What is an Industrial Placement?
An industrial placement is typically 9-12 months of paid work experience which forms one year of your university studies, typically (but not necessarily) your third year of a four year sandwich degree course. In the UK, we recruit undergraduate students via the Industrial Placement (IP) scheme in September and November each year.
A GSK placement is your opportunity to take on a real role with genuine impact – it’s challenging, serious work on live projects or assignments. You get to learn from us, develop your skills and gain valuable experience for wherever the future takes you.
We get the benefit of new perspectives and fresh thinking – and a chance to see if you have the potential to join us after graduating.
Why GSK?
- Make a real-world impact in a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together
- Learn from, and work alongside, some amazing people; build your peer and professional network
- Develop your technical and soft skills; grow as a person and professional, every day
- Put the foundation in place for your career once your studies are complete
- Feel free to be who you are – in an open, welcoming culture with a focus on wellbeing
- Play your part in helping GSK to get ahead of disease together
What type of roles are available?
Expand the below to find more detail on the departments in which UK Industrial Placement roles are offered.
Communications and Global Health
As a global biopharma company, our image and reputation are incredibly important to us. Industrial Placement students are an integral part of our team in helping communicate our values, and our product and business developments in a clear and compelling manner.
We have a number of placements available either within the broader communications function or specifically within digital communications, and global health.
What do the programmes involve?
Communications:
Communications provide a mouthpiece – both internally and externally – for all of our business functions including Pharmaceuticals, Research and Development (R&D), Manufacturing and Supply Chain, Vaccines, Digital & Tech, ViiV and Corporate operations. We use a variety of communication tools and channels to deliver a consistent story to all of our audiences.
Digital Communications:
The digital communications team in our communications department manages GSK's corporate digital channels including GSK.com, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Some of the main activities that the student would get involved in are: Helping to develop and maintain the company's external corporate websites, helping to monitor and reply to comments and questions in GSK’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn), providing expertise and insight into current and future digital communications and technologies, liaising with GSK's digital communications partners around the world, and designing and creating infographics.
Global Health:
Our global health programmes are about ensuring we can supply our life-saving medicines to people around the globe, and working alongside non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to implement healthcare strategies to help save lives too. This placement involves: project management and helping to lead and deliver healthcare improvement strategies, data analysis of annual reports from our programmes to monitor their successes and areas for improvement, establishing successful programmes to develop healthcare through capacity building and health system strengthening and the leverage of strategic partnerships, working with NGOs and colleagues from around the world, and utilising expertise within the business to increase the access and affordability of medicines in the developing world.
Data Science
We offer undergraduates a choice of data science placements in either our Global Supply Chain or in our Research and Development (R&D) functions.
You will need:
- To have good communication skills and be an agile learner
- To be well-organised and a team player
- Have good Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills
- Have knowledge and application of coding
- Be able to work collaboratively or on own initiative on key data projects to drive improvements agile learner
- Be able to demonstrate qualities aligned with GSK Values and Expectations.
Manufacturing sites:
In your data science placement, you will be embedded in the business, learning from our industry experts and working with internal customers from around the world helping to drive value and insights from our supply chain.
You will have the opportunity to highlight improvement opportunities, and as you become more experienced, lead and deliver projects. You will gain exposure to how cutting-edge technology and analytics is changing our supply chain enabling us to better deliver life-saving medicines and vaccines to people in 90% of the world’s countries.
Research and Development sites:
At GSK we believe that medicines are key to achieving our ambitions in immuno-oncology and other immunologically driven diseases. We are growing our UK-based Drug Discovery and Development teams using cutting edge technologies to bring medicines of the future faster to patients who need them. As a result, there is continuous growth in demand for support activities in data publication, visualisation and analysis to help us discover these medicines that will make a difference to patient’s lives.
During your year with us you’ll gain first-hand experience of the power of fully utilising our data, including development of personal skills, being able to understand how different sites operate, putting academic theory into practice and in many cases taking responsibility for your own projects. Over the year you will build your technical knowledge, as well as developing your communication, planning, organisation, problem-solving, team working and help to build an extensive network of industry contacts.
Engineering
Help us engineer innovative ways to develop, manufacture and deliver medicines and vaccines that help us get ahead of disease together.
