We are seeking a motivated candidate driven by intellectual curiosity to join the Musculoskeletal Team as an Apprentice within the Resolution of Inflammation Focus Area. As an Apprentice, you will have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn from a variety of experienced professionals within a cutting-edge pharmaceutical research environment while pursuing a university degree.
Qualification Requirements
5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grade A*-C (4-9) Inc Maths, English and Science, and
You must have gained a minimum of 80 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A-level subjects including Biology (or equivalent, e.g. BTEC) and an additional Science or Maths.
Salary - £21,000 per annum
Annual salary review. Apprenticeship programme has a salary structure with annual increases subject to progress on the apprenticeship and performance in the workplace.
Benefits
Holiday Allowance - 28 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
Flexible working
Casual dress
Discount schemes
Employee Assistance programme
Onsite parking
Onsite canteen
Paid sick leave once out of probation
Days off for volunteering
Employee recognition / awards
Location - Currently: UCB Biopharma UK
216 Bath Road,
Slough, Berkshire, SL1 3WE
Moving soon to: Sunninghill Road,
Windlesham,
Surrey, GU20 6PP
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with 1 hour lunch break.
Duration - 60 months
Start Date - September 2026
Interview Date - August 2026
Closing Date for Applications - 7th August 2026
To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. Once you submit, you will receive an email to verify your email address that will then submit your application to us. If you do not receive an email confirming your application, please check with us that this has been submitted.
If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on recruitment@cogentskills.com for assistance
Next Steps
Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.
The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager
The Resolution of Inflammation Focus Area is a dynamic and multicultural team including experienced scientists ranging from cell to tissue biologists including in vitro and in vivo pharmacologists. Within this Focus Area, the Musculoskeletal Team supports the biology of the early stage drug discovery process of targets relevant to skeletal disorders.
As an Apprentice, you will balance work-based learning with academic studies, applying theoretical knowledge to practical research challenges. Starting with building an understanding of the scientific method you will implement your new skills to contribute to the drug discovery process. You will create solid foundation in the anatomy of the skeletal tissues and the pathobiology of skeletal conditions while supporting research activities aimed at understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human diseases.
In the lab you will learn key techniques utilised in early drug discovery including cell and tissue culture of primary cells, molecular biology, flow cytometry, histology and imaging. In addition to classic single cell 2D cultures, you will become familiar with complex in vitro models such as 3D cultures, organoids and organ on a chip, which are increasingly being used within the drug discovery process as they better mimic human physiology, improve translational relevance and enable disease modelling. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the generation of large data sets and to learn bioinformatics tools enabling analysis and visualisation of such data sets. Part of the role will require troubleshooting and optimisation of specific techniques as well as critical thinking. As part of your role, you will maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in compliance with company standards. A dedicated supervisor and mentor will guide and support you during your time at UCB, making sure you receive all the trainings required for you to work in the lab, analyse and interpret scientific data, prepare and deliver scientific presentations.
As well as working with colleagues within the Resolution of Inflammation Focus Area, the role will also allow interaction with colleagues from other departments allowing a complete understanding of the industry working mode.
By developing your technical and soft skills you will have the opportunity to contribute to advance our early stage drug discovery efforts.
Curiosity and eagerness to learn
Critical thinking and problem solving
Integrity and ethics
Verbal and written communication skills
Skills required
Good written and oral communication skills
Ability to deliver assignments to timelines
Problem solving skills
Good numerical and IT skills
Personal qualities
Highly motivated
Scientific curiosity and will to learn
Focused and with good attention to detail
Demonstrates reliability and integrity
A team worker and considerate to members of team and wider organisation
Qualification to be delivered: BSc Applied BioScience
Apprenticeship Standard: Level 6 Scientist
Training Provider: University of Kent
Delivery model: Online
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business. The training will expose the apprentice to a wide range of skills and competencies which would make them well placed for further study or suitable for many job opportunities in the life sciences sector.
Please ensure that you currently live within or can relocate to a commutable distance of the site
The individual will be working within a laboratory environment and must therefore adhere to site dress code procedures and personal hygiene standards during testing activities (e.g. correct use of PPE such as laboratory coats and glasses; and removal of all jewellery and make-up upon entry into controlled clean room areas).
The individual will be required to handle hazardous materials (e.g. chemicals, microorganisms) and so must adhere to the relevant procedures.
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on neurology and immunology.
UCB’s ambition is to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on neurology and immunology disorders – putting patients at the centre of our world. We are Inspired by Patients, Driven by Science and are now more than 9000 people in all four corners of the globe.
Our medicines treat millions of people around the world, and we are engaging with patients, their families and healthcare professionals to address their unmet needs. We want to enhance our understanding of disease and the real-life experiences of patients so that our teams can deliver the right drug and the right care to the right patient.
UCB is continuously working to advance science and embrace new knowledge. We are leveraging scientific advances and skills in areas such as genetics, biomarkers and human biology. Patients inspire us to bring them value through cutting-edge science, innovative treatments, and practical solutions – so that they and their carers can get on with their lives
Cogent Skills is the skills specialist for the UK science and technology sectors. Our purpose is to make sure your business, your people and our industry are future-ready.
As a not-for-profit organisation with a family of commercially-focused companies, we are committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions of the sector.
We have been named one of the best medium-sized employers in the UK in The Sunday Times Best Place to Work 2024.
We offer a diverse range of market-leading skills services, from process safety and competency solutions in high-hazard industries to end-to-end apprenticeship services for some of the world’s leading science, manufacturing and technology employers.
