Applied Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences by LJMUCareers

Applied Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences CAREER INSIGHT

LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 â?&#x161; careers@ljmu.ac.uk

www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers

Career Insight: Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction Your degree in Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences will offer you a wide range of career opportunities in the pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnological, forensic science, food, healthcare, cosmetics and related industries. If you decide not to enter these industries the skills you develop through your degree programme will open up opportunities outside of these areas including careers in banks, hospitals, offices, schools and the outdoor environment. Planning for your career and gaining experience throughout your course will benefit you when you graduate. Take advantage of work experience opportunities, attend careers talks at LJMU and go along to networking events to develop your skills and help you decide what area you want to move into. You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and following relevant organisations through Twitter to keep up to date with opportunities and developments in the industry. Many employers use social media to post work experience vacancies so take advantage of using the site to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there.

Typical job options Please note that some of the jobs listed below or overleaf may require further study or training. Please use the website links given, to research each job further. Analytical Chemist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/analytical_chemist_job_description.htm Clinical Research Associate www.prospects.ac.uk/clinical_research_associate_job_description.htm Pharmacologist www.prospects.ac.uk/pharmacologist_entry_requirements.htm Clinical Scientist https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/clinicalscientist.aspx Analytical Chemist www.prospects.ac.uk/analytical_chemist_job_description.htm Clinical Biochemist www.prospects.ac.uk/clinical_biochemist_entry_requirements.htm Food scientist/technologist www.prospects.ac.uk/food_technologist_job_description.htm Scientific Laboratory Technician www.prospects.ac.uk/scientific_laboratory_technician_job_description.htm Toxicologist www.prospects.ac.uk/toxicologist_job_description.htm

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp

ÂŠ 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Career Insight: Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Other options with your degree: Medical Sale Representatives https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/medicalsalesrepresenta tive.aspx Secondary School Teacher http://www.prospects.ac.uk/secondary_school_teacher_job_description.htm Market Research data analyst https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/marketresearchdataana lyst.aspx Some graduates also use their skills as a platform to train for a career within the health sector. For example there are accelerated courses available to graduates which can enable you to train to work in the health field. There are two year Masters Courses which are available in careers areas such as dietetics, radiography, physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. These courses are usually available to those who are studying (or who are predicted to obtain) a science degree. Make sure that you check the entry requirements though, with individual universities before applying. You may need to apply for some of these courses early in your final year. There are also four year accelerated course which are available in dentistry or medicine. To find out more about these courses do a search via www.ucas.com. Make sure as well that you attend the workshop about apply to graduate courses in dentistry and medicine which takes place every term. (You can find out when the next workshop is by going to: https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events/). If you are interested in working as a scientist within the NHS then you may wish to consider the Scientist Training Programme which you can find out more about by looking at this website: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/training/nhs-scientist-trainingprogramme-(stp)/ You would normally need to apply to these job opportunities during your final year. The suggestions listed here are by no means exhaustive so we would encourage you to consider other relevant options, e.g. based on previous work or voluntary experience, skills and interests. To explore job options by sector, check http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm and here https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobfamily/Pages/default.aspx. If you are interested in health related careers you should find useful information on the NHS Careers website at: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk.You can also use career planning tools like http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm and http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report to generate initial career ideas. As advised, please ensure you check entry requirements for each area, e.g. will you need a degree in a specific subject? Is a 2:1 degree classification essential? Will you need to complete a postgraduate degree? Is any specific work experience required? We also recommend that you download a copy of our “Planning your Career” guide from the Careers Team website at https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp. This includes a list of useful questions to help you explore your career options and introduces you to the DOTS model to help you with your career planning.

Main employers Chemical and Pharmaceutical science graduates enter employment in a variety of organisations in the private, public and not-for-profit sector. Typical employers include

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp

© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Career Insight: Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

•

Pharmaceutical companies such as Astra Zeneca and GlaxoSmithKline

•

Manufacturers of household goods (eg Unilever).

•

Food manufacturers

•

Forensic science employers (local employers include LGC Forensics and Key Forensic Services)

•

Retailers and supermarket chains

•

Government research establishments

•

Schools, FE colleges and universities

•

The NHS (both allied health professions and management/administration roles).

•

Companies employing medical sales representatives on behalf of pharmaceuticals companies (such as Ashfield In2Focus and Quintiles).

All occupational profiles listed on http://www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm include a section on typical employers and vacancy sources, so use these as a starting point to research potential employers within the career areas that interest you. To find out more about laboratory based job opportunities, please consult our guide about looking for paid employment or work experience within a laboratory setting. This guide can be downloaded from our website here: https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm If you are interested specifically in working in the pharmaceutical industry, then it is worthwhile exploring the range of options which are open to you such as within research and development and manufacturing and supply. There are also roles in quality assurance and clinical research. You can find more information about the range of job roles available on the ABPI (Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry) website - http://careers.abpi.org.uk/ Furthermore, on this website you can also find details of pharmaceutical employers across the UK and the graduate jobs or placements which they have available. There are also opportunities for ACAPS graduates within the commercial field of the pharmaceutical industry. This includes opportunities to work as a medical sales representative. Two employers who have graduate job opportunities within medical sales are Quintiles and Ashfield In2Focus Ltd.

