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Julie Willecomme

    • About Me:

      I live with my partner Matt and Gin (out cat) in Royston.  I am an analytical scientist turned science communicator. When I’m not working, I enjoy travelling, exercising and bingeable series & great movies on streaming services.

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      I am French and came to the UK for my first job in 2002. I thought I’d stay in the UK for a few years and go back to France but >20 years later, I’m still here and loving it :).

      I have worked at 6 different companies, all in the pharmaceutical / chemical industry, and held many different job titles from analytical scientist in the lab to change manager and today science communications & engagement lead.

      When I started working, I had no idea that I would end up doing a job that is not directly related to my degree… And the journey is not over!

      I love learning new things, challenging myself and networking, which comes in handy to know about opportunities first!

    • My pronouns are:

      She / Her

    • My Work:

      At high level, I help scientists communicate their science in a way that non-experts can understand and make our work visible across R&D and AstraZeneca. There is more to the job than meets the eye but I’ll let you ask me what you want to know.

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      Some of the things I do:

      • I help share our department’s scientific information and achievements (that can mean working on scientific posters and presentations, for example).
      • I work with other comms people to make sure that we don’t duplicate, share what works and what does not work and help each other out when needed.
      • I help others become better communicators and tell better science stories

    • My Typical Day:

      There isn’t really a typical day – which is great! I get in early to avoid traffic, work on scientific presentations, talk to colleagues in virtual meetings or face-to-face (if I’m on site) and get involved in my employer’s STEM volunteering activities – it’s fun!

    • Read more

      Since there isn’t really a typical day, I’ll let you ask what you want to know rather than add it here 🙂

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would love to bring some of our AstraZeneca STEM activities (such as pipetting and chromatography) to schools that may not have the travel budget to come on site.  The activities are fun, aligned to the school science curriculum and you get a tour of our fabulous new building, the Discovery Centre (or DISC, as we call it)

    CV

    • Education:

      I did all my studying in France – college, lycĂ©e, universitĂ©, Ă©cole d’ingĂ©nieur. I did science because I was good at it, not really because I’d always wanted to be a scientist (but I’m glad I became one!).

      I was a very good student all the way to A-levels – I think the structure of the French school system worked well for me. University was less structured and so I did less well there but still got a good degree and now it’s all a bit too far away to matter!

    • Qualifications:

      • 1996 – Scientific BaccalaurĂ©at
      • 1998 – Bachelors in Science, UniversitĂ© de Bourgogne, Dijon
      • 2001 – Masters in Analytical Chemistry, École europĂ©enne de Chimie, PolymĂšres et MatĂ©riaux (ECPM), Strasbourg
      • 2020 – Change Management Certification (ProSci), London

    • Work History:

      IT BUSINESS CHANGE LEAD
      Johnson Matthey | Nov 2021 – Jun 2022

      I lead change activities to help people become more digital and embrace the tools that can simplify the day to day work. For example, getting robots to do boring things like checking data, etc.

      FINANCE ADOPTION LEAD
      Mundipharma | Jan 2021 – Nov 2021

      I joined Finance on secondment to help people adopt new systems & process and support the finance team with communication and training activities.

      IT BUSINESS CHANGE LEAD
      Mundipharma | Jan 2019 – Jan 2021

      I led Change, Communications, Training and Adoption activities for the successful introduction of a new finance tool across multiple locations , resulting in changes to the ways of working of local Finance Teams.

      CHANGE, COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT
      GSK | Jun 2018 – Dec 2018

      I supported the analytical sciences leadership team with change, communications and engagement activities including: a building refurbishment and move to open plan offices, leading the analytical comms team and delivering monthly engaging newsletters to keep scientists informed of what is happening. I also coached / mentored others in how to become better communicators and ‘get what they want’

      THE TURNING POINT
      Project Hope UK | Jun – Dec 2014
      An amazing opportunity to ‘put myself out of my comfort zone’, I spent six months in the Township of Munsieville, South Africa developing a Young Entrepreneur Curriculum as part of a charity assignment.

      THE SCIENCE
      Evotec, Pfizer, GSK | Jan 2002 – Jun 2014

      From junior bench analytical scientist to analytical lead for a late stage asset via Process Engineering Support and Biopharm, I have ‘worked my way around Analytical Sciences’ and built strong knowledge and experience in good manufacturing practices (the standards for medicines) and the drug discovery and development process.

    • Current Job:

      SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT LEAD
      AstraZeneca | Aug 2022 – Present

      I help share our department’s scientific information and achievements (that can mean working on scientific posters and presentations, for example).
      I work with other comms people to make sure that we don’t duplicate, share what works and what does not work and help each other out when needed.
      I help others become better communicators and tell better science stories.

    • Employer:

      AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company. We are dedicated to accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines that create enduring value for patients, society, the planet and our shareholders.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Connector of people and knowledge

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        I had no idea (and I still have no idea...)

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I got told off for chatting with my friends in class many times!

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Interpreter

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Not sure I have one... Stevie Wonder is up there

        What's your favourite food?

        My grandmother's tomates farcies (stuffed tomatoes)

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Believe in yourself / Take risks / Stop complaining

        Tell us a joke.

        How does a scientist freshen her breath? With experi-mints.

        How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Crazy - French - Extrovert

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