Year in industry placement | Formulation Development

Key Responsibilities Supporting the development of Freeze-Dried Formulations for High-Concentration ImmTAX Molecules
This internship offers an excellent opportunity for a Year-in-Industry student to gain practical experience in biopharmaceutical formulation development, with a strong focus on lyophilisation (freeze-drying). The intern will work within Immunocore’s formulation development team to support experimental studies aimed at improving the stability and shelf-life of protein-based therapeutics developed using our ImmTAX platform.
Immunocore is a biotechnology company pioneering T cell receptor (TCR) technology to treat serious diseases, including oncology. Our ImmTAX molecules are engineered to guide T cells to recognise and eliminate diseased cells that may otherwise escape immune detection. While liquid formulations are commonly used for biologics, they can present significant challenges—particularly for high-concentration products, where proteins are inherently marginally stable and prone to aggregation, viscosity-related issues, and chemical degradation. When liquid formulations are not suitable, freeze-drying (lyophilisation) offers an alternative approach to preserve molecular integrity and improve long-term stability. This process involves freezing the product and removing water as vapour by sublimation, helping maintain the structure and activity of sensitive proteins while enabling more flexible storage conditions.
This placement will provide the intern with a solid foundation in fundamental lab work such molar calculations, pH, UV-spectroscopy, osmolality and conductivity measurements that will set them up for future studies and careers within science. The intern will also gain hands-on experience in formulation science and exposure to advanced analytical techniques such as freeze-drying microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and impedance profiling (Lyotherm 3), and valuable insight into the biopharmaceutical development process. It will also offer a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in stabilising biologics and demonstrate how formulation strategies influence therapeutic performance, manufacturing feasibility, and patient delivery systems.
Participate in early-stage formulation development and stability studies.
Data Analysis & Documentation
Record observations accurately in laboratory notebooks following company procedures.
Analyse experimental data and prepare summaries for internal reports and presentations.
Work closely with formulation scientists and CMC teams to learn about integrated development processes.
Operate laboratory equipment in accordance with safety guidelines.
Follow company Health and Safety policies at all times, especially within a laboratory environment.
Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program and seeking a Year-in-Industry placement in one of the following disciplines:
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Chemical Engineering
Physical Chemistry
Or a related scientific field
Join Immunocore for a paid placement and gain insights from our innovative science and corporate growth. You’ll enjoy 25 days of annual leave (pro rata), pension scheme eligibility, and access to our active Sports and Social Club with subsidized events.
Please note this is a full-time position is based at our Abingdon, Oxfordshire office and contracted through a third party.
The application deadline is 9th January 2026, with phone interviews starting shortly after. Please only apply if you are currently undergoing a degree with a placement year (sandwich year).
IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.
Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.
At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.
As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.