Analytical Development Chemist_GSK Flashcards
(15 cards)
Tell me about yourself
I recently graduated from NUS with Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry and am keen to kickstart my career as a analytical development chemist.
During my final year internship, I worked at Stepan Asia, a chemical manufacturing company for 6 months. I worked as an agrochemical lab intern under the R&D department. I researched and analyzed various combinations of active ingredients and adjuvants in a pesticide to create a stable formulation. I’d prepare 2-3 pesticide formulation per day and I managed and closed 5 agrochemical projects within my 6months. During my school days, I took modules on Advanced Experiment in Physical and Analytical Chemistry where I learned how to operate basic equipment like GCMS and HPLC.
In the future, I hope to be able to use the technical and soft skills that I have learnt to help your company achieve its goals and improve your business. ( increase growth, reduce risk, improve long-term financial performance, GRL)
How did u manage and close those 5 projects?
How I managed those 5 projects is through proper time management and collaboration with my senior chemist. I would identify the most urgent and important projects and tackle them first. Then before I start my day, I would plan out what I would do for the day so that I can use my time effectively. Whenever I had problems with the project, I would also consult my senior chemist and she and I will brainstorm a solution together. These 2 things were essential for my success
Why did you apply for this job?
As a recent graduate, I am looking for a chance to analytical skills in the pharmaceutical industry. I applied for this position because after reading the job description, it seems like a great opportunity for me to continue building on the analytical skills like problem identification, root cause analysis and new lab procedures. Also, since I have some experience under the R&D department in my previous employment, I would be able to catch up quickly and start contributing to your team’s efforts immediately.
Why pharmaceutical industry?
I believe that working in the pharmaceutical industry can allow me to change people’s lives for the better. Research, development, making and marketing of medicines, vaccines and other healthcare consumer products can help improve people’s lives. Take COVID-19 for example, the pharmaceutical industry is an integral part in creating the vaccine for the virus which affected almost 20000 people and took the lives of almost 8000 people. Thus, I do believe that the pharmaceutical industry is a rewarding place to work.
What qualifications do you have that will make u successful in this position? What are your strengths?
I have a few strengths. Firstly, I’ve always been a great team player and I work well with people. During my internship, I had the opportunity to be a part of the inauguration of Stepan’s R&D centre in Jurong East. I worked hand in hand with our senior chemists to prepare a demonstration showcasing Stepan products and their application to our clients and customers. We also brainstormed ideas of how the lab should like during their visit and I made sure that everything that we needed for the demonstration was set up properly. The inauguration well off without a hitch thanks to our teamwork and I received good comments for the work that I had and for my people and communication skills.
Secondly, I am independent and can organize my time efficiently. I mentioned that I managed those 5 projects How I did that was through proper time management. I would identify the most urgent and important projects and tackle them first. Then before I start my day, I would plan out what I would do for the day so that I can use my time effectively. I prepare and develop pesticides on a daily basis without supervision and I’m accountable for all the tests and calculation. In the end, I closed all those 5 projects on time and received a good recommendation letter from my supervisor.
When was the last time you achieved something and what did you do to achieve it? / can you work under pressure?
My greatest achievement would have to be during my internship. My supervisor wanted me to check for ph viscosity and density of 27 samples to determine the best sample out of all of them. That amounted to a total of 81 measurements needed to be done in 2 days. At first I panicked because I was still new to I the job and had other tasks to complete as well. Anyways I planned ahead first on how I should accomplish my task and went ahead with conducting the measurements concurrently. So while I was waiting to get the density of 1 sample, I was checking pH of another sample. In the end, I completed all the measurements on time and to top it off, the best sample out of all of them was rebranded and became a commercialized product being sold in the market today.
Presentation skill
During my internship, the company needed to sell a product to its customers. My fellow intern and I was tasked to put together a presentation that highlighted the strengths of the product and we must finish this task in 2 days. She and I divided up the workload and She was in charge of taking the product notes and working them into an attractive sales presentation while I was in charge of using my presentation skills to deliver the pitch. My supervisor and even the marketing manager was so pleased with our work that it was going to be shown to customers.
Describe your internship
Agrochemical intern under the R&D department in Stepan Asia for 6 months.
