Analytical Science Intern Review

Supporting the Analytical development team with method development, validation and acquiring data for the purpose of supporting product development. On a day to day basis this involves: working with team members to gain experience on a wide range of analytical techniques (both spectroscopy and chromatography based), planning and executing tasks in order to complete my year long project, study plan and report writing as well as engaging with other teams to gain insight into how best to support product development.

Learned new technical skills, prior to my placement I had minimal knowledge analytical techniques but through the support of my team I have gained a large amount of knowledge on a wide range of analytical chemistry topics. Presentation skills have been tremendously developed through presenting to stakeholders of my project, presenting at intern monthly meetings and conferences. Organisational skills have also been developed, as you are responsible for your year long project - which includes lab work, planning and report writing.

Yes, I was encouraged to take responsibility over my year long project and suggest ways to move it forwards. Additionally, team members were happy to give me tasks within their projects to further develop my skills on a technique I am not using for my project. Other responsibilities included chairing Analytical team monthly meetings, chairing intern monthly meetings, lab walk arounds.

A lot, my line manager was always available to support and guide me, she was also very organised and knowledgeable which made it easy for me to settle in. My other team members were also very supportive especially as a lot of my job was completely new to me. Placement team were also great, we were assigned buddies from the team so that we always had someone to go to for advice.

Very welcoming, interns are introduced via an email at the start of the placement so most know who you are which means everyone is very interested in supporting you or just a general chat. I have never felt discouraged to approach someone either online or in person - networking is very easy.

I loved it, my role was unexpectedly different from the chemistry that I study at university though still very technical and actually reignited my love for the subject as it so rewarding to see your work and knowledge go towards something tangible. My team was great and the labs are extremely well equipped!

Yes

For this role, if you do not have extensive specific technical knowledge on analytical chemistry it's fine - they are looking for problem solvers and people who are willing to apply themselves to learn, use what you already have learnt at university because it all applies. If you do get the role, take initiative to work with various members of the team and other people in the company, there are so many experts around and you can learn so much!