At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. We’re deeply committed to our strategy of being a great place to work. For us, that includes fostering an environment where everyone can be among inclusive, supportive individuals with curious minds.

A company that genuinely follows the science and values individuals at all levels, you’ll be backed and encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas to push the boundaries of science and continuously learn and explore.

Make the start of your journey a life changing one
As part of our Early Talent Programme, you’ll be involved in projects and learning opportunities that have real impact from day one.

Being part of our journey and helping us to provide life changing medicine to patients all over the world and transform lives for the better. Making important contributions and embracing our values to deliver on our purpose. Because regardless of role or level, we all have an important part to play in making a positive difference.

Cambridge 

Cambridge is one of the most exciting bioscience hotspots in the world. The Discovery Centre (DISC), located at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, is designed to play a central role in our mission to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. As our largest research and development centre in the UK, it will have more than 2,000 people working across therapy areas and drug discovery and development once fully occupied.

About the Apprenticeship Programme

AstraZeneca’s Centre for Genomics Research (CGR) is part of our unprecedented Genomic Initiative involving the analysis of up to 2 million genomes and complementary multi-omics. This includes analysing the sequences of participants from AstraZeneca clinical trials and the sequence data from large population cohorts.  CGR is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic early career bioinformatician to support the growing genome analytics and informatics requirements of the Centre.

This is an exciting opportunity to enable large-scale genomic studies among AstraZeneca’s core therapeutic areas of oncology, respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic disease. See: https://www.astrazeneca.com/what-science-can-do/topics/disease-understanding/exploring-the-genome-to-find-novel-targets-for-chronic-diseases.html for more information on the type of science we do.

In this role, you will operate bioinformatics pipelines and workflows to support all aspects of genomics data processing done at the Centre. You will be responsible for managing large scale genomics datasets throughout the data lifecycle – from ingestion of raw sequencing data, secondary and tertiary analysis, result generation till data sharing with internal and external stakeholders.

What you will be doing on daily basis? You will be…

• running data processing pipelines and workflows; sometimes troubleshooting potential issues with the data, metadata or tools
• ensuring that our data is managed in line with the standards and guidelines, including managing data transfers between systems and organisations; managing metadata performing data QC and a wide range of data integration activities
• carrying out deep dives into datasets in collaboration with other groups at AstraZeneca
• working hands-on with industry leading technologies as our informatics capabilities are fully cloud-based and were designed to handle the analysis of large-scale data aiming to reach up to 2 million genomes by 2026.

Training and Development
AstraZeneca will sponsor you through Bioinformatics Scientist – Level 7 with Cranfield University. 

The apprenticeship combines working, earning a full-time salary, with fully funded part-time university learning (on average 1 day/week). This will give you the opportunity to gain an MSc in Applied Bioinformatics qualification, just as you would if you went to university full-time, with the advantage of gaining relevant work-life skills and the excitement of helping to develop new medicines whilst taking your first steps towards a rewarding career.

We truly value Early Talent– their thoughts, ideas and contributions. So throughout the programme, you’ll be encouraged and inspired to speak up, have a voice and make an impact.

Skills and Capabilities
We would be looking for the following attributes from our successful applicants:

• Enthusiastic individuals who are keen to learn and with a genuine curiosity for science
• Hands-on knowledge of genomics community algorithms and solutions
• Experience with standard bioinformatics tools, data formats and standards
• Ability to communicate with team members and non-experts, both verbally and through documentation
• A strong attention to detail
• A proactive approach to problem solving

Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grades 9 to 4 including English, Maths and Science, or equivalent international qualifications.

To have achieved or predicted to achieve a minimum of 2:1 (or equivalent) Bachelor level degree in computer sciences, informatics, statistical/population genetics, applied physics or mathematics, or an equivalent international qualification.

English language requirements as outlined in https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/study/application-guide/entry-requirements. 

Benefits, open and close dates
Opening date of advert: 4th September 2024

Closing date of advert:   2nd October 2024 

Virtual Assessment Day: 25th November 2024

This is a 3-year fixed term contract opportunity

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) 

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.