Pesticide formulation research Sample analysis Parameter testing Proper chemical storage and disposal Lab and equipment maintenance Writing of SOP Housekeeping duties
3 main things I learnt:
Technical skills - operate particle size analyzer, homogenized, viscosity meter, density meter, pH meter
Interpersonal skills - I also learnt how to deal with problems with coworkers. Firstly, I’d prefer not to have a conflict with others but I do understand that disagreements can arise. What I learnt was that it’s important to talk it out and understand each other’s perspective and come to a compromise.
Analytical skills - problem solving skills. When the homogenizer was making strange noises which sounded like a malfunction, it became a problem because I can’t continue my formulation and my safety might be compromised. I replaced my sample with another sample to see if it would make the noise again and it didn’t and so I realized it was just making that noise because of the sample so I was able to resume my formulation.
What have u done for the past 8 months?
I’ve only been actively seeking employment for about 6 months. And in those 6 months I’ve been actively sending out customized resume and cover letters.
Attend career fairs to expand my network
Excel on excel so I watch online videos for more functions
Current news and events
Volunteer at church as a primary school tutor and I teach English
Travelled to Australia and Philippines but this was way before the virus don’t worry
RAECVT
What do you know about the company?
Glaxo wellcome manufacturing private limited is under GSK’s manufacturing and supply network and mainly manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients. Currently, you have three production buildings generating 16 APIs altogether for a range of medicines targeted for
Gastro-intestinal Respiratory HIV Antiviral Neurological conditions
GRHAN
This plant opened in 1982 and has 420 employees. This site has also won 2 awards in 2014 one being in the manufacturing category and the other one you’re an overall winner among the contestants in 17th Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards. Congratulations btw
Onto GSK, GSK is a science led global healthcare company which researches and develops a wide range of healthcare products branching in 3 areas: pharmaceutical, vaccine and consumer healthcare products. For example, xanax, sensodybe and Scott’s nutrition. You have quite a number of competitors: Pfizer, Merck and Roche
An interesting news that I read is that your company is involved in helping to fine a vaccine for COVID 19 by providing access to your pandemic adjuvant technology.
Why should we hire you?
I believe that you should hire me because the qualification of this job matches my strengths perfectly. I am a team player, detail-oriented and good at managing my time. I am also capable of drafting, compiling, reviewing and updating appropriate lab documents because I have written some of the SOP of lab equipments and I was also in charge of checking if our MSDS are up to date. Even though a lot of people may have these traits, I believe that you should hire me instead of them because I am a quick learner, a hardworking individual and initiative. My education background and my strengths show that I can do this job. Also I don’t want to just blend in, I want to be an addition to improve your company.
What is your greatest weakness?
I am actually too detail-oriented.
During my school days of writing lab reports, I never want to leav anything out and I want everything to be perfect but this slowed down my work. I believe the solution is put an emphasis on priority and planning. Even though I’m still struggling with this, I know that I’m improving. For example,
What do you understand with GMP?
GMP stands for Good manufacturing practices. It basically requires manufacturers, packagers of drugs and medical devices to take proactive steps to the safety, purity and effectiveness of their products. GMP regulations require manufacturing companies to minimize or eliminate contamination, mixups and errors. This is done so that the products that the buyers are buying are not defective and dangerous. GMP regulations are usually flexible and it’s up to the company on how they will implement the necessary controls.
When did you go above and beyond the duty of work/ initiated something
I remember the time I was an intern at Stepan Asia.
S: We had just moved out from our old lab in Jurong island and into the new lab in Jurong East.
T: I remember I was tasked to create inventory lists for all the chemicals that we had.
A: My boss just wanted a simple one but I took it further and added other functions that would make it easier for them to use it. For example, I added an indicator if the supply of the chemical is running low and I also placed these inventory lists inside the lab so that they have easy access to them and whenever anybody uses the chemical, they can also indicate how much is still left.
R: my system made keeping track of chemical supply easier and my supervisor was able to buy the chemical in advance instead of waiting for it to run out.
Give me an example of a time you faced conflict
S - During my internship, the senior chemist in charge of a project asked me to prepare a formulation. She actually has a certain way of preparing her formulation which is not exactly safe because it can lead to spillage.
T - I actually voiced out my concerns with her and told her if I can do it another way so as to completely remove the hazard but that lead to a conflict.
A - So I actually sat down with her and have a proper conversation about my point of view and I listened to her point of view.
R - we came to an understanding of a better way to eliminate the hazard and have been doing that way ever since.
