ALS have a range of vacancies from entry level positions to senior roles at various locations across the UK. Samuel Weston joined ALS around 3 months ago and he gave a short insight into what is it like to join ALS.

Sam attended The University of Sheffield and studied for a BSc in Bio sciences and once graduating, he worked in a general office but he always knew his passion laid with science and then along came an opportunity to join ALS.

Sam said ‘I wanted to use my degree and find a career doing what I enjoy. When I first joined ALS there was a good induction process including health and safety training and everyone was very welcoming. I spent around 6 weeks undertaking a variety of practical hands on training throughout the department that allowed me to get to grips with that I was doing and someone was always there for me to ask questions and support me in this time. This gave me the knowledge and confidence to work independently and I found it exciting trying new tasks in a working laboratory as my previous experience was in an educational laboratory.’

Here at ALS we pride ourselves on a thorough induction process that supports all new employees with everything they need to be happy, healthy and engaged at work. We have a number of initiatives to support mental health, gender equality, diversity, CPD and career progression.

Sam also spoke about the social side of joining ALS ‘I have met some great people in a short space of time. When you spend full days working and interacting with your colleagues, you get to know them pretty well, pretty quickly. Everyone is lovely, very approachable and happy to help me. We recently had our Christmas party and it was nice to spend some social time outside my working hours with my new team. I feel accepted, happy and settled in my new career with ALS.

ALS offer a number of career progression pathways. Each individual is appraised regularly / annually and options can be discussed. There is a free i-lead programme open to all that offers online based training modules that can assist with career progression.  Our ALStar programme has something for everyone!

Commenting on his future at ALS Sam said ‘I feel like I have found a place that I can enjoy my career and progress, even this soon I have had informal chats with my team leader about my options and where I could progress to in the future. I am enjoying where I am for now experiencing the different roles within the main laboratory, but in the future opportunities the pathogens laboratory looks really interesting to me. ‘

ALS also have a refer a friend scheme where employees can recommend a friend or family member for a vacancy and if they person is successful, they are rewarded with £300. Sam said ‘I would recommend ALS as a great to place to start or progress with your scientific career, now I know about refer a friend, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it.’ 

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