R&D Process Engineer Review
at Unilever
Placement (10 Months+)
Chemical Engineering, Research
Wirral
Review Submitted: June 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
4.3/5
-
Skills Development
4.5/5
-
Support and Guidance
4.8/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
3/5
-
Future Career Prospects
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis.
I work on my own assigned project as part of my university dissertation, as well as assist on current project needs within Oral Care's Science & Technology department. This includes processing, characterising and analysing large batches of toothpaste, altering formulations as and when needed. I work on optimising downstream manufacturing using new technologies and Python to accelerate business understanding as part of the R&D innovation funnel.
Were you given much responsibility during your placement / internship?
Yes. I was allocated my own personal project within my department and was able to take the lead completely with its progress, planning, presenting, and future work recommendations. The only help I was given throughout was when I was given initial work suggestions by my project manager, as she knew I had not done this kind of technical work before. I held myself accountable in these activities, as well as being left alone to take initiative in supporting tasks and during personal development activities
Please rate how meaningful the work you were doing was
3/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills, or developed your existing skills?
I learnt how to code and model statistical data in Python, having previously no coding knowledge except for MATLAB programming.
I have developed my skills significantly in assembling and presenting PowerPoints which I did not get the opportunity to do very frequently before my placement.
I have had the opportunity to lead and organise Outreach events with schools and universities which improved my initiative and leadership skills.
I have developed my skills significantly in assembling and presenting PowerPoints which I did not get the opportunity to do very frequently before my placement.
I have had the opportunity to lead and organise Outreach events with schools and universities which improved my initiative and leadership skills.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate your development of industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate your development of personal / soft skills during the experience?
4/5
Please rate how these skills have helped you in your career development
5/5
Support and Guidance
How much support and guidance did you receive during your placement / internship?
Plenty without it being overwhelming. I had multiple managers due to uncontrollable circumstances but both were incredibly supportive, understanding my needs for university and work requirements, as well as ensuring I had the right amount of work, meaning I was neither suffocated nor bored at any point. However, I did find that the handover I experienced was poor, and I had to find out a lot of things myself, such as equipment trainings and external information about my project, which - whilst I appreciated the independence I was given - it became time-consuming to not be told these things initially.
How would you rate the support and guidance from your line manager?
5/5
How would you rate the support and guidance from the wider team?
4/5
Company Culture
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Very good. One of the best work environments I have ever been a part of. Everyone was initially very welcoming, despite the fact that teams have seen dozens of placement students come and go every year, which made me feel like I belonged, rather than feeling like an 'inexperienced student', if you will. Unilever are very good at making you feel comfortable, priding themselves in wellbeing: you will never feel too stressed at work, nor will you ever feel like the odd one out. Plenty of ED&I initiatives and events for all which is really good as a Muslim.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the social opportunities?
5/5
How would you rate the diversity initiatives?
5/5
How would you rate the charity, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy your placement / internship?
I very much enjoyed my placement and would 10000% recommend going to Unilever R&D to ANYONE studying a chemistry or chemical engineering related degree. The staff are amazing. The work you get is (almost always) very good and a nice challenge. The time you get for personal development (for example, myself with learning Python, Machine Learning and AI) is really good and people really care about you. At Unilever, early careers employees are integral in pushing innovations forward and being successful. Definitely no regrets.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on your placement / internship
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Future Career Prospects
Please rate the future employment prospects at Unilever
3/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Unilever to a friend?
Yes
What advice would you give to others applying to Unilever
Be yourself when applying. The company are not only trying to find the right employee for them, but it is also a test for yourself: if you do not like lab work, do not apply for the R&D role. If you don't like slow-paced, intensive research, then do not apply to work in Science & Technology.
When applying, research Unilever's goals and aspirations, and include them buzzwords in your CV and Cover Letter. That's what will get you through screening.
Unilever like to hire people with confidence, positivity, and inclusivity mindsets, so make sure you show that when you are going through the application process.
When applying, research Unilever's goals and aspirations, and include them buzzwords in your CV and Cover Letter. That's what will get you through screening.
Unilever like to hire people with confidence, positivity, and inclusivity mindsets, so make sure you show that when you are going through the application process.
