Industrial Placement Materials Scientist Review

I run my own experiments, update my electronic lab notebook with results and observations and attend team meetings. My work is a combination of my own project for my University thesis and supporting GSK asset development with work packages as and when I'm asked.

Lab skills: PXRD, TGA, DSC, Raman, PLM, SCXRD, Crystal16, Crystalline, EasyMax reactors, HSM. Soft skills: Communication (oral through presenting and written through my thesis), teamwork, professional conduct, research, analysis, industry awareness

My own project was very self-led and I chose the experiments I performed and the direction it took. In terms of GSK projects, I always work independently but didn't often make impactful decisions (not that I'd expect to as a student). There was definitely opportunity to be involved in important work and I did feel like contributions were valuable. However, there are not strict deadlines or always a structured way to report work back formally, so sometimes accountability was lost. You definitely have to ask for more to do or for more responsibly if you want it.

The support was incredible. My supervisor helped me with absolutely everything and when she wasn't available I could ask anyone else in the lab and they were consistently generous with their time and expertise. The people in this department are brilliant, a pleasure to work with and are very talented scientists.

Inclusive and positive. People are welcoming and kind, staff are generally upbeat and happy with their jobs. Lots of focus on DE&I. Access to membership in Employee Resource Groups.

I can't fault the department and the team I worked with during my time at GSK, they were incredible. My enjoyment of the work I did varied but was often interesting; I learnt a lot about solid state drug development. There are a lot of students at the Stevenage site (over 100), so there is a network and you do make friends. I was lucky to live with 3 other girls on placement who made my life much more social. It can't be said the Stevenage is the best place to live. There is very little to do in the town. This had a high impact on my enjoyment as it's a change from being at University, I'd lived in Edinburgh for 4 years and underestimated how much it mattered where you live and where you spent evenings/weekends. For this reason I often went to London (only 20 mins by train), or back home (approx. 2 hours by train).

Yes

This is a great company to do a placement at. They have brilliant student initiatives and it is super for your career development. Especially if you want to work in the pharmaceutical industry, the lab skills you will gain are next to none. The social side is certainly less brilliant, but I have still met people I will be friends with for life. In interview, make sure to revise the area you are applying for an demonstrate a keen interest in it. Be enthusiastic and show a desire to learn and develop your skills.