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My Industrial Placement
15th February 2012
Where I work
• Company: Pfizer
Pfizer is the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company
• Division: R&D (research and development)
Before a new drug can be marketed it must undergo many clinical trials to
test safety and efficacy. There a 4 phases of clinical development.
• Location: Neusentis, Cambridge
Neusentis specializes in Pain & Sensory Disorders and Regenerative Medicine
Advantages of doing a Placement Year
•
Can give you ideas for future career
•
Relevant industry experience
• Start building your professional network
Sometimes its who you know, not what you know!
• It’s a paid job
But don’t do it for the money!
•
Chance to explore a new area
•
Meet new people
•
Improve your skills
•
Ideas for final year project
Department : Clinical Pharmacology
Clinical pharmacology (PK/PD) plays a key role across the R&D business. The
Enhanced Quantitative Drug Development (EQDD) initiative, brings a
disciplined approach to developing quantitative models to inform strategy,
trial design as well as decision-making in planning and executing drug
development. Within Clinical Research, we have developed a culture
where quantitative clinical pharmacologists (thats me) work in
partnership with clinicians, pharmacometricians and statisticians, using
these models to optimize the efficiency of decision making in the drug
development process.
My Role as an Industrial Trainee
• Help scientists to make dose selection decisions and evaluate
the safety of our potential new medicines
• Visualise and manipulate data obtained from clinical studies
based on appropriate analysis
• Develop mathematical models that describe and/or predict the
effects of our drugs on patients with a range of illnesses
• Quantitative skills to integrate pharmacometric knowledge
from various sources and explore sources of variability in
both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic responses
Some Pharma Jargon!
Pharmacometrics - the science that quantifies drug, disease and
trial information to aid efficient drug development, regulatory decisions and
rational drug treatment in patients.
Pharmacokinetics - what the body does to the drug.
Pharmacodynamics - what the drug does to the body.
What Key Competencies are essential for my
job?
•
Background in a quantitative science such as mathematics, engineering,
statistics, physics or IT
•
A passion to develop mathematical models of complex systems, to understand
how our drugs impact biological processes
•
A passion to develop skills that will enable communication of inferences drawn
from your models to a wider audience
•
An enthusiasm to develop excellent skills in data analytical/ mathematical
modelling tools
•
Excellent oral and written communication skills
•
Ability to work effectively in a team environment
•
Self-management
•
Motivated to learn
How did I get my job?
•
Had CV checked by placement office in summer
• In September started applying for jobs
Remember: the placement website is a good starting point but also do your own research
The big companies often advertise early! Beware: Places might be filled before application
deadline so apply early!!
•
Applications opened in October, deadline at the end of the month.
• Filled out application form and got it check by Placement office.
Good to get their feedback on answers to competency questions!
•
Interview offered in December
• Had mock interview with Elaine
Really useful!
• Had face-to-face interview
Be confident about your CV and the job description, make sure you have good questions
prepared!
•
Offered placement day after the interview!
What courses that you took as an
undergraduate prepared you for what you are
doing now?
• MaTT
Taught me valuable excel skills and how to produce professional-looking plots
• Numerical Methods and computer algorithms
Knowledge of MatLab has helped me understand how to use other similar
modelling programmes
• Probability and Statistics
Basic statistics knowledge helps me give a more meaningful analysis when
looking at datasets
How extra curricular activities (ECs) helped to
get me the placement ?
Example of some of my ECs:
•
Treasurer at MathSoc – I was able to talk about events I had organised aswell as proving
my ability to work in a diverse team of staff and students
•
Part-time work – This shows I have a work ethic and understand professional behaviour
•
Member of dance society – I was able to talk passionately about something I enjoyed
•
World Challenge – This gave me the chance to talk about different skills I used as well as
an interesting story to tell!
Having ECs on your CV help show the employer that you are a well-rounded individual and also
give you a chance to showcase some desirable skills e.g. Teamwork, communication etc...
They also give you something to talk about with the interviewer as most of the times they will
end up being your supervisor and they want someone that they can get on with for a year!
What do I want to be doing in 5 years
time?
In final year of PhD study!
How does my present position prepare me for that?
Relevant industry experience to help
support my application to MSc and
PhD programmes
Any Questions?