Early applications are encouraged as candidates will be reviewed regularly and the advert may close at any point.
Are you looking to gain valuable real world work experience and help positively impact the lives of others?
A GSK internship offers you the opportunity to kickstart your career – to take on a real role with genuine impact. You’ll take on challenging tasks within live projects or assignments. You’ll also get to learn from others in your team and other parts of GSK whilst developing your skills and gaining valuable experience for wherever the future takes you.
Typical skills you can expect to learn on this placement will include:
- Teamworking through working with multidisciplinary teams
- Communication (written & verbal)
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Networking
- Data analysis and management
- Technical skills (detailed within each role description)
Once you accept your offer you will be invited to join LinkedIn groups and pre-joining webinars, to enable you to connect and network with new students. You will join IPUnite, GSK’s community of over 250 students across all UK sites and business areas, run by the Industrial Placement students committee and will receive access to GSK resources, including employee assistance programmes, private healthcare, and well-being programs.
Education required
To apply for this placement, you must be:
- Currently studying an Undergraduate Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology, Life Sciences
- Please read the degree requirements for each role carefully before applying.
Other requirements
- You will have completed a minimum of 2 years of your undergraduate degree but will not have graduated at the start of your placement. You must be enrolled at a UK (United Kingdom) or ROI (Republic of Ireland) University for the duration of your placement.
If you have already graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and are currently studying a postgraduate Masters, you are not eligible for this programme.
Language requirement
- Written and spoken fluency in English
Expected start date
- July 2025
Duration
- 1 year (approximately)
The roles (7 available)
This advert contains multiple roles. Please read each role carefully before proceeding as you will be asked to provide a preference later in the application process.
Role 1: Analytical/Organic Chemistry
Roles available
- Montrose
Degree requirements
- Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
Overview of the department
There is an opportunity at the Montrose site to join either the Organic or Analytical Chemistry departments, depending on your relevant skills. Both departments conduct technical investigations and support site manufacturing covering process chemistry, process engineering, organic chemistry and analytical sciences - Key activities include bringing new processes to the site and the ongoing improvement of existing and established processes already located at Montrose.
Key placement activities
- Carrying out instrumental analysis and laboratory organic synthesis experiments to support the site's new process introductions and existing process improvement initiatives.
- Resolve analytical issues that are disrupting the efficient operation of the operating units.
- Spectroscopic characterisation of novel and unknown entities.
- Gain an appreciation of the role of analytical science to the running of a modern pharmaceutical site including method validation and GMP
- Build spectroscopic characterisation skills
- Resolve organic chemistry issues that are disrupting the efficient operation of the operating units.
- Isolating, characterising and synthesising novel analytical impurity standards.
- Develop strong practical laboratory organic synthesis and instrumental analysis skills using a range of classical and automated synthetic equipment
Role 2: Quality Control Release Laboratory
Roles available
- Montrose
Degree requirements
- Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry
Overview of the department
Within Quality there is the QC Release Laboratory, and the Analytical Development & Systems team work closely with the lab to deliver quality and efficiency improvements to analytical methods and technology utilised. There are also opportunities to work with the Data Integrity and Quality Digital leads to implement solutions in these key areas.
Key placement activities
- Cleaning validation method improvements
- Implementation of new technology in the lab
- Method and equipment validation
- Data Integrity improvements
- Digital improvements
- Develop skills in analysis, quality understanding, self-motivation, digital
Role 3: Manufacturing Laboratory
Roles available
- Ware
Degree requirements
- Analytical Chemistry
Overview of the department
A placement within the manufacturing laboratories at the Ware site involves analytical testing for GSK products (in-process and finished products) within the Oral Solid Dose and Respiratory value streams. Testing is performed on batches in preparation for them to go to the market, but also on Stability batches (these are already on the market) therefore the team is integral in supporting the supply chains. The team focuses on new product introduction, method validation, analytical method transfers, and continuous improvement projects to support with the improvement of lab processes. Alongside the analytical testing there is opportunity to be trained on other activities to ensure the laboratory works compliantly e.g. documentation updates, equipment checks.
Key placement activities
- Analytical testing in a range of techniques e.g. HPLC, Emitted Dose, Aerodynamic Particle
- Size Distribution.
