordinate shipments to our US sites. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the drug discovery process and work with colleagues in different departments. Training will include:

• Use of Compound Management IT systems.
• Reformatting of compounds and preparation of samples for shipment.

We anticipate that the apprentice will allocate approximately 80% of their time to peptide-related tasks and 20% to compound management responsibilities.

Candidate Requirements

Skills required

• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to deliver assignments to timelines
• Problem-solving skills
• Good numerical and IT skills

Personal Qualities

• Focused and with good attention to detail
• Demonstrates reliability and integrity
• Highly motivated
• Team worker and considerate to members of team and wider organisation
• Scientific curiosity and will to learn

Training To Be Delivered

Qualification to be delivered: Level 7 Research Scientist apprenticeship including Master's degree in applied Drug Discovery and Development

Apprenticeship Standard: Research Scientist

Training Provider: University of Kent

Delivery model: Online

Future Prospects

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business. The training will expose the apprentice to a wide range of skills and competencies which would make them well placed for further study or suitable for many job opportunities in the life sciences sector.

Things To Be Considered

• Please ensure that you currently live within or can relocate to a commutable distance of the site.
• The individual will be working within a laboratory environment and must therefore adhere to site dress code procedures and personal hygiene standards during testing activities (e.g. correct use of PPE such as laboratory coats and glasses; and removal of all jewellery and make-up upon entry into controlled clean room areas).
• The individual will be required to handle hazardous materials (e.g. chemicals, microorganisms) and so must adhere to the relevant procedures.

The work pattern involves day and shift working dependent upon the needs of the business.

About UCB

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.

UCB’s ambition is to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on neurology and immunology disorders – putting patients at the centre of our world. We are Inspired by Patients. Driven by Science and are now more than 9000 people in all four corners of the globe.

Our medicines treat millions of people around the world, and we are engaging with patients, their families and healthcare professionals to address their unmet needs. We want to enhance our understanding of disease and the real-life experiences of patients so that our teams can deliver the right drug and the right care to the right patient.

UCB is continuously working to advance science and embrace new knowledge. We are leveraging scientific advances and skills in areas such as genetics, biomarkers and human biology. Patients inspire us to bring them value through cutting-edge science, innovative treatments, and practical solutions – so that they and their carers can get on with their lives.