On Friday 12th March 2010, CK Science, the leading independent scientific and engineering recruitment agency, visited The University of Hertfordshire, to award a prize to the best Industrial Placement Year.
The prize was awarded to Emily Rivers. Emily completed her placement year at Southend University Hospital. The placement was one that Emily successfully secured herself, and was unpaid.
In order to generate some much needed cash Emily made money by:
Training as a phlebotomist and working part-time in the clinic
Working as part-time Medical Laboratory Assistant in the evenings
Emily was holding down 3 jobs during her placement year. Despite this, she still successfully completed her portfolio well within the time period and impressively gained a Distinction at the City and Guilds Licentiateship. Speaking of her achievement, Emily’s supervisor said that she was an asset to the department and had the potential to “take her career far”.
Benefits of the Industrial Placement Year
Completing a placement year is a great way for students to not only gain invaluable work experience but also to increase your employability. Research shows that 70 per cent of employers prefer students with work experience.
Taking a placement is also a useful way for you to explore possible career opportunities and help you make potentially valuable contacts to help you once you have graduated.
Completed an Industrial Placement Year in Science? Register with CK Science Now!
CK Science is a leading independent scientific recruitment agency for science jobs. We successfully help some of the top scientific, chemical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies from around the world to recruit high calibre individuals to their science jobs.
We are always on the look out for science graduates who have completed an industrial placement year. If you are an experienced graduate looking for your dream job in science, register with CK Science here.
In partnership with the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, scientists at the University of Manchester and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will be working together to investigate how the biological clock controls inflammation in lung diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
It is hoped that the £500,000 study, which will be funded by GSK, will lead to the development of new drugs that will target how the internal body clock regulates the severity of inflammation. The team at the University of Manchester will be headed up by Professors Andrew Loudon, David Ray and Kath Else. This team will work closely with colleagues in the Discovery Biology group at GSK.
Speaking of the collaboration, Professor Loudon or the faculty of life sciences, stated:
“Many inflammatory diseases are highly rhythmic in presentation and often worse at night. We believe there is also a strong rhythmic control. It has long been speculated that asthma and other inflammatory conditions have an underlying clock mechanism controlling the severity of the disease. These clocks are all over the body, including in cells responsible for the immune response in the lung. In addition the way we metabolise drugs is highly rhythmic. Our aim is to gain a sufficient understanding of this process so we can target key parts with specific new drugs.
“We are working with GSK not only to develop new drugs to alleviate symptoms but also reveal optimal timing of therapy, known as chronotherapy. This is a new and exciting area of research. It is being taken very seriously in France, for example, where researchers have for some time been studying the importance of timing of chemotherapy in cancer. This study is just one at the beginning of an exciting new phase in circadian rhythm research.”
Inflammatory diseases of the lung are a major cause of mortality world-wide. In the case of COPD, the progression of this inflammatory disease is irreversible once commenced. In the UK 27,478 people died as a result of COPD in 2004. Other diseases with an inflammatory aspect include asthma, which is a predisposition to chronic inflammation of the lungs in which the airways are reversibly narrowed.
Our client, a key player within the Chemical Sector, are currently looking for a Technical Manager to join their team based in the North-Mid Wales/North West of England area.Technical Manager will lead the technical department ensuring it effectively and efficiently meets the current and future needs of the business.
The roles and responsibilities of this Technical Manager position will include:
Leading and managing the Technical and Laboratory Functions.
Ensuring efficient management systems, working practices and reporting systems are in place.
To reorganise the department into a flexible, efficient resource that meets the varying technical needs of the business – today and tomorrow.
Clarify the roles and responsibilities within the Technical Department and introduce management by objectives, appraisals and similar techniques to monitor and manage performance and outputs.
Keep abreast of legislative and technology changes and manage the threats and / or opportunities they bring.
Establish first class housekeeping, health and safety, MSDS management and similar laboratory procedures.
The ideal candidate for this Technical Manager position will possess an HNC qualification in chemistry or degree in chemistry (or equivalent). Previous experience of working with formulations/ coatings/ paints in a laboratory environment is essential and the candidate will be expected to possess excellent communication, problem solving, leadership, planning and organisation skills and be a good team player. A knowledge of industrial and marine coatings is also desirable but is not essential. Candidates must be eligible to work in the EEA.
How to Apply
To hear more or to apply for this Technical Manager role, please contact Victoria Walker on 0114 283 9956 vwalker@ckscience.co.uk. Please quote reference SH19409 in all correspondence.
If you do not hear back from us within 5 working days of your application for this role, it means that on this occasion you have not been shortlisted for the next stage of the recruitment campaign.
