Embarking on a placement year is a crucial juncture for biomedical science students, offering a hands-on segue from academia to real-world applications. From pharmaceutical giants to biotech startups, you can explore diverse roles in drug development, clinical research, and diagnostic testing.
This post delves into the different types of industries where you can consider a placement year:
- Pharmaceutical Companies:
- Examples: Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Novartis
- Roles: Research and development, drug testing, quality control, regulatory affairs.
- Biotechnology Firms:
- Examples: Biogen, Amgen, Genentech
- Roles: Genetic engineering, bioprocessing, development of new therapies.
- Clinical Research Organizations (CROs):
- Examples: QuintilesIMS, ICON, PPD
- Roles: Clinical trial management, data analysis, regulatory compliance.
- Hospitals and Healthcare Institutions:
- Examples: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, NHS hospitals
- Roles: Clinical laboratory work, pathology, medical research.
- Diagnostic Laboratories:
- Examples: LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics
- Roles: Diagnostic testing, medical laboratory technology.
- Government Health Agencies:
- Examples: CDC, FDA, NIH
- Roles: Public health research, policy development, regulatory oversight.
- Academic Research Institutions:
- Examples: Universities, research centers
- Roles: Academic research, laboratory work, collaborative projects.
- Medical Device Companies:
- Examples: Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens Healthineers
- Roles: Design, testing, quality assurance of medical devices.
- Biomedical Startups:
- Examples: Various emerging startups in the biomedical field
- Roles: Diverse opportunities across research, development, and innovation.
- Environmental and Public Health Organizations:
- Examples: World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Roles: Environmental health research, public health initiatives.
- Genomic Research Companies:
- Examples: 23andMe, Illumina
- Roles: Genetic testing, genomic research, data analysis.
- Veterinary Laboratories:
- Examples: Zoetis, IDEXX
- Roles: Veterinary diagnostics, animal health research.
When exploring placement opportunities, you should consider your specific interests within biomedical science and seek placements that align with your career goals. Additionally, networking, informational interviews, and career fairs can be valuable in discovering potential placements.
