How did you find out about this placement opportunity?
When I started University, I knew that I wanted to apply for a placement year and if possible, stay within Newcastle, so began researching relevant companies in the area. I knew about Leica Biosystems as I live close by, and when researching came across a blog post from a previous placement student. Their experience sounded exactly like the type of thing I was looking for, so I then attended the Find Your Future talk at which Leica were a panellist and used the opportunity to ask questions directly. When they opened applications via MyCareer, I was ready to apply!
Can you tell us about any help you received from Academic Tutors or the Careers Service when you were applying for placement opportunities?
The Careers Service were (and are!) fantastic. During the application process, I used them endlessly for feedback on my CV and Cover Letter. Their responses were always very speedy and very detailed, which was incredibly useful. They took the time to ensure that my application was completely tailored to the job description and gave me advice on phrasing and any areas they felt I could expand on. The Careers Service were also great when I just needed some advice, whether that be about applying for placements or University life in general.
Please could you provide some background on the company you are undertaking your placement with?
Leica Biosystems develop and manufacture products spanning the entire cancer diagnostics workflow from biopsy to diagnosis. At the Newcastle site, they develop and manufacture detection systems and reagents optimised for use on their specialist BOND auto-staining platforms, utilising immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation methods, in which antibodies/probes are employed to detect particular biomarkers of interest.
What are your main responsibilities in your placement role?
Over the course of my placement, I will be working on my own project, developing new detection methods for in vitro diagnostic assays for cancer diagnosis. I also get to support other projects within R&D, which has been a really great way to understand the workflow of new product development from feasibility to validation to product launch! As part of these projects, responsibilities include completing any lab work and automated tissue staining runs, analysing results and providing updates in project meetings, completing paperwork and writing plans and reports! As a company that deals with Human Tissue, we also have responsibilities around ensuring traceability of both our tissue blocks and slides to conform to the Human Tissue Act 2004. Since starting placement I have joined our Human Tissue Authority (HTA) team as an Advocate, therefore I have further responsibilities in maintaining traceability through audits and providing guidance to other associates on use of the Biobank.
Are you enjoying your placement? Can you tell us a bit about some of your highlights to date?
Yes! I am loving my placement experience so far. Not only has it been incredible exciting to be working within research and development and seeing the development of new products but I have also had so many opportunities to learn new skills and be involved in different areas of the department. I have been trained in microtomy, histology tissue identification, and have even had the opportunity to become a COSHH reviewer and a member of the department’s Human Tissue Authority (HTA) team. I have really appreciated Leica’s encouragement to further develop as a scientist, and the opportunities they have given me to learn more about the industry and how Leica as a company sits within it. The whole department has been fantastic and have welcomed me as a member of the team – there is no question too silly to ask! They really go out of their way to make sure you get the most out of the experience and help you to learn as much as possible. For example, we have weekly IHC (Immunohistochemistry) in Action sessions, in which a consultant pathologist comes on site to talk through cases they have seen and explain how they have used immunohistochemistry to make their diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry utilises antibodies to detect particular biomarkers of interest in tissue samples and visualising these markers via enzymes/fluorescent dye. Therefore, it can be used to detect and differentiate between different cancer types.
What is the most exciting thing you've done on placement so far?
I have had the opportunity to perform validation studies to ensure a new product is ready for launch – this has been incredibly exciting knowing that I have been a part of that! It is one thing to be a part of the development of a new product, but when you also put these products in the context of their function – cancer diagnosis – it makes it even more worthwhile. I would also say that the opportunities I have had to be trained in microtomy and histology have been highlights for me, as I would not have had these opportunities during my course. I have particularly enjoyed developing these skills and they have helped me find an area of biology which I am now taking a really keen interest in and is also helping me to better figure out what I want to do post-graduation.
Please can you give us an overview of what a typical day on placement has been like for you?
I typically aim to get on site for 8am-8:30am and my first port of call is to get a cup of tea! I then usually sit in the office and check and reply to emails and Teams messages from colleagues and check my schedule for any important meetings that day. Each day can be completely different, which has been something I have enjoyed and there is always plenty to do. At the moment, my time is split 50% lab work, 50% everything else! In the lab, I might be preparing reagents for use, setting up and completing runs on our BOND automated staining platforms, coverslipping stained slides, microtomy and even just general lab housekeeping to ensure labs are in good working order. Outside of the lab, I can be analysing stained slides under the microscope, completing paperwork associated with our experiments and writing up plans and reports. Our days are also usually interspersed with various meetings, whether that be project specific or department wide. Throughout the day we also make sure to go for plenty breaks whether that be hot drinks on the atrium sofas or a quick walk across to Greggs.
How has your degree helped you to be successful on placement?
My degree has given me a really great foundation of knowledge required for the role. Although a lot of what is done at Leica is not entirely related to what I have studied as part of my degree, I have certainly found that some of what I have been taught can be applied to better understand the theory behind the research at Leica. Having had some previous experience in the lab at University, I was able to go into my placement with prior knowledge and experience in molecular biology techniques that are used at Leica.
Do you think this placement year will benefit your studies when you return next year?
Already, this placement has set me up perfectly for my final year dissertation project and beyond. I feel so much more comfortable and confident in working independently, particularly in the lab. Having the opportunity to work on my own project at Leica is setting me up with all the skills and experience I need for my final year project. I have also had the opportunity to become more familiar with COSHH, which is a key part of ensuring health and safety and will be required when I begin my final year project and thus the experience will be beneficial in ensuring I can confidently complete this. I have become more competent in working with new technologies and equipment, acting on my initiative and developing problem-solving skills which I can take with me to apply in my future work environments.
Do you feel that your placement with also equip you for life after University?
This placement has given me experience working within the industry and I have learnt valuable skills which will be hugely beneficial for my CV when applying for graduate roles. I think whilst at Uni a lot of what you learn is tailored to academic applications and sets you up for furthering your education. Working in industry requires good understanding of more technical aspects of science and specifically how biotechnology companies' function. My placement has taught me a lot about regulations, both internal and those set by external regulators such as the FDA, and thus how companies conform through maintaining quality control and standards and validation of reagents and machinery. Placement has also allowed me to better develop my interpersonal skills – being able to work alongside different groups of people as well as individually and being able to communicate well with them.
What advice would you give to students thinking about doing a placement year?
When you first start, it will be overwhelming, and you might feel like you know nothing. Trust me, it gets better and the best thing you can do for yourself is to remember that that is exactly why you are there. This year is the best opportunity you will get to learn through experience and set you up for graduate life. It is okay to make mistakes – you will make many, but mistakes are there to allow you to learn and reflect. If you are struggling, please talk to your placement supervisor as they are in the best position to help you and will want to do what they can to make sure you make the most out of your year. Finally, get involved! Your organisation will have plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in different areas of your company, so do it! It doesn’t matter that you are only there temporarily, these opportunities are a great way to further learn new skills. Finally – be kind to yourself and do the most you can to enjoy the year.
