Laboratory Analyst Review

I am a laboratory analyst since 2018 years in a chemistry laboratory in a pharmaceutical company. The factory produces intravenous and irrigation solutions for hospitals for UK and worldwide. I am testing final products using, titration, gravimetric, photometry methods. I perform instrument calibrations on the weekly basis such as oxygen meter, Metrohm Dosinos, Finnpipettes, UV-VIS, polarimeters.

I feel more confident in the laboratory. I am constantly improving methods and using calculations more comfortably.

It is very good opportunity whose already in the work field without degree qualification. I did not have chance to go to university after my A-level studies and I start working straight away after college. The company gave me this opportunity and I very grateful for them and Manchester Metropolitan University to able to start this course.

Unfortunately not really well organised as the exam period bases on full time student programme. So I study units in a not make-sense structure. E.g. I started my year with Introduction the chemical analysis, then next term physical chemistry. Full time student studied them in the same term and this makes sense as they are belong each other, link each other. I missed knowledge from physical chemistry. Also, residential weeks in April, when I going to the laboratory at university. I have to write reports of units which I will start study in May. This is specially unfair. They say they cannot do anything about it because of full time students, so I have to accept they prefer full time student programme.

I have 1 day off per week and my mentor gives me tutorial 2 hours per week to help me understanding the units. This is very helpful as I watch lectures from recordings.

If I have problem I email them immediately. Most of them are very understanding. However they don't take consideration of I have holidays I have to take and try to enjoy. Basically it is no stop from end of September to end of August. So I take majority of my holiday in September. E.g. I have 28 days holiday, I take 15 days in September. It is no point to take during academic year as I must study and if I don't, I will get behind very quickly.

As I said I feel more confident. Beginning of my 3rd year I will able to start training chromatography, which is a chemist job role, so I have not been able to perform it before my degree apprenticeship. My supervisor allows it in September as I will study it in middle of my 3rd year.

Not really.

Yes

Opportunity for progression. Good holiday package, good health package.

If you know someone within the company, contact that person as there is a referral scheme.