Life Science Career at Sanofi | Apply Now
A life science career in global biopharma starts with the right opportunity—and this role at Sanofi offers exactly that. This industrial placement scheme provides hands-on experience in vaccine research and antibody discovery, making it ideal for students aiming to build strong foundations in laboratory science. If you are exploring life science jobs in Cambridge, this opportunity places you at the heart of cutting-edge research with real-world impact.
- Job Position: Research & Development Laboratory Industrial Placement Student
- Company: Sanofi
- Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Start Date: 1 July 2026
- Duration: 14 months
- Work Model: Hybrid – minimum 3 days per week on-site, with the expectation that up to 5 days per week on-site may be required depending on business and project needs.
About the Company
Sanofi careers are built on innovation, science, and global impact. We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.
Job Description
The Infectious Diseases & Vaccines (IDV) group at Sanofi is an R&D team funded by the Gates Foundation, working on global health projects focused on malaria, antigen design, and antibody discovery through collaborations with leading academic institutions. As a Laboratory Industrial Placement Student, you will be part of a collaborative research team supporting vaccine and antibody discovery programmes, contributing to pipeline development and delivery activities. This role offers hands-on experience in laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISAs, cell-based assays, and single-cell sorting, while working across multiple disease areas. You will gain exposure to different stages of the research process in a real R&D environment, helping advance innovative vaccines and therapies—making it a valuable step forward in your life science career.
QualificationsÂ
A life science career starts with the right academic background and essential skills.
- Currently in your 2nd or 3rd year of an undergraduate degree (Life Sciences or a related field)
- Basic understanding of biological sciences and an interest in laboratory research
- Clear and confident communication skills (written and verbal)
- Well-organised with strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Team-oriented mindset with willingness to learn
- Good level of English (written and spoken)
Preferred Skills
A life science career can be strengthened with additional foundational knowledge and curiosity to learn.
- Foundational knowledge of life sciences, research and/or immunology
- Interest in learning how to document experimental work and results in an industry setting
- Motivation to develop scientific writing and laboratory communication skills
Key Responsibilities
A life science career in research requires strong practical and collaborative contributions.
- Support experimental work across vaccine and antibody discovery programmes, including sample processing and laboratory workflows
- Apply and develop key laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry, ELISAs, cell-based assays, and single-cell sorting
- Contribute to the generation and analysis of experimental data across multiple research projects
- Maintain accurate and well-organised records of experiments and results
- Share findings with the team through discussions and presentations
- Collaborate with scientists across different projects and research areas
- Support the smooth day-to-day operation of the laboratory environment
What You’ll Gain
- Hands-on experience in a real research laboratory environment
- Practical exposure to key techniques used in vaccine and antibody research
- Insight into how early-stage research contributes to the development of new medicines and vaccines
- Experience working in a collaborative, global scientific environment
- Confidence presenting and discussing scientific findings
- Skills and experience to support your future career in science or healthcare
