Graduate Trainee - R&D Sandwich 2023

Pfizer is one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies applying our science and global resources to improve health and wellbeing at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of medicines.

Our global healthcare portfolio includes medicines and vaccines and many of the world’s best-known consumer healthcare products and every day, Pfizer colleagues work to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with healthcare providers, governments, and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable healthcare around the world.

Pfizer is committed to developing new talent across the R&D Pharmaceutical Sciences business units with a Drug Product Graduate Rotation program focused on developing key knowledge, skills and behaviours in the development and manufacture of medicines for supply to clinical trials across the world. The 2-year program will immerse a participant into three 8-month job rotations in disciplines related to drug product development, manufacture and supply. Here, you will have ample opportunities to make a real contribution to Pfizer’s R&D projects, live Pfizer values and explore your scientific interests whilst developing a diverse skillset.

All three rotations will be completed at our Sandwich, UK site. The rotations will provide hands-on experience in disciplines such as material science, drug product formulation and process development, biopharmaceutics and GMP manufacturing of the drug product for clinical supply. This will expose you to the journey of our breakthrough medicines from a laboratory bench to patient’s bed. You will work with colleagues who are recognised experts in the field, an extensive mentorship from them along with opportunities for multi-disciplinary concerted interactions will set you on the path to success.

What to expect?

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Gain a good appreciation of all areas of our Drug Product development and manufacturing facilities at the Pfizer Sandwich site
• Gain good comprehension of how drug products such as tablets, capsules, injections are designed to transform a therapeutic entity into a patient centric, safe and effective medicine.
• Learn about and obtain hands on experience in manufacturing processes such as granulation, tablet compression, tablet coating, capsule filling, sterile fill finish, freeze drying, etc.
• Discover how manufacturing, materials management, the quality function, technical services and supply chain work collectively.
• Follow our drug products through the entire manufacturing process from raw materials to finished product shipped to clinical trial sites around the world
• Get involved in the development of robust processes at different scales to ensure consistent manufacture of the drug product to the required quality.
• Characterise drug substances and excipients using state of art techniques and study how material characteristics affect formulation design and drug delivery.
• Learn what happens to the medicine once administered, how is it absorbed, distributed and put to an effect once inside the body. Use advanced techniques and predictive science to study the biopharmaceutical profile of a medicine.
• Be part of dynamic, diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to follow the journey of our breakthrough medicines from a concept to clinical trials.
• Learn about various clinical trials and regulatory submissions.
• Learn about project management and continuous improvement
• Learn about the challenges of working in a highly regulated and controlled Pharmaceutical R&D business
• Attend a wide variety of learning and development courses and have access to mentors and trained career coaches

Organizational relationships

• Report to a Senior Manager in each rotational business line
• Buddy-up with an experienced scientist or technical expert in each rotational business line
• Mentors and/or Career Coach throughout the 2-year program

Administration:

• Full adherence to all Pfizer Environmental, Health and Safety, and Quality standards and procedures

Developing Capabilities:

• Decisive: Manage complexity and prioritise work based upon the business need
• Focussed: Identify opportunities for process improvement
• Connected: partner with others to accomplish shared goals and demonstrate Pfizer Values
• Inspiring: Motivate and develop self and others to move the business forward
• Courageous: Consistently demonstrate accountability in the face of challenges
• Resilient: reply to change with agility & optimism
• The Drug Product rotation program will attract graduates from various scientific disciplines, including pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, and biomedical sciences.

Qualifications

• on target to achieve a degree in a relevant scientific discipline
• a keen interest in formulation development, production, quality and supply
• a passion for science and technology, as well as people management and teamwork
• a keen interest in the healthcare industry
• to be eager to work with others
• a high level of flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to change
• resilience and strong problem-solving skills
• to be ready to acquire new knowledge and embrace new experiences

Location requirements

• Office location – Sandwich (100% Onsite)
• All applicants must have the relevant authorisation to live and work in the UK.

Please note that we only accept application forms. Please do not send over your CV or cover letter as they will not be considered.

Who can apply?

Candidates must be completing placement as part of a life science Degree at a UK University, either through Year in Industry/Industrial Placement or Gap Year.

Please access the Word version of the Application Form here the Graduate site on our website: Careers | Pfizer UK and find instructions as to how to complete your application.