Structural Biology Industrial Placement Student Review
by Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Rating
-
Skills
5.0
-
Responsibilities
5.0
-
Support & Guidance
5.0
-
Culture
4.8
-
Your Impressions
4.0
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
- How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
- How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
- How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
- Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
- 3. Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
- Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
- 4. How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
- How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
- How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
- 5. What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
- How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
- How would you rate the social opportunities?
- How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
- How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
- 6. To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
- Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
- Please rate how your experience met your expectations
- Please rate the future employment prospects at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
- 7. Would you recommend Vertex Pharmaceuticals to a friend?
- 8. What advice would you give to others applying to Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Overview
Complete routine assays and research to optimise and enhance the assay I was given. I also had to complete university work alongside my work at Vertex, which I could complete at work if I had some free time. Usually I had a weekly department meeting and a bi-weekly team meeting that introduced myself to science that was being undertaken across the team and what each project was focusing on at that time.
Skills
I have learnt many new skills, both scientific and transferable. I have been able to enhance my presentation skills, receiving many opportunities to present to my team and to the the whole of Biology. Additionally, I have been exposed to numerous biophysical techniques and have gained experience using mass spectrometers for the first time, and am now proficient with the technology.
Responsibilities
Yes, I was able to independently research and design my own developments to my project and ask my team about future directions that I could take this work. I also run a routine assay for the team, reporting back data and troubleshooting issues when they arise to ensure that the screens are completed on time.
Support & Guidance
I was always able to reach out to my manager if I had any issues with the work I was completing or was unsure of any task. We have a lot of contact hours and weekly 1 to 1s that I can use to ask questions about projects and felt very supported over the previous year
Culture
Everyone is very friendly and is wary to the fact that I am an intern and have less experience than most people in the team, so everyone is open to qestions and will be able to fit in meetings to explain their work and help out if needed. The company is very inclusive and welcoming.
Your Impressions
I very much enjoyed my placement, I have been able to learn new skills and techniques that I previously did not think I would learn. I have a much greater understanding in the drug discovery process too, which has helped my career outlook
Yes
Be open, asking questions, learn as much as you can do. Everyone is there to help you out, and they know that you are new to the environment
Details
Placement (10 Months+)
Pharmaceutical, Science
South East
July 2023
