Every year LifeArc runs a salaried industrial placement scheme for up to 12 students. They develop valuable hands-on research experience and professional skills working in our state of the art laboratories, on real live drug discovery and diagnostics development projects.

Meet our class of 2023 and find out what they have gained from the experience in the video below

Abby Stock-Duerdoth
Chemistry, University of York

“I’m learning a lot – not just about my project area, photocatalysis, but also project planning, teamwork, and understanding more about life sciences. I’ve significantly developed my lab skills and feel much more confident using many techniques and pieces of equipment.”

Alex Musk
Biomedical Science, Newcastle University 

“I have developed my practical knowledge and skills specifically within antibody discovery and next generation sequencing (NGS). Being involved in projects at LifeArc has helped me understand the method development process and how things don’t often work first time.

“We have been able to see how the science theory that we learn at university is used in the real world to impact patients’ lives. Being a placement student has also to develop me outside of the lab including helping to build my confidence and communication skills.”

Alice Richards
Natural Sciences, University of Leeds

“I have developed my practical skills and scientific understanding whilst working on live projects in the lab but equally as a person, in terms of my confidence and also how I communicate and collaborate with others.”The support network at LifeArc has enabled me to thrive and the help and guidance I have received has shaped my time here. The experience I have gained and the people I have worked alongside at LifeArc have inspired me, and I am excited to return to university and building on what I have learnt.”

Bethan Astle
Chemistry, University of York

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement here at LifeArc. The support provided throughout the year has helped me develop professional skills including problem solving which is crucial within medicinal chemistry and has enhanced my practical skills within the laboratory.”I have been able to strengthen my personal skills including both teamwork and communication skills. This placement year has been an excellent experience and upon completing the placement I will be joining LifeArc as an associate scientist.”

Bethan Newman  
Biochemistry, University of York

“The main skill I have developed is problem solving, as in science experiments rarely work first time and the ability assess the possible causes and devise a way to test and improve your experiment has been a key learning curve.

“Being able to present and communicate complex science has been a key skill I have gained through frequent presentations, and I have improved my critical thinking skills to be able to assess results from my work and papers.” 

Catherine Christabel
Biomedical Sciences, University of York

“I’ve gained more hands-on experience in the lab, including molecular biology techniques, cell culture and organisational skills, just to name a few. Aside from that, working in industry has also given me a lot of insight into the drug development process and how cutting-edge research is conducted.”

Catrin Donnelly
Chemistry, University of York

“I have developed many important skills required for working in a professional industrial environment, such as communication and working in a team. I have also enhanced my understanding of the drug discovery process.In the lab, I have gained experience using several techniques and greatly expanded my chemical knowledge, particularly in the field of photochemistry. This year has been extremely valuable to my education and I will look back on it fondly.”

Daniel Ludwikowski
Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Sheffield

“Throughout my time at LifeArc, I was exposed to an array of biochemical and cellular assays, alongside being equipped with a patient-centred acumen, emphasising the importance of translational research to cater for all patients.”

Juliet Colledge
Biology, University of Bath

“My placement has given me the opportunity to develop and learn new laboratory skills across a range of disciplines including cell culture, assay development and sera screening. We have learnt about the drug discovery process as a whole, how the work occurring at LifeArc fits in to this, and how the work done here impacts patients for the better.”

Olivia John
Biomedical Sciences, University of Bath

“I have developed skills in high content imaging, cellular assays, and assay optimisation. Additionally, collaborating with experts in the field working with state-of-the-art equipment has deepened my understanding of the processes involved in the drug discovery process.”Working at LifeArc has given me an insight into the variety of roles involved in the drug discovery process inside and outside the lab, influencing my future career aspirations and potential decision to undertake a PhD.”

Find out more about industrial placements at LifeArc