I spent my placement working as a Junior Scientist at Erba Molecular

 "Being an international student, I realised that the best way to heighten my future career prospects in the biotech industry was to engage in the industrial masters’ programme. My interest in the diagnostics field, which developed through my other work placements such as being a part of the 2017 iGEM team representing the University of Sheffield, motivated me to apply for a position as a Junior Scientist at Erba Molecular.

Working at the company has given me the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained at university to a real-life application. I have also had the chance to explore the commercial aspects of the company, in terms of understanding the different phases involved in taking a product to market.

Harindi Jayakody

MBiolSci Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology

 "At Erba, I worked as part of the viral team to optimise the company's viral diagnostic assays with a particular focus on developing a quantitative isothermal amplification based HIV viral load assay, as part of my masters project. Working at the company has given me the opportunity to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained at university to a real-life application. I have also had the chance to explore the commercial aspects of the company, in terms of understanding the different phases involved in taking a product to market. Working as part of a team has helped me fine-tune my team working skills, whilst the numerous chances offered to present my work at the delivered semi-monthly lab meetings has instilled the confidence in me, to present and discuss my ideas with large audiences.

"Having worked at Erba, I am now eager to continue working in the biotech industry. However, I also want to engage in a PhD and have therefore decided to engage in an industrial PhD which will help me progress academically whilst gaining work experience.”