Medical Statistician Review

Spend 4 days a week in Biostats team. Go into London office 2 of those days and work from home the other 2 days. Normal day-to-day includes doing mix of adhoc checks on work contributing towards ongoing trial and also working on mid-long term projects that usually include some research around lage stage clinical trials or actively contribute towards submission of clinical trial. Am working alongside wide range of people across clinical team depending on needs. Also, take part in range of work initiatives outside normal day-to-day schedule. Spend one day a week studying towards masters in Applied stats with health sciences. Also, as part of apprenticeship am encouraged to conduct student outreach/volunteering too.

I have picked up new coding languages whilst reinforcing current understanding. Am still learning a lot about the clinical pharma world and am constantly learning about clinical trials/the pharma industryas a whole. Apprenticeship has allowed me to build on soft skills like communication, presenting, mentorship etc.

It is an incredible program and more companies should take part in the level 7 apprenticeships, especially in the pharma industry. Without it, I do not think I would have pursued a masters degree or been able to join the clinical pharmaceutical industry. Overall it has been essential to starting my career in pharma

Extra curricular events have been well run and meaningful. Overall structure is very clear and well run. Some communication around off/on boarding could be made clearer.

Lots of support from manager, apprenticeship team and colleagues. Company has been very flexible allowing me to study and contribute to projects as per my schedule. On odd occasion, find it difficult working in global corporate company- working across several time zones can mean long hours.

Uni have been excellent at providing support and being understanding of priorities with work by shifting deadlines to suit my needs. Where apprenticeship program is still new, uni have been working diligently to ensure that program works in terms of masters and work-uni interaction

Courses have accurately reflected knowledge needed for clinical pharma world whilst accounting for needs of statistician in different stages of clinical pharma (I.e., early vs late stage). Current climate around clinical pharma is constantly changing and some languages are being made less relevant due to ever evolving landscape.

Work initiatives include professional networking events, sports events, social gatherings and opportunities to collaborate with people across business functions but also allows opportunities to engage with students/young professionals and help give advice and kick start their careers. Apprenticeship program, specifically at GSK, includes team building events that take place once a year. These events range from 2 days to a week and normally involve team building exercises outdoors that encourages collaboration with peers. Great opportunity to network with other Apprentices across entire company.

Yes

Level 7 program has been integral to me shifting career and joining clinical pharma world. Would not have had opportunity to pursue masters without program. Has given me chance to join industry that I would not have been able to break into without apprentice program

.if you don't know a technical question still try to respond with how you would follow up on question in work setting .always ask questions where possible/relevant .try to be specific and detailed when responding to qualitative answers .read up on company ethos and memorise key messages .write up plenty of notes and prepare well in advance for common questions .don't rely on Gen AI, especially for face-to-face interviews over teams/zoom. It is obvious when you use it and usually means you are not seriously considered for role .read up around GSK history, including breakthrough drugs, commercial and research split etc. .think about why you want to join the clinical pharma industry but also, genuinely consider why GSK over other clinical pharma companies