Synthetic Medicinal Chemist Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here on placement. I have been able to massively build upon my current knowledge of chemistry, get a real taste for practical industrial chemistry within the pharmaceutical sector and work as a valued member of a vibrant, diverse team. I would greatly recommend a placement year to anyone studying at university and would definitely recommend GSK to anyone studying chemistry.

After an initial period of training and supervision, which is to be expected in any practical scientific placement, I was treated like any other member of staff. I was expected to present my work at regular team meetings, given as many targets and work as any other staff member and was often asked advice from permanent staff members on chemistry I became knowledgeable on. There was no condescension or reluctance to ask my advice. People will ask advice on synthetic routes, etc from whomever knows the most (i.e. who has been working on the chemistry a lot recently), despite their position or level of experience.

I was given health and safety training on my first few days as well as several talks, seminars and handouts. After this point I was allowed to start working in the lab, but was constantly accompanied by my supervisor. Slowly I was allowed to do more and more independently until I was comfortable working alone, though my supervisor was always nearby enough to ask for help or advice at any time. At no point did I feel nervous for asking any questions and I was never made to feel bad for anything I was unfamiliar with.

There are often times where I had little to do while I waited for reactions to complete or results such as LCMS and NMR to come in. However, there were also times when I was rushed off my feet with the number of tasks I had. This is the nature of synthetic, medicinal chemistry and the busy and quiet times balance out to leave days adequately filled.

Initially I was working exclusively with my supervisor, essentially helping them with their work, but very quickly I was starting to be given my own work to carry out. Within a month or so I was expected to plan my own routes, albeit with ever-present help and advice from my supervisor; carry out my synthesises; purify, characterise my results; and present my results to my supervisor and colleagues. I always felt that my work was not only appreciated, but vital to the efforts of my team to achieve their goals.

I can honestly say that I have learnt more in my (so far) 10 months here than in my previous 3 years of study at university. Though much of what I have "learnt" was already taught to me on my course, practically carrying out the chemistry I often only read about and repeating it on a daily basis allowed me to fully understand many areas of chemistry that were previously unclear to me. Outwith of chemistry, the ability to plan and carry out my own work to a deadline, clearly communicate results to my colleagues and work efficiently both on my own and as part of a team are skills that will be invaluable to me in whatever area I decide to enter after my degree.

Though (almost!) always focused on work, the people working in my lab were friendly and chatty. Within my lab, several of us were industry placement students so there was ever more banter, though I appreciate that this is not the case in all labs in GSK. Music was on most of the time and people were encouraged to take turns putting an album of choice on. We had a rule that you could never turn an album someone had put on no matter how much you disliked it. You were, of course though, free to moan consistently at them.

GSK have been running industry placements for decades and are well versed in how it should be carried out. Placement students are appreciated for their work and valued within their projects. Supervisors know what to expect from students coming in and know how to get the most out of everyone who does a placement. [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] runs almost everything within the placement scheme. He's expects you to work hard and doesn't take any crap but he's great chat and he makes the "palace" a delight to work in.

There were plenty of tutorials and seminars set up for us when we started related to H&S and technical work (analysing NMR/LCMS, ect). Some more advanced ones were carried out during the year too. GSK holds many seminars on much more advanced topics within medicinal and synthetic chemistry for all staff members and IP students are encouraged to attend. Along with seminars, you are actively encouraged to participate in discussions at group meetings and are given several opportunities to present to a group.

GSK offer some Phd and post-doc placements, however graduate jobs in synthetic, medicinal chemistry are a little thin on the ground. Apparently they are reinvesting in their graduate program but that still remains to be seen.

There were around 150 placement students are GSK in Stevenage, split across all the disciplines (synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biology, pharmacology, etc). At times it felt more like being at university still rather than working what with all the parties and nights out at weekends. Even with permanent staff members there was a good social scene with fairly regular lab nights out, pub lunches and departmental events. The on-site gym has opportunities for playing football, badminton, squash, etc either individually or at arranged sessions both at lunch and after work. The christmas games hosted by the gym staff in December were a particular highlight of my year here.

Rent was fairly affordable, with my flatmate and myself paying £800pm between us. However, I know people living in bigger groups and/or further from the old town for as little as £300pm each. There's very cheap travel into London with a 20 minute express train at the weekend costing as little as £10 with a railcard. And that includes all subway journeys for the day. There's plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby and it's not hard to eat and drink cheap if you want to (wetherspoons, etc).

There is only one club in the immediate area, and it's a dive. Chicagos is reminiscent of a tacky mediterranean bar/club, but without the cheap drinks and hot weather. However, if you go with a big group of you and prebev before it's a decent enough night out. Cinnabar in the old town is much nicer, being a cocktail bar that plays music late at weekends, however is also a little pricey. Having said all that, there's so many students on placement that it's not hard to organise a house party most weekends if you want.

As before.