About CK Science
CK Science is the largest independent scientific recruitment company in the UK. Our team of specialist recruiters are here to help you achieve your career ambitions within the scientific industry. We actively offer you careers advice, help with writing your CV, assistance with interview preparation and up-to-date information about the industry. We pride ourselves on providing an honest, straight-forward and trustworthy service to both our clients and candidates.
According to a report by The Royal Society, if the UK does not invest heavily in science and scientific research, it will face decades of sluggish economic decline.
The report warned that Britain’s current advantage is in danger of being wiped out by the US, China, India, France and Germany who have increased spending in science to help boost their economies. For instance, the German government has said it will increase their budget for education and research by 12bn Euros by 2013.
Sir Martin Taylor, chair of the report’s advisory group stated: “As France announces a new €35bn investment in the knowledge economy, the UK cuts university budgets by £600m, with the threat of more to come.
“The UK has been in the top two of the scientific premier league for the last 350 years. It would seem obvious that politicians would recognise the need to invest in this competitive advantage rather than cutting funds.”
Lord Waldegrave, former Science Minister and provost of Eton College said: “Times are tough but this is exactly when you need to invest in the future and focus spending where you already have an advantage.
“Investment in science cannot be turned on and off on a political whim – we must have a long-term investment. If we cut science now, just as the benefits of nearly twenty years of consistent policy are really beginning to bear fruit, we will seriously damage our economic prospects.”
The report praises the fact that patents granted to UK universities have increase by 136% between 2000 and 2008, and that university spin outs employed 14,000 people in 2007/2008 with a turnover of £1.1bn. However, it seems that research and development is a weakness for the UK – in 2007 British companies spent 1.14% of GDP on R&D while in the US spent 1.9% and Germany 1.8%.
Experts in the field recommend the following to help remedy the situation:
Creating a 15 year framework for science and innovation with increased spending.
Prioritising investment in scientific skills and infrastructure, such as laboratories and equipment.
Better aligning science and innovation with global challenges.
Revitalising science and mathematics education.
And expanding the R&D tax credit.
Lord Sainsbury, the former science minister and member of the advisory group said: “We cannot compete with countries such as China and India on the basis of low wages, and science and innovation must, therefore, be the basis of the strategy for growth which we need to have as we go into a tough period of fiscal consolidation.”
Napp Pharmaceutical Holdings, part of a worldwide association of independent pharmaceutical companies, has been announced as the 5th best company to work for by The Sunday Times. This is the first time in the 4 years the company has entered the contest, that they have broken into the top 5.
According to the survey conducted by The Sunday Times, one in five employees at Napp has worked at the company for over a decade. Further impressive findings include:
84% of staff believe the company makes a difference to the world.
83% love working for the company and are happy with their pay and benefits.
69% of staff believe they are paid fairly for the work they do relative to others in the organization.
71% say their salary reflects their responsibilities.
77% of staff report that Managers regularly express their appreciation when a team member does a good job.
80% believe that working at Napp is good for personal growth.
This positive culture at Napp has been the product of Managing Director, Antony Mattessich. He introduced the company ‘charter’ which established four core aims of the organization. This initiative allows employees to have their say on the direction of the business, giving them the freedom to discuess with the departments as to how they can help the firm meet its objectives.
Julie Worth, Area Sales Manager, has been part of the charter group. “It just amazed me — I was actually having a say in how the business was run,” she says. “You’re working with directors and you learn that people are genuinely approachable. They really listen.”
Mattessich’s positive impact on the company was reflected in the results of the survey conducted by The Sunday Times:
73% of employees agree that senior managers listen to staff.
81% feel inspired by Mattessich’s leadership.
87% of employees are proud to work for the company.
So, what in your opinion makes a company a good place to work? Please feel free to share your comments and stories below.
Our client, a global leader in pharmaceuticals, are currently looking for an Analytical Chemist to join their team based in the North East of England on a long term contract basis (12 months initially).
This Analytical Chemist role is based in a manufacturing environment and will involve you will carry out a range of analytical tests including HPLC, GC, FTIR and other techniques.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain industrial experience for your CV as the client is highly respected within the pharmaceutical industry.
The ideal candidate for this Analytical Chemist role will be educated to degree, HNC, or A Level in Chemistry and will have recent demonstrable experience working in a laboratory environment although training will be given.
If you are interested in hearing more about this Analytical Chemist role, please contact Heather Deagle on 0191 3848905 or email hdeagle@ckscience.co.uk.
If you do not hear back from us within 5 working days of your application for this role, it means that on this occasion you have not been shortlisted for the next stage of the recruitment campaign. Entitlement to work in the UK is essential. Please quote reference DH19363 in all correspondence.