Useful links and websites

•

LJMU Vacancy website http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk/

•

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Careers http://careers.abpi.org.uk (on here you can also find a list of pharmaceutical employers)

•

Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs http://www.prospects.ac.uk/

•

TargetJobs – Careers information and graduate jobs http://targetjobs.co.uk/

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp

Career Insight: Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

•

Milkround – Graduate jobs, placements & internships http://www.milkround.com/

•

Jobs in the public sector http://www.lgjobs.com/ http://www.jobsgopublic.com/

•

NHS http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/ http://www.nhsgraduates.co.uk/

•

Jobs in Universities http://www.jobs.ac.uk/

•

Vacancies in higher education and research http://www.jobs.ac.uk/

•

Graduate Talent Pool – Graduate internship opportunities http://graduatetalentpool.direct.gov.uk/

•

Royal Society of Chemistry http://www.rsc.org/

•

Institute of Biomedical Science http://www.ibms.org/

•

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society www.rpharms.com/home/home.asp

Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter: •

@LJMUCareers

•

@targetjobsUK

•

@NHS_Careers

•

@ChemistryWorld

•

@ABPI_UK

Sources of work experience Download our mini-guide on “Making yourself employable whilst at University” from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm for an overview of the different types of work experience available and some general suggestions about finding work experience opportunities. Once you have some initial career ideas, undertaking work experience or voluntary work in these areas can be a great way not only to find out whether this role would be right for you but also to build up a network of professionals and organisations in your chosen sector, which can often lead to further work experience or even a full-time role after graduating.

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp

Career Insight: Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Contacting organisations directly via email or through LinkedIn or speaking with people at networking events may lead to work experience. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevancy of your course. Look at the skills outlined above and try to discuss these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills. Make sure you research the organisation beforehand and find out the best person to get in touch with. It is important that you demonstrate that you are interested in the organisation and have spent some time finding out what they do. Useful websites to research a range of voluntary opportunities include http://www.do-it.org.uk/ and http://www.volunteeringliverpool.org.uk/. You could also contact LJMU Volunteering Manager Chris Prescott on 0151 904 6356 or c.j.prescott@ljmu.ac.uk to enquire about current opportunities. It is also worth researching relevant organisations/charities and contacting them directly to find out about voluntary roles on offer. Voluntary work in a local hospital is certainly a good way to gain some useful experience for a future career in the healthcare sector. You may even need to complete a specific amount of work experience in order to apply to certain health related courses. Please bear in mind that the application process for voluntary work in hospitals can take several months, and some hospitals even have waiting lists for volunteers, so ensure that you apply well in advance and also consider other types of voluntary work, e.g. in a care home, a hospice or a mental health charity. If you are interested in working in a laboratory setting in the future then it is very useful to gain any type of laboratory experience. You may be able to find laboratory experience within a variety of job sectors such as in the food or manufacturing industries or within a NHS or private hospital laboratory. Schools or universities may also employ laboratory technicians and therefore you could try approaching them for experience, as well. Please also refer to our mini guide about looking for laboratory based experience, for further advice. This guide can be accessed here: https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm

Recruitment schedule Recruitment cycles and deadlines will vary depending on the type of work you are applying for. Research is crucial to ensure that you do not miss relevant opportunities. If completing a placement with an organisation you would like to work for after graduation, ask your employers if they are aware of any opportunities coming up and when these are likely to be advertised. You may also find work through small and medium-sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of companies recruit ‘as required’. They may use their own application form but most applications will be by CV and covering letter. These positions will be advertised on company websites, relevant recruitment websites, the Job Centre, and national and local newspapers. The ‘creative’ or ‘speculative’ approach to job hunting, outlined above, is also important when looking for graduate roles. Making contacts and approaching organisations speculatively to look for work is a common route into employment. For more information about the speculative approach to job hunting, download a copy of our guide to ‘The Hidden Jobs Market’ from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm Many graduate training schemes with large companies will accept applications from students of any degree background. If you are interested in these roles, you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final-year students. Most closing dates are in November and December, but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp

Career Insight: Applied Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’. This may be followed by psychometric tests, a telephone interview and an assessment centre. You may also need to submit your CV. Most of the large recruiters have a section on the student/graduate pages of their website that outlines the different steps of their selection process, so check these to find out what is required. For more information about graduate schemes, download the ‘Graduate Schemes’ guide from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm

You can get advice about the recruitment process by booking a one-to-one appointment with a careers or employability adviser or you can attend relevant workshops in the Careers Zones.

Key events and networking •

Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk for additional events

•

Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university: www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/events/graduaterecruitmentfair/ for details

•

Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events/ for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.

•

LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: www.liverpoolsu.com/groups

•

LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry

Other information LJMU Enterprise Fellowship Programme – Support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business. Further details can be found here: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/ including eligibility, timescales and training dates.

Careers Zone Our campus-based Careers Zones are based in the reception area of James Parsons Building at Byrom Street, in Aldham Robarts Library and in IM Marsh Library. Call in for help with any careers enquiries, to book an appointment with our advisers, pick up careers guides and resources, meet employers, book a practice interview and much more.

https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/Careers/index.asp

Looking for out of hours careers support? Access our suite of online careers tools at any time, from anywhere ...

CAREERS ZONE

24/7

❙❙ CV builder ❙❙ Interview simulator ❙❙ Job search websites ❙❙ Careers Newsroom ❙❙ Psychometric testing and

assessment centre practice portal ❙❙ GoinGlobal international jobs database Access Careers Zone 24/7 from the Careers website:

www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers LJMU CAREERS WORLD OF WORK CAREERSTEAM CENTRE 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk || worldofwork@ljmu.ac.uk 0151 231 2048/3719

www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers www2.ljmu.ac.uk/worldofwork