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R&D Graduate Rotation ProgrammeHomeCareersR&D Graduate Rotation ProgrammePfizer is committed to developing new talent across the R&D Pharmaceutical Sciences business units with a Drug Product focused Graduate Rotation programme.

Our graduate rotation programme is focused on developing key knowledge, skills and behaviours in the development and manufacture of medicines for clinical trials across the world. The 2-year programme will immerse participants into three 8-month job rotations in disciplines related to drug product development, manufacture, and supply.

The programme provides ample opportunities for graduates to make a real contribution to Pfizer’s R&D projects, explore scientific interests and develop a diverse skillset.

All three rotations will be completed at our Sandwich site, Kent, U.K. The rotations will provide hands-on experience in disciplines such as material science, drug product formulation and process development, biopharmaceutics and GMP manufacturing of the drug product for clinical trial supply. This will expose you to the journey of our medicines from a laboratory bench to a patient’s bed. You will work with colleagues who are recognised experts in the field, an extensive mentorship from them along with opportunities for multi-disciplinary interactions will set you on the path to success.

What should I expect?

You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Be part of dynamic, diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to follow the journey of our medicines from a concept to clinical trials.
  • Gain a good appreciation of all areas of our research, development and manufacturing facilities at the Pfizer Sandwich site.
  • Understand how drug products such as tablets, capsules and injections are designed to transform a therapeutic entity into a patient-centric, safe and effective medicine.
  • Learn about manufacturing processes such as granulation, tablet compression, tablet coating, capsule filling, sterile fill finish, freeze drying, etc.
  • Get involved in the development of robust processes at different scales to ensure consistent manufacture of the drug product to the required quality.
  • Follow our drug products through the entire manufacturing process from raw materials to finished product shipped to clinical trial sites around the world. Discover how manufacturing, materials management, the quality function, technical services, and supply chain work collectively to enable this.
  • Characterise drug substances and excipients using state-of-the-art techniques and study how material characteristics affect formulation design and drug delivery.
  • Learn what happens to the medicine once administered, how it is absorbed, distributed, and put to an effect once inside the body.
  • Use advanced techniques and predictive science to study the biopharmaceutical profile of a medicine.
  • Learn about various clinical trials and regulatory submissions.
  • Learn about project management and continuous improvement. Learn about the challenges of working in a highly regulated and controlled Pharmaceutical R&D business.
  • Attend a wide variety of learning and development courses and have access to mentors and trained career coaches.
How do I know if I'm eligible to apply?

In order to be eligible, you must:

  • Be legally authorised to work in the U.K.
  • Be currently enrolled at a UK University and completing a relevant degree course.
When will the Graduate Rotation programme begin and end?

The position will commence on, or around, 2nd September 2024 and finish on 31st August 2026.

How do I apply?

Applications for 2024 intake have now closed. Applications for the 2025 intake will likely open in August 2024

Where are the assignments located?

The R&D Graduate Rotation programme will be located at our R&D facility in Sandwich, Kent, UK.

CAREERSUndergraduate Vacancies

View our list of available undergraduate placements for the 2023/2024 academic year. 

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PP-UNP-GBR-7188 / October 2023
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