Our engineers ensure we have the latest, safe, efficient, and reliable processes and equipment to deliver life-saving medicines and vaccines to people in 90% of the world’s countries.
An engineering placement will provide you with the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of a manufacturing site. You’ll find yourself in a real role, adding value to our business as a key member of a multi-disciplinary team, giving you the opportunity to develop your understanding of how our different sites operate, putting academic theory into practice, and taking responsibility for your own projects.
Over the year you will build up your technical knowledge, as well as developing your communication, planning, organising, problem-solving, team-working and networking skills.
What do the engineering programmes involve?
Automation Engineering:
Maintain and troubleshoot control systems whilst working on automation projects involving continuous improvement and system upgrades. Work with suppliers to ensure that equipment complies with international standards Work with digital technology teams to deliver machine integration to cloud data analytics platforms, which support machine learning and AI projects.
Chemical Engineering:
Work with a range of manufacturing processes and products. Identify opportunities for process, production, safety and environmental improvements. Gain experience in project management and planning. Lead root cause analysis investigations.
Mechanical Engineering:
Manage new equipment from the design stage through to installation, whilst increasing manufacturing efficiency through improved systems, equipment performance and reliability. Work with cutting-edge technologies and provide daily support for key equipment. Perform root cause analysis investigations. Contributing to safety and quality risk assessments. Developing skills in project management and planning. Experience a range of manufacturing processes.
Electrical Engineering:
Solve day-to-day issues and breakdowns and lead electrical projects from design through to implementation. You’ll also be involved with sustainable energy and cost reduction initiatives.
You will need:
- Strong people skills and a team player
- Time management and organisational skills
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail
- Be organised with a drive to get things done
- Have a continuous improvement mindset
- An interest in digital solutions will be required for some roles
- Good Microsoft Excel and Word skills
- To be able to demonstrate qualities aligned with GSK Values and Expectations
Finance
Finance in our business is not just about numbers. It’s about adding value and shaping strategy for the business. Our finance team works in partnership with the whole organisation to drive business planning, manage costs and maximise our cash flow. This helps us to generate new revenue for investment in research and development (R&D) and enhance returns for our shareholders.
Throughout the year, you’ll be embedding yourself in our global finance community, working alongside other high-potential finance professionals and doing a real job with real responsibilities. The experience will give you a solid grounding in financial management, insights into the workings of a global business and an understanding of the financial rigour demanded by a biopharma company.
We place high priority on personal and professional development. Finance challenges will come thick and fast, so you’ll always be learning something new. As well as developing your financial expertise and business knowledge, you’ll gain valuable communication, planning, organisational, problem-solving, team-working and networking skills. No prior finance knowledge is necessary. In fact, we’re looking for students from different backgrounds to bring their fresh perspective into finance with a willingness to learn and an analytical mind.
Finance in our business is not just about numbers. It’s about adding value and shaping strategy for the business. Our finance team works in partnership with the whole organisation to drive business planning, manage costs and maximise our cash flow. This helps us to generate new revenue for investment in research and development (R&D) and enhance returns for our shareholders.
Human Resources
HR is all about equipping our business with the right people and the right skills to help the company focus on getting ahead of disease together. HR works with the various business areas to deliver against overall organisational goals. As well as leadership and development, compensation, benefits, recruitment and employee health management, the HR team is responsible for operations, strategy, communications and systems.
You’ll be able to use and develop your business skills in a busy HR environment, while seeing the workings of a diverse global organisation at first hand. You'll be applying the skills you already have and developing ones you don't - such as communication, team-working, organisation and problem solving.
Procurement
Our procurement placements will give you an understanding of procurement in a global business. You’ll have the chance to work on challenging projects and gain a head start in your future career. Procurement is about buying the right goods and services for the best value. And by getting the most out of every budget we can increase our efforts to help get ahead of disease together.
Procurement supports many business areas, including manufacturing, sales and marketing, and research and development (R&D). This is reflected in the range of placements available. Wherever you’re based, you’ll put into practice the business skills you’ve gained at university, learn from experienced colleagues, and network with a wide community of procurement professionals, customers and other undergraduates.
Science
We offer undergraduates a choice of science placements in either our Global Supply Chain or in our Research and Development (R&D) functions. These placements give first-hand experience of manufacturing, technology and science in and out of the lab, with exposure to the best people, processes and technology.