- Equipment checks
- Good Documentation Practice and Good Laboratory Practice
- Continuous Improvement activities
Role 4: Quality Control Analyst
Roles available
- Worthing
Degree requirements
- Science based (eg Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, Biomedical, Life Sciences
Overview of the department
Quality Control Laboratories consist of 3 laboratories covering Incoming materials, through to finished product and stability testing. The laboratory is split into testing sections which a placement student will rotate around during the placement.
Key placement activities
- Prepare Samples and reagents for analysis
- Analytical testing of finished product samples: Moisture, Impurities, Identity Testing, Assay
- Author, review and revise SOPs and support electronic templates
- Support Analytical and instrument lifecycle
- Laboratory upkeep and maintenance (5s, Routine Equipment/glassware cleaning)
- Complete project either analytical or sustainability to support business
Role 5: Analytical Laboratory
Roles available
- Barnard Castle
Degree requirements
- Must be studying an undergraduate degree in Chemistry or chemistry-related degrees.
Overview of the department
The Barnard Castle site is located in the Northeast of England is sited within the County Durham countryside. Barnard Castle is a key secondary site for GSK with a large number of New Products coming through development at site. We manufacture and supply a huge range of different pharmaceutical products from Sterile Products (Syringes and Vials) to Liquid Inhalations and Dermatologicals. We have recently opened a new state of the art aseptic digital facility producing biopharmaceuticals.
An opportunity exists for a candidate with a strong science background to work within the analytical chemistry laboratory to support the analytical testing of a wide range of pharmaceutical products manufactured on site. The successful candidate will be trained in a variety of analytical techniques used in the laboratory to support release/stability testing. The primary role of the analyst will initially be routine Quality Control (QC) analysis of finished products and incoming materials. Opportunities to perform project work to support the business and fulfil university academic requirements will be made available. Not only will the candidate gain experience of analytic techniques, but they will be required to work in the quality team to ensure patients receive high quality medicines compliant with global legislation.
Key placement activities
- Following all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and being compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Performing equipment performance checks and calibration.
- Creating, reviewing and validating methods as well as updating laboratory documentation and writing technical reports.
- Creating testing and auditing cleaning protocols
- To take part in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement projects
Role 6: Materials Science
Roles available
- Ware
Degree requirements
- Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacy or related
Overview of the department
Materials Science is a division within Global Supply Chain MSAT (Manufacturing Science & Technology). We support products globally both for GSK sites and products manufactured for GSK externally. Whilst we work predominantly on small molecule medicines through lifecycle (new product intro (NPI) and established products), we also do some work on large molecule and vaccines products. We are a characterisation focused team, getting involved with business-critical troubleshooting and investigations, proactive risk assessment for material changes e.g. API changes, as well as NPI milestones, and analytical method dev/transfer/troubleshooting.
Key placement activities
- Performing and documenting lab analysis across a range of characterisation techniques.
- Performing safety and compliance tasks for the lab, such as airflow and balance checks.
- Leading and supporting characterisation focused projects for stakeholders across the business.
- Leading and supporting Continuous Improvement (CI) activities including sustainability related tasks as part of working in a "Green Lab".
- Data checking.
Role 7: Analytical Chemistry
Roles available
- Worthing
Degree requirements
- Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry
Overview of the department
Our department provides analytical resources for our colleagues on site which specialised on fermentation processes of enzymes, bacteria, and plant cell cultures. Some of the projects on site involve increase productivity and extraction efficiency of precursors and APIs on marketed products and comparability studies. We also provide support for several GSK sites around the world on biopharmaceutical supply chain improvements and investigations for manufacturing deviations. We specialised on chromatography analysis (LCMS, GCMS, HR-LCMS, IC, LCUV)
Key placement activities
- Deliver planned testing aligned to team priorities across a range of techniques including HPLC/UPLC, LC-MS, UV-Vis, GC, KF etc.
- Compile, analyse and communicate experimental results including in written reports and presentations.
- Escalate problems and contribute to troubleshooting.
- Contribute to method development and experimental design aligned to project or department goals.
- Adhere to and help maintain the highest levels of Safety, GLP and housekeeping across the department.
Application process
These placement opportunities have the following recruitment stages you must successfully pass to be offered a placement year with GSK for 2024:
- Eligibility Form
- World of GSK Online Assessment
- Written Assessment
- Virtual Assessment Centre or Virtual Interview
Apply now!