Following a range of queries from science students who are interested in using their skills within the important field of coronavirus testing and vaccine development, careers adviser Laura Aldridge gives an overview of some of the employers who are involved in this research.  This article also includes tips about how to find potential job opportunities with these companies.

What are the current tests available for coronavirus?
When a patient is displaying symptoms of coronavirus, a swab is taken of their nose or throat and this sample is then sent off to a medical laboratory so that it can be checked for signs of the virus.

The swab is analysed using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine to look for the genetic sequences specific to the virus.  There is also an antibody test available that can show if someone has already had the virus.  The antibody test uses a drop of the patient’s blood that may be taken using a finger prick blood test.  The blood sample is then placed in an electronic device to see if the specific coronavirus antibodies are present.

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) website has some useful articles about the latest developments in coronavirus testing.

Which employers offer opportunities in coronavirus testing?
The National Health Service have recently advertised for vacancies for example for Covid-19 laboratory assistants.   Coronavirus testing duties may also fall within the sphere of other roles that are advertised within the NHS.  This may include opportunities such as medical laboratory assistant, biomedical support worker or trainee biomedical scientist.  NHS opportunities are advertised here.  Opportunities with Public Health England can also be accessed via this website.

Other companies who are offering testing services include Boots, Randox, QIAGEN and Thermo Fisher Scientific.  Organisations such as the Wellcome Trust will work in partnership with these companies to boost testing capacity.  Boots are currently recruiting for Covid 19 testers, across a range of locations but these are voluntary, unpaid positions.  CK Science (a scientific recruitment company) is also advertising voluntary roles in the testing and screening of samples.  These roles will be based in several different laboratories, one of which is in Cheshire.

Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) are working with a number of other organisations under the partnership name of UK Lighthouse Labs to provide testing and analysis of swab samples from across the UK.  They are currently recruiting for 500 laboratory scientist roles at Alderley Park in Cheshire.  These paid job opportunities are open to those who are studying any degree discipline, and there are roles available for those who will finish their degree this summer, and also those who are looking for placements.  For more information about these vacancies please see here.

The National Biosample Centre analyses swabs to test for coronavirus and they are currently advertising paid laboratory roles, although these are based in Milton Keynes.  Both Abbott Laboratories and Roche are now offering antibody tests, to check if a patient has had coronavirus.

Which companies and universities are involved in research and development of vaccines against coronavirus?
Oxford University is undertaking coronavirus vaccine research and the University of Southampton is supporting them in this research.  AstraZeneca have finalised a global licensing agreement with Oxford University and the government, to make 30 million doses of the vaccine by this September, but this is conditional upon the vaccine being successful.  The opening of the UK’s first vaccine manufacturing innovation centre is expected to take place in the summer of 2021, after the government has pledged £38 million investment in it.

Pharmaceutical companies are playing a number of key roles in the fight against coronavirus.  Their work includes treatment and vaccine development, as well as diagnostics.  Companies who are involved include: Abbvie, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Limited, CEPI, Crescent Pharma Limited UK, EFPIA, Eli Lilly, GSK, Johnson and Johnson, Randox, MSD, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Pfizer, Sanofi and Takeda.

In some cases, pharmaceutical companies are collaborating to redouble their efforts.  AstraZeneca and GSK have partnered with the University of Cambridge to set up a new testing laboratory.  GSK have also joined forces with Sanofi to develop an adjuvanted Covid-19 vaccine.   Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi SA have also started a clinical program for patients who are hospitalised with severe coronavirus.

The ABPI (Association for British Pharmaceutical Industry) have detailed information on their website about the type of work that the aforementioned pharmaceutical companies are involved in.

What other type of research are universities undertaking?
The University of Liverpool have opened a new £1 million laboratory where scientists will conduct research into how Covid-19 affects people.  Their researchers will discover who in the population is at highest risk of severe illness, and the impact of the coronavirus on the human body.  They will research what is different between people who have mild and severe disease and why the immune system appears to help some people to fight the disease, but harms others.   Their researchers are also monitoring the effects of trial drugs used in patients and from this are establishing how long people are infectious.

