Broadening my scientific horizons

Sarah studied for a PhD in synthetic chemistry at the University of Cambridge funded by AstraZeneca between 2017 and 2021.

She is now a Senior Research Scientist in AstraZeneca's Biochemical Assay Development team.

Why did you decide to do a PhD?

After my undergraduate degree in synthetic chemistry, I had the opportunity to undertake some internships in academic labs. My curiosity and passion for problem-solving led me to pursue a PhD in chemistry after finishing my master’s.

I applied to several European universities, with Cambridge and Oxford my top choices. Cambridge was the first to offer me a position, along with an AstraZeneca studentship, which I gladly accepted.

What are the benefits of an AstraZeneca studentship?

Access to expertise. My PhD project focused mainly on synthetic chemistry. However, the project shifted direction when we required biochemical assay expertise to validate our results and advance our studies.

My AstraZeneca supervisor introduced me to the biochemical assay team - the team I'm currently working in.

I was also assigned a ‘second’ AZ supervisor, a biochemistry expert, who mentored me in conducting basic assays. This greatly benefited the project and allowed me to expand my scientific skillset beyond synthetic chemistry.

New opportunities. My studentship allowed me to take a multidisciplinary approach to my PhD. I not only designed and synthesized molecules for my
project but also tested them in biochemical assay settings.

Exposure to the industry also enabled me to expand my network, learn new scientific topics, and explore other opportunities. This ultimately facilitated my transition to a different field.

If you complete a PhD in a specialised scientific area like chemistry, it can be difficult to directly apply for jobs in entirely different scientific fields.

However, the collaboration with AstraZeneca provided me with two years of experience working with
assays.

When a position in the biochemical assay development team opened up towards the end of my studies, I was intrigued by the prospect of pursuing a career as a biochemist.

I was encouraged to apply and secured the position. Although I needed some further training, I successfully transitioned from chemistry to biochemistry.

What about the future?

I plan to continue advancing my career as an assay scientist and biochemist whilst remaining open to new opportunities.

Would you recommend an industry-sponsored PhD to up-and-coming young scientists?

Yes, I believe it’s an excellent opportunity that will provide access to expertise beyond your academic research and expand your scientific experience.

Find out more about the AstraZeneca-Cambridge PhD programme and how to apply

Back to partnership homepage