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• Rob

Meet our people

University: University of Liverpool
Degree type: MChem – Chemistry with Industrial Chemistry

Tell me about the Organic Chemistry Technical Development Programme.
I knew that I wanted to work in the pharmaceutical industry, but I also knew that a career in R&D wasn’t right for me. So when I learned that this programme offered me the opportunity to develop my technical skills in a manufacturing environment, I decided to apply. Since then, I’ve been able to work on some hugely exciting projects. These have included process improvement for new and established products (taking into account the impact of new suppliers, waste management improvements, and the resolution of mixing issues) and the development of validated cleaning methods - specifically solubility trials and analysis for potential breakdown products.

What can I look forward to?
In short, plenty of variety. My first role was as a process chemist in the Technical Development department at the manufacturing site in Dartford. Some of my time was spent in the laboratory, investigating improvements to the current manufacturing process, testing new raw materials in the process and mimicking unplanned deviations from the manufacturing process. I also spent time preparing reports on the work carried out, improving the plant documentation and investigating process deviations. During my second year, I became a process technologist at the manufacturing site in Crawley, providing technical support for one of the major tablet products manufactured there.

What kind of support will I receive?
There are opportunities for regular meetings with both your manager onsite and the technical development programme manager. As for networking opportunities with other graduates, there are plenty of those too. It’s a great way to share experiences and learn more about other parts of the business. Add to that training that ranges from basic word processing through to certified courses such as IOSH Managing Safely, and it’s not hard to see how well GSK look after us.

What does it lead on to?
GSK is very supportive of career progression. As I said before, now I’ve finished on the programme I’m continuing to work in the same department at Crawley, building up further my technical knowledge and expertise. In the longer term though, I intend to move into an operations support role within a production environment, and ultimately become an operations manager. It’s good to know it’s something the business will help me to achieve.

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