Meet the apprentice-turned-PhD scientist supporting the next generation at Ingenza
A scientist who joined Ingenza as a 16-year-old apprentice has completed a PhD while working full-time at the company – a career path that highlights the long-term impact of work-based learning as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Jack Kay, now a Senior Scientist in Molecular Biology at the Edinburgh-based biotechnology firm, first joined the Ingenza in 2012 straight from school. Unsure whether the traditional university route was right for him, he picked up the phone to the company to ask about work experience. That conversation led to an apprenticeship opportunity, where he discovered he could earn a salary while gaining qualifications on the job.
He went on to complete an HND in chemical sciences at Forth Valley College on day release, spending the rest of the week working in the lab. Eager to continue progressing, he secured direct entry into third year at Heriot-Watt University to study chemistry with medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, maintaining the same work-and-study balance.
Building on this foundation, Jack later undertook a PhD in protein engineering with the University of Plymouth under the academic guidance of Professor Mat Upton. His research focused on engineering microbial proteins with the potential to help tackle drug-resistant infections. The doctorate was supported by Ingenza alongside a prestigious Industrial Fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 – one of just 10 to 15 awarded each year.
Throughout his academic progression, Jack remained based at Ingenza, ensuring his studies were closely aligned with real-world industrial projects. He also accessed additional support through the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) doctoral training programme, attending specialist sessions and building connections across the wider biotechnology community.
Today, Jack specialises in recombinant protein expression and purification, protein engineering, and the application of AI and machine learning in biotechnology. He also supports master’s students through IBioIC, helping to guide the next generation entering the sector.
Jack said: “University didn’t feel like the right fit for me when I was coming to the end of Secondary school. I’m a hands-on learner and I wanted to be in a working lab from the start, so the apprenticeship meant I could earn a wage, gain experience, and build qualifications at the same time. It’s been a long road, but it’s given me real depth of experience. Being able to apply what I was learning straight away in a commercial setting made a huge difference, and now, supporting master’s students, it really does feel like things have come full circle.”
As of December 2025, nearly 40,000 modern apprentices were in training across Scotland[1]. Ingenza is one of a small number of biosciences SMEs offering long-term progression routes from apprenticeship to doctoral-level study.
Dr Mary Doherty, skills programme manager at IBioIC, added: “Jack’s path shows the power of flexible, work-based routes into science and biotechnology. As we mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, it’s important to recognise that apprenticeships can open doors all the way through to doctoral-level research and highly skilled careers. Strong partnerships between companies, colleges and universities are key to making that happen.”
[1] https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/ay3dcrba/modern-apprenticeship-statistics-quarter-3-2025-26.pdf