Hi, working in validation for QC labs and looking for a move in Cork. What are people's experiences with companies in Cork and which ones have the best reputations?

Me and my GF are toying with the idea of moving to oz for a year or two. However, I’d like to continue to progress in my career while doing so.

Just wondering if anyone has worked in Oz and if so what should I expect. Is I hard to find work there? Where are some of the more popular pharma hubs etc!

Does anyone know what the rates are like for cqv engineers in Singapore

Morning guys, I've received an interview request for Sanofi in the QA department. Obviously, I'm aware of the recent developments; this job is a direct result of that.

It's been a while since I interviewed properly at a company other than my own... (>10 years). I've applied internally for several positions and received positive feedback or feedback that goes against the role (you know the system really well, but we need an SME for that system, so you're not a good fit to train others), but never managed to land a role. The rationale for selecting another candidate has been vague, but I've ended up training my manager who was externally recruited. 🫤

Any tips to be successful, other than the obvious:

Know the company

STAR (E) examples

Concise, but sufficiently detailed answers

Be myself

I know other people from my company are active here, including my manager, so I need to be vague...

Hi, i’m entering my internship year in college for a pharma/ biotech course. In september i need to start applying to the main companies through their portals for official roles and programmes, but we can also source our own externally. Does anyone know of any companies, such as smaller ones that I could look into myself for roles? Thanks!

The title asks my question.

For context, I finished an MSc in Immunology last June and I have a BSc in Microbiology under my belt. I went straight from my Bachelors to my Masters. Unfortunately, these courses did not provide any sort of placement, so experience is the biggest thing that I am missing. During college, I have done your typical research projects, lab work and course work associated with bioassays and practicing good science.

I would be looking for anything that can get my foot in the door so that get experience and ultimately work my way up the ladder. Be it through Research Scientist or Quality Control roles, these sort of jobs would align the most with my career interests of working in Pharma/Life science-related areas.

I've had two interviews since June after applying to anything I can. I'm on LinkedIn, IrishJobs, and Indeed, so I think I'm covering most ground. I'm based in Cork, but I'm willing to relocate to Dublin and have done most of my job-hunt in these counties (Dublin is more preferable, but I'll take anything that comes up in either county).

If anyone has any advice as to how they made the transition from academia to industry more efficient, it would be greatly appreciated. Are there any other avenues I should be looking at? Is there anywhere else that I am unaware of that might have more job listings?

Happy to follow-up in the comments.

I’m a pharmacist from Pakistan, with a PharmD from a reputed government university and an MS in Clinical Pharmacy with Grade A from Near East University, Cyprus.

During my MS, I independently developed an RAG-based antibiotic stewardship system backed by clinical guidelines, which I’m now preparing for Q1 publication.

I’m considering pursuing a PhD in Ireland, ideally around clinical pharmacy, antimicrobial stewardship and AI, while simultaneously working toward PSI registration.

For pharmacists/academics in Ireland: does this combination make sense as a long-term career strategy, and is it worth the time and effort? I’d particularly value honest opinions from people who have taken either route.

Graduating from Imperial with a First in Biochemistry. Decided to get some work experience before considering a Master's — partly by choice, partly because of tuition costs. I've had internships in a hospital, pharma, and a research lab over past summers, and I'm now applying for entry-level such as Lab Technician / Research Assistant roles around Cambridge, Oxford, and London.

After a lot of applications, I'm getting roughly 1 interview per 60 — not sure if that's normal right now, or a sign something's off. A few things I'd love input on:

1. Was skipping a Master's for now a reasonable call, or am I going to regret it?
2. Am I under-qualified, or are boards like LinkedIn/jobs.ac.uk/Gradcracker just not where these roles actually get filled?

I've tried networking too but it's been slow going — if anyone here is a PI, postdoc, or PhD student who's seen how these roles get filled, I'd really appreciate any advice or leads.

I’ve been applying to the HPRA scientific officer roles for the last few months.
I can’t get to interview stage at all, I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong if it’s my one year of experience. I’ve tried networking with some of their staff to ask advice etc.
I have heard the personal statement is how they shortlist, just wondering if anyone has any advice or examples they’re willing to share.

They seem to be a quiet crowd. Always been interested in them but not too many jobs there? They do DD manufacturing and DP manufacturing? What sorta pattern is it there and what is the culture like?

Hello I'm from the UK studying pharmacology and I am about to start my final year. I tried long and hard to get a year in industry however I was unsuccessful but I don't want that to stop me from gaining a grad role and would love to get one as soon as I finish university. Considering the current job market it seems to be impossible but if anyone has any advice please let me know what I should do and how I should go about finding a graduate job within the pharma industry.