CK Science is the largest independent scientific recruitment company in the UK. Our team of specialist recruiters are here to help you achieve your careerambitions within the scientific industry. We actively offer you careers advice, help with writing your CV, assistance with interview preparation and up-to-date information about the industry. We pride ourselves on providing an honest, straight-forward and trustworthy service to both our clients and candidates.
Our client is a global Pharmaceutical company based in Cambridge. They are looking for a Senior QA Officer to act as a liaison between the company plants and contractors for bulk and components supplied by the plants to the contractors.
As a Senior QA Officer, your key role will be to modify, audit and ensure contractor quality standards and protocol for processing material into finished product. You will also be involved in conducting contractor quality assurance audits and coordinating the development of documentation for the contractor manual.
Suitable candidates for this Senior QA Officer role should have a broad knowledge of cGMP for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry and have an understanding of worldwide regulatory affairs. It is also essential that you have previous experience of working within Quality Assurance and knowledge of Quality Control techniques and testing methodologies is beneficial. Entitlement to work in the EEA is essential.
If you would like more information about this Senior QA Officer role, please contact Lucy Campell on 01438 723 500 or email lcampbell@ckscience.co.uk. Please quote reference ST19212 in all correspondence.
CK Science is the largest independent scientific recruitment company in the UK. Our team of specialist recruiters are here to help you achieve your career ambitions within the scientific industry. We actively offer you careers advice, help with writing your CV, assistance with interview preparation and up-to-date information about the industry. We pride ourselves on providing an honest, straight-forward and trustworthy service to both our clients and candidates.
Data Analyst Required for Leading Technology Consultancy based in Cambridgeshire, UK
Our client, an industry leading Technology Consultancy, are currently looking for a Scientist (Life Science discipline) to join their state-of-the-art facilities based in Cambridgeshire. Joining their Technology Development Team, you will be involved in a range of development projects surrounding technology for the Medical Device, Healthcare and Consumer industries.
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will be responsible for gathering data from internal and external sources (industry/client interviews, market competitor, research results) and presenting results to relevant project managers.
This is an exciting time to join an innovative organisation who specialise in the development of bespoke technology for clients within the Medical, Healthcare and Consumer markets. In return they offer a very attractive salary and benefits package.
To be considered for this role, you will have a degree in biochemistry, molecular biology or a related life science discipline (or equivalent experience) and demonstrated experience of data analysis and presentation within a technology, medical device or related environment.
If you would like to hear more about this Data Analyst job, please contact Andrew Bolton on 01438 723 500 or email abolton@ckscience.co.uk.
If you are successful after the first round of screening, we will contact you within five working days. Entitlement to work in the EEA is essential. Please quote reference ST19293 in all correspondence.
About CK Science
CK Science is the largest independent scientific recruitment company in the UK. Our team of specialist recruiters are here to help you achieve your career ambitions within the scientific industry. We actively offer you careers advice, help with writing your CV, assistance with interview preparation and up-to-date information about the industry. We pride ourselves on providing an honest, straight-forward and trustworthy service to both our clients and candidates.
The global pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have announced that they will be cutting 380 pharmaceutical jobs at their site in Harlow, Essex. The site currently employs 1,150 staff. The cuts come as projects for pain relief, anxiety and depression drugs come to an end. Despite reporting an annual rise in profits of 12% earlier this year, the pharma company are still stressing the need to make cost savings.
GSK’s CEO, Andrew Witty stated that “Glaxo would discontinue research in some areas including depression and pain, and would focus more on degenerative and inflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”
Glaxo has its headquarters in Brentford, Middlesex, and research bases at Stevenage and Ware in Hertfordshire and Harlow in Essex.
CK Science is an innovative, dynamic company providing a comprehensive, confidential and specialist recruitment service to the chemical, pharmaceutical, engineering, biotechnology and waste & environmental industries.
CK Science help recruit well informed, qualified and motivated candidates for permanent and contract positions across the UK and Europe. CK Science is trusted and respected by our clients, who appreciate our professionalism, integrity and commitment to finding the right person for the job.
In order to maintain this excellent level of service, CK Science have appointed a new Recruitment Professional, Victoria Walker, to join their team. Speaking of Victoria’s arrival to the team, Russell Oakley, Manager at CK Science, stated, ‘We are really pleased to have Victoria joining the recruitment team here in Chesterfield. With an MSc in Chemistry and experience of the recruitment industry Victoria is ideally qualified to take control of permanent recruitment for the chemicals, waste, environmental and analytical testing sectors. We are looking forward to implementing her skills and experience in order to grow the sector further through 2010.’
If you would like CK Science to help you with your recruitment needs within the chemical, waste, environmental and analytical testing sectors, please call 0114 283 9956.
On Friday 12th March 2010, CK Science, the leading independent scientific and engineering recruitment agency, visited The University of Hertfordshire, to award a prize to the best Industrial Placement Year.
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