Pharmacology Undergraduate

649 Zihipp Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional mentorship

Volunteering leave (up to 5 days/year)

Job summary

Pfizer UK is offering a Pharmacology Undergraduate placement for 2027/2028 within the Internal Medicine Innovation Centre. You will assist in vivo research, animal care, and data generation under supervision.

Your role includes welfare-led supervision, protocol adherence, and contributing to team projects, with mentorship and opportunities to develop professional networks. The placement starts 1st September 2027 and runs for 12 months.

Qualifications

• Currently studying for an undergraduate degree (BSc or higher) in Pharmacology, Physiology, Animal Science, or related life science.
• Home Office Personal Licence holder or willing to obtain one.
• Hands-on experience in handling animals and supporting high welfare standards.

Responsibilities

• Support in vivo research activities with animal care and welfare central to your work.
• Follow approved protocols and SOPs, prioritising animal welfare.
• Assist with ELISAs or biological assays to support study outcomes.
• Gain experience running in vitro potency assays for biologics.
• Contribute to team meetings and training to build knowledge and network.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Education

Undergraduate degree in Pharmacology/Physiology/Animal Science

Job description

Pfizer UK Undergraduate Programme 2027/2028 Pharmacology Undergraduate

The Internal Medicine Innovation Centre

Department Overview

The Internal Medicine Innovation Centre (IMIC) is home to innovative early-stage research focused on translating scientific discoveries into potential life-changing medicines. Our collaborative and supportive team generates critical data to help understand target drugability, pharmacology, and efficacy. We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, ethics, and the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). During your placement, you will help bridge the gap between laboratory science and clinical development, learning from experienced scientists while contributing to research that has the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients worldwide.

What can I achieve and what will I be responsible for whilst completing a placement at Pfizer?

As a Pharmacology Undergraduate, you will support hands‑on in vivo research activities, with animal care and welfare central to your work. Working under the guidance of an experienced Research Director and wider scientific team, you will help deliver daily laboratory activities, maintain high standards of husbandry, and generate high-quality data that supports Pfizer’s therapeutic pipeline. During your placement within the IMIC, you will have the opportunity to:

• Develop practical experience in maintaining consistently high standards of care, welfare, and husbandry for rodent models
• Work in accordance with UK animal welfare legislation and scientific procedures, including the Animals Scientific Procedures Act 1986
• Follow approved protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with animal welfare as a central consideration
• Conduct non‑surgical procedures safely and support welfare protocols in line with your training and licence
• Apply and promote the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—to minimise animal use and enhance welfare
• Perform ELISAs or other biological assays, where appropriate, to support interpretation of study outcomes
• Be trained and expected to run in vitro potency assays for biologics
• Gain experience of working as a lab member in a research team, contributing to general operational and routine tasks
• Participate in team meetings, scientific discussions, and technical training to build your knowledge, communication skills and professional network

What other opportunities and benefits do Pfizer offer?

• Professional mentorship: Build your network and learn from scientific experts across Pfizer’s Global Research & Development organisation.
• Volunteering: Use up to 5 days of paid volunteering leave per year to support a cause that matters to you.

When can I start?

Placements will start on 1st September 2027 and will run for 12 months.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Currently studying for an undergraduate degree (BSc or higher) in Pharmacology, Physiology, Animal Science, or a related life science, as part of a Year in Industry, industrial placement, or gap year
• A Home Office Personal Licence (PIL AB) holder, or a willingness to obtain one
• Prior hands‑on experience in handling animals and supporting high standards of animal care and welfare
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a flexible, collaborative, and team‑focused approach
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of laboratory work, including regular lifting and carrying
• AI Literate

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Purpose Breakthroughs that change patients' lives... At Pfizer we are a patient centric company, guided by our four values: courage, joy, equity and excellence. Our breakthrough culture lends itself to our dedication to transforming millions of lives. Digital Transformation Strategy One bold way we are achieving our purpose is through our company wide digital transformation strategy. We are leading the way in adopting new data, modelling and automated solutions to further digitize and accelerate drug discovery and development with the aim of enhancing health outcomes and the patient experience. Flexibility We aim to create a trusting, flexible workplace culture which encourages employees to achieve work life harmony, attracts talent and enables everyone to be their best working self. Let’s start the conversation!

Equal Employment Opportunity We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to building a successful business. As an employer, Pfizer is committed to celebrating this, in all its forms – allowing for us to be as diverse as the patients and communities we serve. Together, we continue to build a culture that encourages, supports and empowers our employees.

DisAbility Confident We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we encourage you to put your best self forward with the knowledge and trust that we will make any reasonable adjustments necessary to support your application and future career. Our mission is unleashing the power of our people, especially those with unique superpowers. Your journey with Pfizer starts here!

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

Support Services Pfizer careers are like no other. In our culture of individual ownership, we believe in our ability to improve future healthcare, and potential to transform millions of lives. We’re looking for new talent to join our global community, to unearth new innovative therapies that make the world a healthier place.

This position will close for applications on 29th November 2026.