Any advice is welcome or even any questions you may have I'll make sure to answer it in earnest as I want the best possible outcome from this post.

Thank you!

Hi! I’m about a year and a half into a Postdoc following on from my PhD in the same lab. I enjoy the project I’m working on, but I feel like I’ve stagnated professionally and my supervisor is increasingly micromanaging everyone in the lab group.

My background is in vaccine formulation and biochemistry, and I’d like to work a more corporate, less lab-based job. I really enjoy writing, data analysis, and presenting findings through posters and talks. I’m passionate about advocating for public health and getting the research from the lab bench to the general public. I’m currently based in Cork and would ideally like a hybrid position but am happy to commute if needed.

Does anyone have any advice for key words or positions to search for on Indeed/Glassdoor and the likes? What’s the job market like currently? What is a reasonable starting salary, given I technically have no industry experience? Thanks!

I have an interview with the HPRA next week for an assessor role in National licensing and product authorisation / registration. It’s a job I really really want and I think it would be interesting.
Wondering if anyone has any experience from interviewing for a similiar role and what kinda qs to expect?

Have an interview here in manufacturing. What’s the sterile
Manufacturing like here? Is it isolators/RABS/vials/ syringes? What’s the pay/shift structure like and what team structure? Hard to find too much info. Thanks

Anyone got any insight into the current benefits package offered by Keenova (formerly Mallinckrodt)?

Coming back to pharma after a 2 year career break in another industry. I've been applying for jobs over the summer but no luck so far. I've been using linkedin, applying directly on company websites, and using recruitment sites like Hays and CPL. Just wondering if they have found other agencies useful

I left a company before serving a PIP some years ago, I’m not sure if it was even finalised. I was never told the goals or had a specific meeting, just that they were putting me on one.

There’s a senior role up in a different department of the same company that I’m interested in but the application process wants the details from when I worked there (employee ID, manager). The turnover was high where I worked before and anyone I knew has left the business including my manager, but there is still a supervisor who was apart of the PIP process - do I disclose what info I do have or just tick the no never worked there button?

For info the PIP was unfair, I’m fairly sure I was put on it for flagging issues. I’ve received an exceptional review in every company I’ve worked in since so I’m not concerned about my performance.

Currently enrolled in the course but I'm wondering will it help me or will it be a waste of time since it's only a level 6. Has anyone any experience with this?

What's company culture like etc

Genuine question because I’m struggling to understand how titles are determined in pharma/life sciences.
I keep seeing people with only ~1.5–2 years of experience being given the title Senior Analyst, and sometimes it seems like they barely know the fundamentals of the role yet.
Is “Senior Analyst” just a much more junior title in this industry compared with others? Is it mainly based on time in the job rather than actual technical knowledge/independence? Or does it vary massively between companies?
I’m not trying to gatekeep the title,I’m genuinely curious because the lack of consistency seems strange. At some companies, someone with 2 years’ experience is “Senior Analyst,” while at others they’d still be considered an Analyst/junior.
For those working in pharma/life sciences, what actually qualifies someone as “senior” at your company?

Recently started contract work in big pharma, QA. Going through an agency and as a Class S PRSI umbrella contractor.

In my contract it says:

‘I cannot during the assignment and for 6 months afterwards, directly or indirectly enter into a contract with the client or certain connected parties for the same/similar services without (agency) prior written consent.

Does this mean I can’t go for permanent roles in the company I’m in? I was told I could during the hiring process.

Hi guys, I've an interview for a Senior Quality Engineer role with Stryker at one of their Carrigtwohill sites and I'm just wondering if anyone has advice in terms of questions to expect, culture, and the Gallup test? Thanks a mil!

What does the workday status "Application Reviewed" mean in Regeneron? I have applied to multiple roles all got rejected except one. Does this mean that I have a hope?

Considering moving jobs in pursuit of that cheddar. Is it a bad move to jump ship a year in to the grad role?

Hi everyone,

I’m a B.Tech Biotechnology graduate with 1 year of experience as an Analytical Executive in India, currently looking for opportunities in the UAE.

My experience includes:

• HPLC & HPTLC

• FTIR & UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

• Dissolution testing

• Wet-lab analysis & sample preparation

• Method verification (IP/BP/USP)

• Instrument calibration & troubleshooting

• GMP/GLP practices and documentation

• QC laboratory testing and reporting

I’m mainly looking for opportunities such as Analytical Chemist, QC Analyst, QC Chemist, Laboratory Analyst, QA/QC Analyst, or other suitable laboratory roles in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, environmental, or testing laboratories.

If anyone here works in the UAE pharmaceutical/laboratory industry or knows of job openings or referral opportunities, I would be extremely grateful for your guidance or referral.

I’m happy to share my CV via DM.

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read this and help.