Will Ashworth, 20, is an award-winning laboratory scientist at AstraZeneca. Here, he explains what it’s like to work for the pharmaceutical company in this capacity
I was born and raised in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, and was educated locally. After completing A-levels in chemistry, maths and biology at sixth form, I began my apprenticeship with AstraZeneca in September 2017. I knew the lecture style learning of university wouldn’t work for me, so learning on the job and having a salary was an easy choice.
I joined the process safety group, while studying for a foundation degree in chemical science via my apprenticeship. The group collaborates with chemists and engineers to ensure the safe design and scale up of new chemical processes to support the development of candidate drugs. I’ve learnt about experimental techniques and processes involved in deriving data required for safe scale-up, often testing materials to destruction. I’ve learnt how to interpret the data to avoid potentially catastrophic chemical reaction runaway and fire and explosion hazards at scale.
I very quickly became part of the group, contributing to a variety of laboratory experiments using different techniques, performing safety testing with all kinds of specialised equipment, including developing and validating a novel self-accelerating decomposition temperature screening tool. This has been recognised as further enhancing safety measures ensuring the team can provide the safe storage and transport of hazardous materials.
Since joining, I’ve found the culture to be open and welcoming. From the off, I was treated as an equal and a regular member of staff. I know the work I do is as important and as valued as other team members.
Studying for my degree
As part of my apprenticeship scheme, I study with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), which has seen three winner