The University of Liverpool have recently advertised for a number of job vacancies for research assistants or laboratory support roles.  Therefore, it is worth final year or Master’s students keeping an eye on their job vacancies page, to look out for any more opportunities that may come up.

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh are studying the genetic codes of severely ill coronavirus patients, in order to identify why the disease affects some patients more than others.

Where do I look for paid opportunities with these employers and how do I apply for them?
Please check on the websites of the aforementioned companies (and use some of the hyperlinks supplied) to find out more about the work which they are involved in.  To look for current opportunities with these employers, please check the ‘job vacancies’ or ‘careers section’ of their website.  When you identify any current vacancies, please then check how the employer wishes you to apply for them.  Some employers will require you to submit an application form, and others may require a CV and cover letter.  You should always follow the employer’s instructions carefully, to check that you are applying to a vacancy in the correct way.  Our employability advisers can check through your CV, cover letter or application form to provide feedback on it before you submit it to an employer.

How do I know if employers will accept my degree subject for these roles?
You will need to check each vacancy and analyse the person specification and job description for the role.  The degree subject(s) that the employer will accept for the role will usually be listed on the person specification, along with any specific laboratory skills that are required.  If you have any queries about the types of roles that you can apply for with your degree (or Master’s) subject then you can discuss this with the careers adviser linked to your programme.  When applying for a job vacancy, you also need to make sure that you demonstrate in your application form or CV, the skills and experience that the employer has outlined in the person specification.  You can also have a virtual appointment with an employability adviser, if you would like further advice about how to tailor your CV or application form to a particular person specification.

Are there any PhD studentships available in coronavirus related research?
There are a number of PhD studentships currently being advertised at different universities, both in the UK and abroad, which would enable successful applicants to carry out specific scientific research relating to the fight against coronavirus.  Some of these PhDs offer studentships that means that you would receive a salary or stipend for the duration of the PhD, and that also usually your fees would be paid by the university.  To find out more about these opportunities, you can refer to: https://www.findaphd.com/ or https://www.jobs.ac.uk/.  The Wellcome Trust also has a list of universities that it has awarded funding to, relating to coronavirus related research, on its website.

If you are interested in the option of a PhD, you may also find it useful to read our mini guide, which is titled; ‘thinking about post-graduate study’.

What other laboratory-based opportunities exist for me with my degree subject?
If you are interested in going into a laboratory based job role, following your degree (or postgraduate course) there are many other options open to you, and a wide variety of scientific industries that you can consider.  To find out more about your options, you can consult the career planning guide for your School.  Our mini guide about laboratory work experience will give you more information about where and how to look for paid employment or work experience in a laboratory setting.   Our ‘scientific graduate schemes mini guide’ will also provide you with an overview of scientific employers who offer graduate scheme options.  Please note that due to the current uncertain conditions affecting the job market, it is advisable to check the websites of these employers in the autumn to confirm which graduate schemes they will offer.

Other important advice
If you receive an offer of employment to work in one of the aforementioned job roles, please make sure to keep yourself safe.  This is particularly important if you are working in a role that involves front line contact with patients, for example in testing.  Before you take up a job offer, it is therefore advisable to check with the employer about the health and safety procedures that they have in place to protect yourself and their patients.

References Wellcome Trust (2020).   Wellcome joins the UK government, industry and universities in a step-change to COVID-19 testing.   From the Wellcome Trust website: https://wellcome.ac.uk/news/wellcome-joins-uk-government-industry-and-universities-step-change-covid-19-coronavirus-testing Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (2020).  What are pharmaceutical companies doing to tackle Covid-19?  From the ABPI website:   https://www.abpi.org.uk/medicine-discovery/covid-19/what-are-pharmaceutical-companies-doing-to-tackle-the-disease/

---

The Careers, Employability and Enterprise Team are currently supporting students through virtual appointments, which includes telephone and video conference appointments.  We are operating this service from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.  If you wish to book an appointment with Laura Aldridge or another member of the team, please telephone 0151 2318740 or email careers@ljmu.ac.uk. 

Please note that some information in this article may be subject to change.