Case studies : Safety pharmacology research scientist: Karen

With degrees in biochemistry and toxicology, Karen now works for Pfizer UK in the area of safety pharmacology.

Karen graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham in 2005. She then went on to attain an MSc in Toxicology in 2006 from the same university.

'During my degree and masters courses, I gained industrial experience within the pharmaceutical industry and some in vivo experience. I chose research as a career because I find it exciting and interesting, and research is available in many different fields.

I was working on a placement for another pharmaceutical company when my supervisor pointed out the roles being advertised within Safety Pharmacology at Pfizer. I looked at the Pfizer website, and applied online for my current role, which looked really appealing. I was invited to the site for a day of interviews, where I had the opportunity to meet lots of people I would be working with and for, as well as people from HR and some new recruits.

Pfizer takes on graduates from a variety of degree disciplines, but my MSc in Toxicology was very relevant for the role I was applying for. When I joined the company, I had a comprehensive induction programme, and my on-the-job and off-the-job training is ongoing.

A typical day for me would involve organising the paperwork for planning a study, preparing the study with technicians, and then analysing the results after the study has been performed. I would also liaise with statisticians and the quality assurance team to make sure that both the study and the analysis had been done properly.

I really enjoy being in the lab and doing experiments – that’s the best part of the job. I’m not so keen on doing all the paperwork, but I fully understand the importance of it, and why it has to be accurate and complete.

Since starting work, I have undertaken technical training in Functional Observation Battery (FOB), Plethysmography and modules 1-4 of the Home Office Licence. I have been involved in safety pharmacology GLP packages and some exploratory work.

My career aims for the future are to work up the career ladder, be competent with as many laboratory techniques as possible and become multiskilled in several areas of work in order to be involved in more studies.

Graduates who are keen to enter this career area should be eager to learn new skills and techniques, should be good with laboratory work and be willing and able to contribute with ideas on how to improve things. Gaining some relevant work experience is a really good idea, too.'