We offer undergraduates a choice of science placements in either our manufacturing sites or our research and development sites.
You will need:
- To be a strong team player with good interpersonal
- To enjoy problem solving skills
- Be well-organised with strong attention to details
- A continuous improvement mindset and be self-motivated
Proficient in Microsoft (Excel, Word, PPT) - An ability to demonstrate qualities aligned with GSK Values and Expectations.
Manufacturing sites:
Science placements at our pharmaceutical manufacturing sites give first-hand experience of the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry in a wide variety of positions, from lab- based roles to roles in quality, technical and manufacturing operations. You will have the opportunity to work in multi functional teams ensuring we have the latest, safe, efficient and reliable processes to deliver life-saving medicines and vaccines to people in 90% of the world’s countries.
Research and development sites:
We’re combining the power of genetic and genomic insights into what causes disease, with the speed and scale of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to make better predictions about who a treatment might work for, and why.
Do you want to help discover and develop potential new medicines? Are you eager to learn from experts and be part of a vibrant student and professional community?
Our pipeline currently comprises of more than 60 vaccines and medicines across four core therapeutic areas including oncology, infectious diseases, immunology / respiratory and HIV.
Our R&D placements are a mix of lab and non-lab based roles. Within our Pharmaceutical R&D organisation we have over 100 undergraduate placements, available in hugely diverse areas of science including Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Clinical Operations, In Vivo Imaging, Biophysics and many more. Most placements are based in our Medicines Research Centre in Stevenage, where nearly 3,000 scientists work on groundbreaking drug development, although there are other science opportunities across a number of our sites.
Supply Chain
Supply chain management is all about optimising the delivery of billions of packs of medicines and healthcare products every year, so we can make a lasting impact across the world.
In addition to developing your knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chain management during your placement, you could be involved in a range of activities, such as:
- Working with suppliers, colleagues and customers around the world to ensure our products get to the patient at the end of the supply chain
- Demand review (including gathering and understanding market intelligence on forecasts and supply chain complexities)
- Logistics, planning & scheduling roles to help us make and deliver the right products at the right time
- Global logistics management, cross border compliance and supply chain security
- Drive supply chain performance using digital data & analytics
- Continuous improvement projects within inventory, distribution and warehousing, supply, and demand planning
- Building strong relationships with key third party suppliers
We offer a wide variety of supply chain placements throughout the end-to-end supply chain, from forecasting demand, production planning, raw materials management, to warehousing and logistics and regional supply hubs.
You will be applying the skills you already have learnt at university and developing new skills such as team working, effective communication and time management. You will work with and learn from an experienced, multi-disciplined team who will coach and mentor you during your year to help you achieve your potential.
You will need:
- To be a team player with strong interpersonal skills
- Well organised, good time management and data driven
Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, MS Teams, Word & Excel) - Ability to work on own initiate to drive improvements
- Analytical thinking, attention to detail, focussed.
- Ability to demonstrate qualities aligned with GSK Values and Expectations.
ViiV Healthcare
ViiV Healthcare is a specialist company born from a partnership between GSK, Pfizer and Shionogi; 100% dedicated to HIV medicines and research and focused on people living with HIV and AIDS. At ViiV, we are determined to help end the HIV epidemic and take pride in supporting communities affected by HIV.
Our one focused goal unites our people located across the globe, all guided by our mission to be here until HIV isn’t. We offer a variety of opportunities for students to undertake a 12-month industrial placement programme. Through taking on roles with real responsibility, placement students are incredibly valued and play a vital role in contributing to the success of projects. We are looking for enthusiastic students who are excited by our mission to leave no person living with HIV behind.
When do I apply?
Our Industrial Placement roles typically open in September and November each year, and open roles can be found here: GSK Careers job search - #IndustrialPlacements
Start dates for the programme will be between June - September the following year. Please note you will need to be in your second year of University to apply for this programme (if you’re on a 3 year course).
If applications are currently closed, you can sign up to Connectr to register your interest for the programme. This means we can contact you when roles go live to remind you to apply.
Application timelines
Roles open
The majority of our roles open in September each year. We then have a second opening in November. Applications for our 2024 intake of Industrial Placements will open in September and November 2023. You can apply for more than one role, but we strongly encourage you to be specific in the roles you choose to apply for as you’ll need to be clear on your motivations in each application.
