We recently interviewed one of our contractors, Sarah, to find out what it’s like to work as a Associate Scientist. We asked what a general day involves, what experience and qualification are required for this job and what advice Sarah would give to an aspiring Associate Scientist.
1. What is your job title?
Associate Scientist
2. What does the company you work at do?
The company I work at researches, develops and manufactures innovative pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products.
3. What is your background? (qualifications and work experience)
My background is in project management / product delivery within a contract manufacturing organisation. I have a BSc in Chemistry and training in project management tools.
4. What does your job involve?
The role involves collating information for a knowledge transfer package. Synthesis notes, analytical methods, compound structures and relevant shipping and handling information is compiled into reports for each product.
5. What is a typical day like in your role?
A typical day involves using a variety of systems to search for product information and laboratory notebooks for each type of material so that a comprehensive report can be supplied to our Customer containing all the information they require to make, test and transport the product.
6. How did you get into your current job role? (Did you need a certain qualification or experience?)
My background in Pharmaceuticals, specifically in a GMP environment and project management experience helped me to get the role.
7. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the challenge of piecing together information for the reports and the customer interaction.
8. What is the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part is the more routine aspect of the role. Activities such as scanning the lab notebook pages can be tedious but it is satisfying to supply the customer with the information that they require to continue the supply of critical products.
9. Why did you decide to pursue this career?
This job allows me to use my degree and customer facing experience whilst giving me flexibility in my working hours.
10. What can this type of job lead on to?
I am hoping to be able to apply for similar positions within the same company in the future.
11. What advice would you give to somebody considering this role as a career?
Exposure to customer projects always provides variety and it can be necessary to respond to queries on demand which keeps you motivated.
12. Please tell us anything else that you would like to add about your job…
It has been very satisfying to be part of the chain in supplying this knowledge transfer.
You may also like to read:
Research Assistant job profile
A day in the life of a Research Scientist
