Microbiology (Multiple Roles & Locations) Industrial Placement, UK 2025

The Barnard Castle site is located in the Northeast of England and is sited within the County Durham countryside. Barnard Castle is a key secondary site for GSK with a large number of New Products coming through development at site. We manufacture and supply a huge range of different pharmaceutical products from Sterile Products (Syringes and Vials) to Liquid Inhalations and Dermatologicals. We have recently opened a new state of the art aseptic digital facility producing biopharmaceuticals.

An opportunity exists to work alongside the microbiological quality control laboratory and microbiological technical functions that support the manufacture and filling of a range of pharmaceutical products. The successful candidate will integrate into the microbiology team and be expected to deliver a business or compliance improvement project. In addition to this, opportunities will arise to support day to day operations, working in a safe and compliant manner. Exposure to this high volume and fast paced environment will build a great understanding of pharmaceutical microbiology and compliance activities.

Key Placement Activities
Using and interpreting data from one or more of the following microbiological techniques / tests: high-throughput robotic screening, molecular biology, aseptic techniques, identification of microbial isolates, environmental monitoring, endotoxin testing, water monitoring, bioburden monitoring, organism identification, sterility testing

• Key laboratory techniques such as preparing samples and standard solutions including the calibration and maintenance of equipment


• Leading laboratory investigations


• Technical report writing skills


• Adopting good laboratory practice


• Completing a continuous improvement project in the laboratory


Role 2 - Ware

Overview of the Department

Ware is the largest GSK site in the UK with a thriving early talent community, lots of social activities, and a warm and welcoming support network. The site manufactures and supplies oral solid dose tablets (for HIV and oncology) and respiratory devices (for asthma and COPD) to over 140 countries across the world, as well as to patients participating in clinical trials, making a real difference to people's lives. With a focus on new product introduction, it is a key site within the GSK network and an exciting place to work.

This opportunity would enable the successful candidate to closely work across multiple streams and interact with exciting new products as well as supply of staple established pharmaceutical products which are key to patients. The successful candidate would be expected to play a key part in the day-to-day operations of the site, both within the laboratory as well as in production areas, and in improvement projects while learning about non-sterile manufacture and GMP regulations in a fast-paced environment.

Key Placement Activities

• Working alongside the 3 microbiology teams within the Quality Control Department


• Supporting project deployment with the microbiology specialist


• Change control


• Providing reports


Role 3 - Worthing

Overview of the Department

Small Molecule Process Science are responsible for developing, improving, and industrialising biotechnology processes with focus on profitability and sustainability. We have expertise in molecular and microbiology, fermentation and cell culture, extraction and purification of drug substance, intermediates and enzymes used in synthesis. We are a laboratory-based group with experience in scale-up from discovery/concept to large scale fermentation. We have projects related to small molecule, large molecule and vaccine assets.

Key Placement Activities

• Strain and cell line development activities including microbial high throughput mutant screening, genetic engineering, or fermentation development.


• Key laboratory techniques such as preparing samples and standard solutions including the calibration and maintenance of equipment.


• Data generation and interpretation.


• Develop understanding of the process involve in the strain improvement program.


• Drive progress on a project by planning, executing and analysing experiments in the laboratory.


• Use technical skills to proactively identify solutions to achieve project objectives.


These placement opportunities have the following recruitment stages you must successfully pass to

be offered a placement year with GSK for 2024:

1. Eligibility Form

2. World of GSK Online Assessment

3. Written Assessment

4. Virtual Assessment Centre or Virtual Interview

You'll find hints, tips and guidance on our recruitment process on our website here.

Currently studying an Undergraduate Degree in Microbiology or combined Microbiology. Biomedical Sciences also accepted if degree includes an intensive Microbiology module.

Other requirements: You will have completed a minimum of 2 years of your undergraduate degree but will not have graduated at the start of your placement. You must be enrolled at a UK (United Kingdom) or ROI (Republic of Ireland) University for the duration of your placement.

If you have already graduated with a Bachelor's Degree and are currently studying a postgraduate Masters, you are not eligible for this programme.

Language requirement: Written and spoken fluency in English, Are you looking to gain valuable real world work experience and help positively impact the lives of others?

A GSK internship offers you the opportunity to kickstart your career - to take on a real role with genuine impact. You'll take on challenging tasks within live projects or assignments. You'll also get to learn from others in your team and other parts of GSK whilst developing your skills and gaining valuable experience for wherever the future takes you.

Typical skills you can expect to learn on this placement will include:

• Teamworking through working with multidisciplinary teams


• Communication (written & verbal)


• Time management


• Problem-solving


• Networking


• Data analysis and management


• Technical skills (detailed within each role description)


Once you accept your offer you will be invited to join LinkedIn groups and pre-joining webinars, to enable you to connect and network with new students. You will join IPUnite, GSK's community of over 250 students across all UK sites and business areas, run by the Industrial Placement students committee and will receive access to GSK resources, including employee assistance programmes, private healthcare, and well-being programs.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose - to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together - so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns - as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it's also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves - feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are open to all talent. In the US, we also adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to neurodiversity, race/ethnicity, colour, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class
• (US only).


We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.