Getting a job in industry after graduating

[Pharmanaut]

do you need that for industry entery?. Also how long ago did you graduate?

Bradford 1980 with 2.2 general honours.

[pharmacystudent]

If I get a PhD in a field of pharmaceutical science (e.g. medicinal chemistry) what salary I am expected to get in the industry? And what are my chances of being employed in the industry anyway?

[ferretmanabu]

If I get a PhD in a field of pharmaceutical science (e.g. medicinal chemistry) what salary I am expected to get in the industry? And what are my chances of being employed in the industry anyway?

Probably depends how good you are.

[rvdukc]

Seems a little obvious, but after you graduated, why not contact the various Pharma Agencies around? They will give you a better idea of where you are/where you can go etc.

The majority of them will be very experienced and will tell you how it is

[Asterix]

what are the major jobs within industry bar being a drug rep, manufacturing or qc. How hard is it to become a qp?

[Nik]

other jobs include working in research, clinical trials, marketing
To be a qp you need to know a lot of things (hence the name ) including:
Pharmacology of drug actives
Law relating to supply of medicines + manufacture etc
The technology behind the manufacture of medicines
Microbiology of medicines + products

I think to be a qp you also need to have a minimum experience in industry (1yr for pharmacists, although a lot more would be preferable) and relevant training

[Asterix]

other jobs include working in research, clinical trials, marketing
To be a qp you need to know a lot of things (hence the name ) including:
Pharmacology of drug actives
Law relating to supply of medicines + manufacture etc
The technology behind the manufacture of medicines
Microbiology of medicines + products

I think to be a qp you also need to have a minimum experience in industry (1yr for pharmacists, although a lot more would be preferable) and relevant training

there's not many qps in ewant to europe right. I seriously want to go into industry.

[Tony Schofield]

If I get a PhD in a field of pharmaceutical science (e.g. medicinal chemistry) what salary I am expected to get in the industry? And what are my chances of being employed in the industry anyway?

A PhD won't necessarily give you a bigger salary but it may get you selected ahead of a candidate without one.

Many companies have graduate training programmes. I remember being advised that this was the appropriate route into industry as a PhD narrowed your speciality. Companies could recruit a new graduate and "grow their own". Some of my friends who went into industry gained their PhDs whilst working for the company. (One is now chairman and chief executive of a bio-technology company who have sold and developed ideas for major companies. He is worth squillions.)

Before anyone asks "what is a graduate training scheme"? why don't you get a copy of the BNF and/or Chemist and Druggist price list where all pharmaceutical companies are listed. Look at their websites and make contact with them. So much in life is about being in the right place at the right time and recruitment into industry is no different. Most employers value a little initiative as opposed to people waiting to be asked. When I was a student we would have to post out hand written letters and put stamps on them. Now you can bombard them with e-mails.

However, don't e-mail the one query to every company you can find. Make sure each one looks like an individual query.

[Asterix]

A PhD won't necessarily give you a bigger salary but it may get you selected ahead of a candidate without one.

Many companies have graduate training programmes. I remember being advised that this was the appropriate route into industry as a PhD narrowed your speciality. Companies could recruit a new graduate and "grow their own". Some of my friends who went into industry gained their PhDs whilst working for the company. (One is now chairman and chief executive of a bio-technology company who have sold and developed ideas for major companies. He is worth squillions.)

Before anyone asks "what is a graduate training scheme"? why don't you get a copy of the BNF and/or Chemist and Druggist price list where all pharmaceutical companies are listed. Look at their websites and make contact with them. So much in life is about being in the right place at the right time and recruitment into industry is no different. Most employers value a little initiative as opposed to people waiting to be asked. When I was a student we would have to post out hand written letters and put stamps on them. Now you can bombard them with e-mails.

However, don't e-mail the one query to every company you can find. Make sure each one looks like an individual query.

Tony, I think unforutnately the only option available is to contact the manufacturers these days as the likes of GSK and AstraZeneca only give placements to 3rd year students by which time pre-reg applications have to be started.

May I ask of your opinion of on MBA Vs PHD?

[johnep]

Well no one will now get a placement in Dartford. This was the old B&W works and I well remember visiting here and Beckenham when a student.

As UK industry closes down and we have right to work in EU, why not try overseas. Or is language an effective barrier to keep us going into Europe.
No barrier to EU pharmacists coming to UK.
johnep