Higher Laboratory Scientist Review

I work in Chemical Research and Development (CRD) in the high throughput screening (HTS) team. The purpose of HTS is to work on a small scale (10-100mg typically)but performing many reactions at once (typical 96 reactions at once but can be as many as 400). This allows us to look at the effect of many conditions e.g. temperature, acid, base, catalyst, solvent, equivalent, at once saving the chemists a lot of time and finding alternative conditions for the synthetic route. This job role means I could be in the lab for the whole day preparing and carrying out a screen, or I could be at my desk analysing data and discussing the results with the chemists and project team. This means that I have to interest with lots of different individuals and groups within my department and other departments. To increase the accuracy of our results and increase our throughput we use a lot of automation to carry out our role, including solid dispensing robots and liquid handling automation. As a result, interact with external companies to ensure the servicing and fixing of equipment, and innovation of new upcoming equipment. I also use a lot of instrumentation such as chromatography to validate whether the reactions were successful.

Through my time at Pfizer I have been given so much more responsibility than I expected, and as a result have hugely developed my self-confidence, as well as confidence in my knowledge and understanding of my field. I am able to independently work and confidently face new challenges. Through working in CRD my chemistry knowledge has been expended beyond that of my university course. I have quickly learnt how to use the automation as well as understanding the capabilities and limitations of the instruments and consulting engineers and providers to help with the work we do. Although still not perfect, my public speaking skills have improved a lot, whether the presentation be aimed towards a technical or non-technical audience. At Pfizer I have also partaken in training courses including first aid, health and safety, and continuous improvement.

My role is quite varied so there is always something new and always more to learn. I really enjoy my team and the department is such a fun place to work, as well a great environment to learn and progress as a chemist/scientist. As a department we also do lots of things socially, as well as cake club at work every Thursday giving us a chance to get to know one another away from project work. My experience at Pfizer is quite different to what I expected; I didn't expect to have as much responsibility and independence, particularly as the work we do is so impactful and the projects we work on are drug molecules going to save and improve lives. In this sense, it is a very rewarding job knowing the impact, albeit small, you are having on the business and portfolio.

Apprentices at Pfizer are given a lot of responsibility to carry out project work. I have never felt different from my full-time colleagues, performing the same experiments as them and having as much involvement on the projects. I have received recognition at Pfizer with my work in HTS on past and present projects, as well as process chemistry work I became involved in last year. For this, I feel extremely grateful and it is very encouraging to know the work you do is appreciated. Pfizer has a strong commitment towards apprentices with a large apprentice cohort currently on site. They have ambitions in setting us up for our future and ensuring there are opportunities available to apply for job roles at the end of our apprenticeship.

In the beginning as the higher apprenticeship, particularly that provided by the University of Kent, was quite new to Pfizer the programme wasn't the most organised. However, this has improved a lot of time has gone on. The university side of the apprenticeship is now very organised in my opinion and has improved a lot, and we now have a lot more access to support, guidance and resources. There has been a lot of change recently and there is now a team looking after the apprentices at Pfizer that cover the wide disciplines of apprenticeships available. Within my department there is a lot of support available and many different people have been more than happy to spend their time helping me with university work, queries I have about project work, or helping develop my chemistry skills e.g. mechanism practice.

Support from the training provider has increased and improved over the course of my apprenticeship. We now have two lecturers dedicated to apprentices, whereas before they also taught full-time and PhD students. The tutors and admin staff are all very quick to respond to their emails with any queries we have and we get university assignments returned within good time. Our tutors/lecturers also come and visit us or do skype calls/WebEx calls with us which is particularly useful as we are distance learners.

Within my department there is a lot of support available and many different people have been more than happy to spend their time helping me with university work, queries I have about project work, or helping develop my chemistry skills e.g. mechanism practice. My supervisor and I have a sit-down meeting every fortnight to go through chemistry problems/mechanisms to ensure I keep improving in this element of my studies and work. My supervisor also provides me with a lot of support when I give presentations; we go through planning the slides together and have lots of practice runs to ensure I am confident in presenting them.

The starting salary was a lot more than I expected as an apprentice, and is more than what some other companies are offering. In addition, the salary increases every year. I do not have to pay any major outgoing costs apart from travel, however if I did this salary would still comfortably cover this.

There are many outreach opportunities available for apprentices to get involved with, including science demonstrations at schools, careers fairs and career/apprentice presentations. The Pfizer network focuses on trying to develop a tight-knit community of apprentices, and therefore we get involved in social activities including quizzes, meals, BBQs, fundraisers etc. This is really great particularly for those that relocate to work at Pfizer and so many not know many people or the area very well. Most departments also have Christmas celebrations/parties which are always very good fun. There is a running club, an on-site gym and other similar groups/facilities.

Yes

I think combining practical on-the-job experience with learning from a training provider will be very suited to lots of people's learning styles and is a great way to gain much needed experience and prepare you for the world of work, as well as helping you to understand all the paths available to you. I think it is a very good place to work and provides good apprenticeship programmes.

Ensure you fully understand the role you are applying for and make your application reflect this and your passion for the area/field. Research the company and role to get a further understanding of what you are applying for. They don't expect you to know everything but as long as you can show your thought process during interviews and show your enthusiasm for the role then you will do well. Make sure you ask lots of relevant questions particularly on tours! Remain professional, friendly and enthusiastic.