Complete your application
We will close our vacancies when we have enough applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply as soon as possible so you can complete all stages of your application in time, and it can be considered.
Assessment days/Interviews
Assessment days & interviews will likely be held during the months of November 2023 – January 2024.
Roles start
Start dates for the Industrial Placement programme will be between June – September 2024.
Connectr
If you're interested in applying, we encourage you to sign up to Connectr as the platform will allow you to benefit from the following:
- Bespoke and inclusive learning content
- Learning modules to help you understand our culture, our people and our patients.
- Skills and information to support your next steps Mentors who are graduates, interns, apprentices and employees and there to help you learn more about daily life at GSK
Applying to our Programmes
We have a four-stage application process. It will consist of a mix of online assessments, written application and interviews. Our recruitment team will work directly with you to support you through the process.
Expand one of the four stages below to find out more detail.
Online short eligiblity form
The first stage of the process will be to fill out a short application questionnaire.
Make sure you meet the criteria for your chosen programme. If the basic role qualifications are not met, you may receive an automatic response declining your application.
There will be two opening application dates for our IP roles.
- Opening 1: September
- Opening 2: November
Vacancies close once we have enough applications so we recommend you to apply as soon as possible.
World of GSK online assessment
We will invite you to complete our World of GSK online assessment and you will have seven days to complete this. If you’re applying near the application closing date (written on the job description), this may be earlier.
This assessment will give you a better insight into GSK and the way we work, whilst we also get a better idea of your strengths and suitability for the programme.
During the assessment, you will watch a number of videos featuring real GSK employees who will talk about their experiences working for GSK. You will be asked to watch the videos and respond by either indicating what you might do in that situation or interpret verbal and numerical information to make decisions.
- You don't need to have any prior knowledge of GSK, or the healthcare sector to succeed at this stage of the application.
- You will have seven days to complete the assessment, starting from the date the assessment link has been sent. If you’re applying near the application closing date (written on the job description), you will need to complete the assessment prior to the closing date.
- Feel free to contact us if you experience any technical issues while completing the assessment. If you require any reasonable adjustments due to a disability, please also get in touch.
- You can reach us at uk.internrecruitment@gsk.com
Online written interview/assessment
Once you have completed and passed both the eligibility form and World of GSK you will be sent a link to complete the Written Interview/Assessment. You will have up to seven days to complete this. If you’re applying near the application closing date (written on the job description), this may be earlier. If the role you have applied to has been very popular, and we have enough applications, we may also ask you to complete the application quicker.
This is made up of five questions which are designed to assess your suitability for the role you’ve applied for. We are seeking to understand both if you can do something, and if you enjoy it. We are interested in getting to know the things you like to do in and outside of work, so feel free to provide examples with your answers if they come to mind, even if the question does not specifically ask for an example. It is important that any examples you share are clear and related to the question being asked.
Assessment Centre/Final Interview
If you progress to our Assessment Centre then congratulations — you’re through to our final stage!
The assessment centre will give you the chance to meet with potential future colleagues, as well as other applicants. It typically lasts for a half day, and the majority are run virtually via Microsoft Teams.
It will consist of a mix of activities, including a strengths-based interview, that test your suitability for our programmes. Depending on your chosen programme, you might also have to give a presentation and complete a technical or practical exercise. You'll will have the chance to demonstrate a wider range of skills than you would have been able to during a traditional interview. All the information that you need for the exercises will be provided on the day.
Opportunities for Industrial Placement students
When you join GSK, you’ll be part of IP Unite. IP Unite is an organisation for IPs, run by IPs to support this community with social, development and charity events.
IP Unite
As part of IP Unite, you may take part in:
- Fundraising activities for GSKs partnership charity - Save the Children
- Development weeks/sessions to support personal and professional growth
- Mentoring from current GSK graduates to gain insights and advice on how to build your career
- Site & national social events (drinks/meals, socials, quizzes))
You will also have a chance to join the committee which enhances qualities such as time management, leadership and teamwork.
In addition to IP unite, GSK offer recognition awards to employees to celebrate effort, contribution, and achievement for their work.
Where do you fit in?
To help you understand which business area you’re most interested in, follow the links below to learn more about what they entail.
