Full Job Description
Jazz Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry (D&MC) is looking for a motivated Materials Sciences summer student, within the Pre-Formulation & Biopharmaceutics team. The 6-week placement is designed to introduce a selected student to key Materials Sciences activities and responsibilities as part of the early drug development process.
Qualification Requirements
Completed at least one year of a pharmaceutical sciences-based degree
Salary - £24,000 per annum pro-rata
Benefits
-
Holiday Allowance - 24 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays pro-rata
-
Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
-
Employee Assistance Programme
-
On-site
-
Flexi time
Location - Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, ME9 8AG
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5.30pm with 60 minute lunch break.
Duration - 6 weeks
Start Date - 29th June 2026
Interview Date - March 2026
Closing Date for Applications - 17th February 2026
To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on [email protected] for assistance
Job Description
Materials Sciences is an integral part of the drug development process, connecting chemical synthesis with drug formulation to give a safe, effective drug product. Different crystal structures (polymorphs) of a compound, or salts of that compound have different physical properties which can impact solubility, stability, bioavailability, developability and formulation of the drug. It is therefore essential to select the right solid form. It is also important to understand how the selected solid form is impacted by formulation components and conditions.
Jazz Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry (D&MC) is looking for a motivated Materials Sciences summer student, within the Pre-Formulation & Biopharmaceutics team. The 6-week placement is designed to introduce a selected student to key Materials Sciences activities and responsibilities as part of the early drug development process, including crystallization process development, solid form selection and physical properties characterization. The placement will be suitable for a student who has an interest in pursuing a Pharmaceutical Sciences career and wishes to get an understanding of this area of science. The position will complement and significantly add to their university learning and provide a highly valuable industrial experience. It will also give insight into how the Jazz Pre-Formulation & Biopharmaceutics team contributes to the overall success of the company, whilst putting the patient at the forefront of what we do.
Job Responsibilities
Working very closely with the assigned supervisor on:
-
Learning and understanding the importance and implementation of the laboratory risk assessment process, to underpin safe laboratory working.
-
Completion of safety training before working in the lab, adhering to safety and housekeeping rules.
-
Conducting laboratory operational tasks and experiments as instructed, in a timely manner, promptly reporting any unexpected results or events to the supervisor.
-
Learning how to interpret their own experimental observations/results and manage their daily workload.
-
Using specialist computers, software and equipment, following appropriate training.
-
Learning and developing an understanding of Materials Sciences, physical properties characterization and process development as part of the early development Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) process.
-
Effectively communicating and presenting their own work in team meetings, interacting with other team members.
-
Recording experiments within the company’s electronic lab notebook in a timely manner, ensuring write-ups are complete and reviewed by the end of the placement.
-
Completing any associated university assignments.
Candidate Requirements
Skills required
-
The ability to use skills learned at university in an R&D laboratory environment.
-
Theoretical knowledge in any of the following techniques: HPLC, NMR, thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry or thermogravimetric calorimetry), X-ray powder diffraction, microscopy, thermodynamic solubility assessment, crystallization or formulation development. Hands-on experience in these techniques (either at university or a former placement) will be an advantage.
-
Strong numerical skills, and a good knowledge of Physical Chemistry.
-
English language - excellent written and verbal communication skills.
-
Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to work closely with their supervisor, individually and as part of a team.
-
Good listening skills, with the ability to follow instructions and have the confidence to make suggestions where appropriate.
-
Strong organizational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage tasks within defined timelines.
-
The ability to write experiments clearly and coherently in an electronic notebook.
Personal Qualities
-
Hard-working
-
Ability to solve problems, interact with others and manage a varied workload.
-
Is self-motivated to achieve high quality results within defined timeframes
-
Attention to detail
Things To Be Considered
Please ensure that you are willing and able to live within commutable distance of the company site before applying as you will be onsite 5 days per week.
Cogent Skills Placements Service are managing the recruitment for this placement at our client's request, therefore we ask that applications are made through our website please.
About Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. Jazz Pharmaceuticals are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases—often with limited or no therapeutic options. They have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines and novel product candidates, from early-to late-stage development, in neuroscience and oncology. They actively explore new options for patients including novel compounds, small molecules and biologics, and through cannabinoid science and innovative delivery technologies. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and has employees around the globe, serving patients in nearly 75 countries.
