Downstream Industrial Placement Student in Bio Process Science (Chemical Engineering) Review

I work within a small team of Scientists and Engineers across the upstream, downstream and analytical team on projects such as protein and product purification, enzymation process development and process scale-up/down. Typical work activities in my team include the development of downstream processes involving enzymes, small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines through lab-scale unit operations such as cell disruption, clarification, concentration, immobilisation, filtration, and chromatography. My main project focuses on the development of a plant cell culture extraction process to produce a material used in vaccines. Therefore, on a day-to-day basis I plan and run experiments in the lab and I analyse my data to optimise and design the process.

I was given total responsibility during my placement and treated as a real employee instead of just an intern. I was placed on a very important and high priority project for the department (rather than having a project 'created' just for me to do while on placement), therefore the work I did was really valuable to the company and I had a lot of influence on the project. Very quickly in to my placement I was trusted to work autonomously in the lab and run my experiments (my team were always there to help if I needed it however), and as I became knowledgeable about the project I was able to take more ownership and guide the project direction by planning my own experiments and making decisions about what to study.
I was also given responsibility for several important safety pieces of work during the year, including an asphyxiant risk assessment for the department and the preparation of several technical documents we required to work safely and within compliance.

General lab skills (pipetting, weighing/measuring, measuring pH, handling chemicals, preparing samples, dilutions, lab safety etc.)
Practical experience of lab-scale chemical engineering operations (ultrafiltration, diafiltration, adsorption, chromatography, clarification, homogenisation) and specific common bioprocess techniques (SDS-page gels, protein purification).
Improved competency with creating mass balances and calculating yields.
Improved ability to problem-solve and think critically about data to draw conclusions.
Improved time-management skills and ability to prioritise tasks, delegate, and plan ahead.
Improved communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and presenting skills.
Improved networking skills.
Improved ability to prepare communications, documents, and reports on technical matters.

I had really good support and guidance during my placement. My line manager was very approachable and friendly, and they were great at listening to me, providing help where I needed it, and making sure I had the right level of work. This included making sure I was getting everything I wanted out of the placement. Equally, my team and everyone in my department were really friendly and welcoming too, which made it a great place to work. I signed up to two mentoring schemes while on placement and was mentored by a graduate and a senior colleague on site. This was really helpful for my development; I was able to learn a lot more about the business, was put in contact with key people, and I was a given a lot of useful advice. Everyone I reached out to across the business for networking chats were also always more than happy to speak to me about their roles & experience.

I really enjoyed the company culture because it's very supportive of you and your development. Everyone I spoke to across the business was friendly and happy to help/speak to you, and my team and department especially were very easy to get on with. We had a few social events throughout the year including a christmas party and pub trips etc. (pre-covid this was more common, but we have still been transitioning back in to this). On site, there is a great early talent community and all the placement students, grads and apprentice students often get together for social, sport, charity and development events both in and out of work (although this was largely driven by our placement student committee, so you need people to put in the effort too). There are also Employee Resources Groups across site/the business including groups for people with disabilities, people from ethnic minorities, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. These have been really great to get involved with. I have also been able to get involved in volunteering and outreach, such as mentoring school students and volunteering at a careers fair.

I really enjoyed my placement and I feel I have made the most of the year so I couldn't ask for much more. I would definitely love to go back, but preferably on the grad scheme so I can try different roles and experience other parts of the business too.
The work I was doing was very well suited for me because I am really interested in bioprocessing and I enjoyed lab work. However, for people who don't have an interest in this or don't want to be lab-based I wouldn't recommend it because the role is quite niche. It also involves a lot of practical, hands-on work mixed with desk-based work. I personally enjoyed this variety, but some people may not like this because it can be quite taxing.
I didn't really know what to expect going in so it's hard to say if it met my expectations, but I think I've enjoyed placement a lot more than I thought I would. I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming everyone was from day one and I didn't feel treated very differently as a placement student compared to my colleagues. It was sometimes frustrating being contracted rather than a full company employee as you don't get all the same benefits, but this is changing for future placement students so should improve.

Yes