Chemistry (Multiple Roles) Industrial Placement, UK 2026

GSK; England; On-site; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in England offers Industrial Placement opportunities for 2026 in Analytical Development and Structural Sciences. Candidates must be currently studying relevant undergraduate degrees and have strong communication and analytical skills. The roles include hands-on experience with drug development processes, data management, and working in a collaborative environment. A competitive salary of £25,400 plus bonuses is offered, alongside valuable learning experiences.

Benefits

Competitive salary with an annual bonus

Employee recognition programs

Wellbeing platform access

Private Healthcare Insurance

Volunteering days opportunities

Qualifications

• Studying an Undergraduate Degree with a minimum of 2 years completed
• Enrolled at a UK or ROI university for the duration of the placement
• Written and spoken fluency in English required

Responsibilities

• Operate automated equipment for drug development
• Develop automated workflows to expedite drug research
• Engage in data collection and analysis for experiments

Skills

Teamworking

Communication

Time management

Problem-solving

Networking

Data analysis and management

Role-specific technical skills

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Natural Sciences, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Pharmaceutical Science

A Level in Mathematics or Physics (for Role 2)

Job description

Overview

Choose Wisely, Apply Confidently. To maximise your opportunities at securing an Industrial Placement with us this year, we advise that you apply to no more than 3 adverts. Multiple roles within a single advert are considered one application. Focus your efforts on roles that best align with your skills, interests and university experience to strengthen your application and increase your chances of success.

Roles Available in Location: Stevenage

Education required: To apply for this placement, you must be currently studying an Undergraduate Degree in one of the following disciplines: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Natural Sciences, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science; and for Role 2 an A Level in either Mathematics or Physics.

Please read the degree requirements for each role carefully before applying.

Other requirements: You will have completed a minimum of 2 years of your undergraduate degree but will not have graduated at the start of your placement. You must be enrolled at a UK or ROI university for the duration of your placement.

If you have already graduated with a Bachelor's Degree and are currently studying a postgraduate Masters, you are not eligible for this programme.

Language requirement: Written and spoken fluency in English

Expected Start date: September 2026

Duration: 1 year (approximately)

Salary: A salary of £25,400 plus a bonus.

Workplace Arrangements: Full time on site required

Application Closing: Early applications are encouraged as candidates will be reviewed regularly, and the advert may close at any point.

A GSK internship offers you the opportunity to gain real work experience with live projects, learn from your team and colleagues, and develop skills for your future career.

What do we offer you?

• A competitive salary, with an annual bonus based on company performance.
• Employee recognition programs, which reward exceptional achievements.
• Wellbeing platform access, confidential helpline 24/7, mindfulness, health screenings and financial wellbeing support.
• Private Healthcare Insurance, including 24-hour online GP.
• Optional Support: identity protection, long-term care insurance, home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Opportunities to work with Employee Resource Groups for networking and development.
• Access to IPUnite, a community for Early Careers participants with development, networking and social connections; includes LinkedIn groups and pre-joining webinars.
• 2 volunteering days per year.

• Typical skills you can expect to learn: Teamworking, communication, time management, problem-solving, networking, data analysis and management, and role-specific technical skills.

The Roles (2 available)

This advert contains multiple roles. Please read each role carefully before proceeding as you will be asked to provide a preference later in the application process.

Role 1 - Analytical Development - High Throughput Automation

Degree requirements: Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Pharmaceutical Science

Overview: Analytical Platforms and Platform Modernisation (APPM) sits in the Analytical Development department of Pharma R&D. The team focuses on automated workflows to optimise resources, accelerate drug development, and generate high-quality, standardised data.

Key Placement Learnings

• Operating automated equipment (e.g., liquid/solid handlers, multifunctional platforms, analytical instruments).
• Developing automated workflows to expedite drug development.
• Planning, designing, and executing experiments with data collection and analysis.
• Training in analytical techniques and data extraction from large datasets.

Role 2 - Structural and Biophysical Sciences

Degree requirements: Natural Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry or Physics, and an A Level or equivalent in Mathematics or Physics.

Overview: Structural & Biophysical Sciences (SBS) focuses on early-stage small molecule and antibody drug discovery using technologies such as X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, and surface plasmon resonance as part of therapeutic program teams. SBS is a team of about 20 people with a range of experience.

Key Placement Learnings

• Biophysical Assay Support (e.g., Surface Plasmon Resonance).
• Structural Biology Support (crystallisation & X-Ray crystallography).
• Mass Spectrometry (Mass Photometry, Native MS).
• Electron Microscopy (sample preparation).

You will become a skilled laboratory scientist, work as part of a close-knit team embedded in broader program support, and also work on your own projects with opportunities to engage in department and site events.

Apply now!

These placement opportunities have the following recruitment stages - you must pass each stage to be offered a placement year for 2026:

1. Eligibility Form
2. GSK Digital Assessment
3. Technical assessment (for some roles)
4. Virtual Assessment Centre or Virtual Interview

You can find hints and tips on our recruitment process and get guidance from real GSK mentors on our Early Careers Hub. We are committed to inclusion and equal opportunity in our recruitment.

For more information about GSK and our careers please visit our website. If you need help with your application, please email [e-mail] or call 01582 692870.

Important notices: We do not accept referrals from employment businesses/agencies without prior written authorization. For UK intern roles, contact details are provided above. For UK Apprentice and Graduate Programme roles, contact [e-mail].

Why GSK? Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and support an agile working culture. We welcome reasonable adjustments to our process.

Additional information and contact notes are provided for legal, inclusion, and process transparency purposes as needed.