Increasing the appeal of science
pharmafile | August 10, 2005 | Feature | Research and Development |Â Â Â
UK science students rate pharmaceutical companies as ideal employers, according to a new survey.
GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Pfizer are all rated in the top 15 of 100 companies science students wish to work for, according to the 2005 Universum Communications survey.
Researchers quizzed 5,800 students at 30 UK universities across three degree strands: science and engineering, business, and humanities, between February and April this year.
GSK, the UK's biggest pharma company, ranks second on science and engineering's student wish list, behind the BBC, with AstraZeneca seventh and Pfizer twelfth.
The majority of these students, nearly 80%, were studying either natural sciences, like biology, chemistry, or engineering.
Good news for pharma?
This, on the face of it, makes pleasant reading for these companies and the industry, particularly as it looks for the top science graduates to drive its innovation and discover the medicines of tomorrow.
But whereas GSK has retained its lofty position from comparable data in 2004, AstraZeneca and Pfizer have slipped from third and sixth respectively.
Is this drop just a blip or indication of a more worrying malaise for the industry: that the best science students are being wooed by other industries.
"This is the generation which is after big money and has the opportunity to earn money outside medicines and work in areas like investment banking," said the ABPI's president Vincent Lawton, at a recent press gathering.
Indeed, further Universum data lends weight to this theory, revealing that only two pharma companies, GSK (69th) and Pfizer (86th) featured in the top 100 company's wish list for business students.
GSK (47th), Johnson & Johnson (56th), AstraZeneca (86th) and Pfizer (87th), were the only pharma companies featuring in an equivalent list for humanities students.
In the case of science students, the high achievers undoubtedly now have a much wider choice of careers than before, with their specialist skills not only transferable to biotech industries but also new markets, like investment banking and consultancy.
What seems certain is that an already competitive market place for science students will become even more internecine, if the trend of declining numbers of students reading for a degree in one of the traditional sciences continues.
The heart of the problem – science education
The ABPI, for one, has called for a rethink in terms of funding for science students at universities, in the hope of arresting the decline in reading science at university.
The government's vision of a science-led economy, it warns, will be at risk unless there is a strong supply of science graduates.
It has also criticised the closing of university chemistry departments and the high number of school chemistry classes taught by teachers without a chemistry degree.
"In chemistry we're seeing a situation where over 70% of GCSE chemistry classes are taken by teachers without a chemistry degree, which is a bit worrying. Somehow we have to attract students to do chemistry degrees and then some of these graduates need to teach," says Dr Philip Wright, director of science at the ABPI.
The ABPI has called for additional funding for universities or bursaries, waiving tuition fees for students studying essential science subjects, in the hope of attracting students into the industry.
It is establishing a science education task force, drawn up from the ABPI's R&D and Medical and Manufacturing Committees, which will identify how industry can help out in this area.
Pharmafocus spoke to AstraZeneca, Pfizer and GSK, and asked them why graduates, both science and in other subjects, were attracted to their companies and if they were concerned that students were eschewing the industry for alternative career paths.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca takes on around 100 graduates a year, ranging from biology-related degrees to chemists, biochemists, pharmacists and mechanical engineers. For roles in finance, marketing and purchasing, the company welcomes graduates from all disciplines.
Jez Chance, recruitment and communications manager AstraZeneca UK, says it is rewarding to see his company ranked in the top 10, as he admits it does not have the brand awareness of the BBC or pharma rival GSK.
"In the eyes of students AstraZeneca is not a high street brand," says Chance.
Despite this, he thinks for AstraZeneca and pharma alike, image is crucial to enticing students to work in the industry.
"I think image is a big issue. We have a positive message as our business makes an overall contribution to the economy and makes a difference to people's lives."
He admits the industry is challenged by the falling number of students looking to study science degrees, saying science is "simply not sexy enough" in the eyes of students. But he is not concerned about AstraZeneca's dip from the 2004 figures which he says reflects nothing more than a tatistical difference He says AstraZeneca offers graduates a tailored approach to training and development, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach, which allows them to experience different aspects of the industry.
"If you are coming from a scientific background, there is every chance that you could progress and become a medical representative," he says. Its global set-up, he claims, also represents a significant carrot for students, particularly as it satisfies their aspiration for global travel and experiencing different cultures.
"This is a massive pull factor for us," he declares. "We work across regions and countries which offers challenges to our graduates."
Pfizer
Pfizer, in theory, should have no trouble in attracting high-level graduates, with its standing as the world's biggest pharma company and leading supplier of medicines to the NHS. Its R&D site at Sandwich offers graduates the opportunity to work with scientists developing some of the most innovative medicines, in areas like synthetic organic chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation and biology.
"Pfizer puts a high premium on its graduate intake and their retention," a company spokesman says. "There are opportunities for progression – for example last year 25% of our marketing team leaders were promoted to roles in our head office or in the US.
"Pfizer has well-established links with various universities throughout the country, giving the company direct contact with students. Not only does this create an element of personal touch but it allows us to gain a greater understanding of student needs and where the key talent is," the spokesman says.
He adds that the strong relationship between universities and research divisions ensures that talented scientists are attracted to Pfizer in R&D roles, though he recognises that some people might have a negative perception of the industry.
GSK
GlaxoSmithKline takes on between 50 and 100 graduates a year as well as offering more than 250 industrial placements to undergraduates.
Nigel Broom, director for R&D recruitment UK, says GSK's appeal to students stems from its position as a leading pharma company, the breadth of its research facilities, and its industrial placements.
"We offer 260 industry placements within GSK every year, more than all our UK competitors combined, and we've had external recognition for the quality of our scheme," he says. He believes students are enticed by GSK's broad quality of working environment, which, he says, offers greater variety than academia.
Working with scientists keen to educate new recruits ensures the competition for jobs with GSK is always tough. Broom says its position as a UK company and not a US affiliate, like Merck Sharpe and Dohme, adds to the company's attraction, as does its close relations with academic institutions.
GSK offers postgraduate awards schemes, studentships and a Link scheme, which encourages universities and the industry to work together on specific scientific areas.
"We work with university departments and invest millions of pounds, looking to keep building on networks, and keep contributing to the UK's science base."
GSK does not run a graduate R&D scheme but takes on graduates in specific roles, with Broom saying GSK looks "for top graduates wherever we can".
Broom is concerned by the decline in science students, especially those studying pharmacology, chemistry, and statistics, and is casting the net further afield, across Europe.
Career opportunities in the leading pharma companies
AstraZeneca takes on around 100 graduates a year, ranging from biology-related degrees to chemists, biochemists, pharmacists and mechanical engineers.
For other roles in finance, marketing and purchasing, the company welcomes graduates from all disciplines.
Pfizer offers 12-month industrial training placements to undergraduates in both laboratory and non-laboratory based positions. It recruits new graduates in the following areas: synthetic organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical formulation and biology (pharmacology, bio-chemistry and related disciplines).
GlaxoSmithKline takes on between 50 and 100 graduates a year as well as offering undergraudates the chance of one of its 260 industrial placements.
