12 Month University Industrial Placement Student: Biometrics - AI Science Specialist in Macclesfield

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. At AstraZeneca, you will be part of work that matters—work that helps bring life-changing medicines to patients.

As an AstraZeneca placement student, you will be part of a wide support network from day one. You will have a dedicated supervisor, access to a supportive early talent community, and opportunities to connect through Employee Resource Groups and the wider student cohort. We want our placement students to do more than observe. You will be encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and contribute to work that has genuine value.

This placement sits within the Oncology Biometrics Information Practice team and is ideal for students interested in AI science, applied data science, and the use of technology to improve how scientific knowledge is identified, analysed, and used in drug development. As part of the team, you will explore how AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and automation can support oncology projects and improve internal workflows.

You will work on real business and scientific challenges, applying coding and analytical skills in a pharmaceutical R&D environment while learning from experienced colleagues. This means you will gain exposure not only to technical development, but also to how scientific literature searching and evidence gathering are used in practice across the drug development process.

As a member of Oncology Biometrics’ Information Practice team, you can expect to:

• Gain hands-on experience of the drug development process and how AI and data science can support oncology project teams.
• Apply coding, analytical, and problem-solving skills to real business challenges.
• Develop experience using Python, R, or similar tools to support data analysis, automation, and experimentation.
• Apply AI and machine learning techniques, including natural language processing, to scientific or operational problems.
• Explore innovative technologies that enhance knowledge discovery, workflow efficiency, and decision support.
• Contribute to internal team activities and functional forums and learn how data, technology, and science come together in drug development.
• Build understanding of how literature-based evidence supports scientific and project decision-making in the pharmaceutical setting.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Biometrics and drug development and gain exposure to cross-functional ways of working.
• Present your work within AstraZeneca, helping you build confidence in communicating technical concepts and findings to different audiences.

This placement will give you valuable experience for future careers in AI, data science, machine learning, analytics, digital health, and technology-enabled pharmaceutical R&D.

Qualification, Skills & Experience Required:

• Currently undertaking an undergraduate or integrated master’s degree with the opportunity to spend 1 year in industry starting in September 2027.
• Degree subject must be within computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience coding in Python, R, or Julia through coursework, academic projects, or personal projects.
• Understanding of the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Experience working on projects involving machine learning, data analysis, AI, automation, or related technical problem-solving.
• Interest in applying AI and data science to real scientific or business challenges.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to plan, manage, and deliver small projects or assignments.
• Good collaboration and teamworking skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical work clearly.
• Curiosity, willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for solving problems.

To support your application, please include a cover letter highlighting any scholarships, publications, work experience or extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership and teamwork.

Desirable:

• Awareness of natural language processing concepts and tools.
• Experience using AI libraries or frameworks such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, spaCy, or similar.
• Some knowledge of the drug development process and how scientific evidence is used to support decision-making.
• Awareness of the scientific literature search process and how literature searching contributes to evidence gathering in a research or drug development environment.
• Interest in applying AI to improve literature searching, evidence discovery, and knowledge workflows.
• Interest in intelligent automation or AI-enabled decision-support tools.
• Experience with data visualisation tools such as Power BI, Tableau, matplotlib, or similar.
• Experience using version control systems such as Git.
• Experience presenting technical findings to technical or non-technical audiences.
• Interest in healthcare, life sciences, oncology, or pharmaceutical R&D.

Applications Open: 4th September 2026

Applications Close: 2nd October 2026

Assessment Days: 28 & 29th October 2026

Start Date: 6th September 2027

This position is a 12-month fixed term contract.

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.