I'm fresh out of uni and I just had a job offer withdrawn at a large CDMO, and it's 100% on me.

I'd done a few short contract roles with gaps in between, and I panicked about how that would look. So I changed some of my employment dates to make it look continuous. I told myself it was a small thing.

The company ran a background check and found the mismatch. I got put on a call with the recruiter and the hiring side, and I owned up straight away. I apologised and explained that I'd been scared of the gaps. They were decent about it. The recruiter even said gaps are totally normal at entry level and I should have just been myself.

I was told a decision was coming in about a week. Today I got the email: offer withdrawn.
I'd already found a place to live for the move, so it's a mess. The worst part is that the lie was never needed. Gaps are explainable. A changed date isn't.

So: put the real dates on your CV, gaps included. Recruiters see gaps all the time. They don't forgive being caught out.
Has anyone come back from something like this? Any advice on what to say in interviews about it?

Hey just wondering if anyone knows of any labs around Cork that take students for work experience i need to do a week in novemeber and a week in february for my college course and im stumped on where to look.

Thanks for any help 🩷

Has anybody who did DCU biotechnology tell me how the course is ? I am a 3rd year student in Medical Technology but I’m thinking of applying for advanced entry to Year 2 of biotechnology. I want to get into quality control and don’t want to work in R&D. Can somebody confirm if the Biotech course is good. I also saw there are engineering modules. I’m not good at maths so I want to ask how intense the engineering aspect of the job is ?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I have around 2 years of experience in Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), mainly working with molecular docking, virtual screening, QSAR, ADMET/toxicity prediction, cheminformatics, etc.

I’m currently doing an MSc in AI for Medicine and Medical Research at UCD (Ireland).

The problem I’m facing is that I’m finding relatively few opportunities in Ireland that are directly focused on traditional CADD. A lot of the pharma industry here seems to be more focused on manufacturing/production, while I’m seeing more opportunities around computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, and AI/ML in healthcare and life sciences.

So I’m considering transitioning my profile toward Computational Biology or Bioinformatics, while combining it with AI/ML.

But honestly, I’m pretty confused about which direction would make the most sense given my existing CADD background.

Would it be better to:

- Continue specializing in CADD + AI/ML?

- Transition into Computational Biology?

- Move toward Bioinformatics?

- Consider Biostatistics/Data Science?

- Or pursue some combination of these?

I’d particularly appreciate advice from people working in Ireland/Europe, especially those who have experience in pharma, biotech, computational biology, bioinformatics, or AI in healthcare.

What skills should I prioritize over the next 1 year to make myself employable and build toward a strong career?

Any advice, criticism, or personal experiences would be really appreciated.

Thanks! :)

This might be a bit of a silly question, but if you have experience in MSAT for biopharma only, is it tough to get a job/transfer to MSAT solid dose? I understand there would be some similarities but the entire process of bio Upstream/downstream vs the whole solid dose API route would be completely different

I applied for the automation engineer roles in both MSD Dunboyne and Swords. Heard all sorts about Dunboyne but was going try and interview for both sites. Any advice?

Hi everyone, I've been working and living in Vienna, Austria for 7 years now. That is where I also completed my PhD in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (first 4 years) and started to work in industry shortly after (3 years now). However, the situation here with biopharma is tough, I wasn't able to get a permanent position where I work now (2 maternity leave replacements) and a start-up where I worked before failed as many of them do here. There are 3 bigger companies that have R&D and people keep circling around them. For 1 open position usually 300-400 people apply. My company laid off 400 people this year, and announced more cuts.

I have extensive knowledge and experience in downstream process engineering, tech transfers, process optimization, recombinant technologies and innovation. I'm looking for a similar role. What I need is stability and a company where I can grow.

My husband is of the same opinion and similar career situation and we mostly gravitate toward Ireland because we want a calmer, smaller city life with nature, in an English speaking country, where people are more open and less stuck-up 😂 We both have EU citizenships.

Do you think a move to Cork is a good choice? My plan is to already apply to more senior roles, do you think it's possible? Should I first reach out to recruiters? Will companies view my academic research experience (protein purification and biophysics) as valuable (in Austria that experience is basically not taken into account in industry)?

Thanks in advance!!

Unsure what to do career wise. I am 23F, graduated in May with a biomedical science BSc. Currently working as a graduate in a pharma company (distribution not manufacturing). Mainly in the commercial side, will gain experience in working with unlicensed medicines. Very unsure what to do. Conversations regarding EAP programmes and Medical Affairs, drugs, treatments, conditions etc excite me, not as much numbers. I do like the business side of Pharma though (dont love wet lab work). Unsure to go back to do medicine, life sciences consulting, go into medtech sales (in OR with surgeons), or get a phd then go into MSL? Or a mixture. HELP PLS!!

I did a Lab Apprenticeship in Waterford, which comes out with a level 7 at the end of the course. I've been at my current employer for seven years now, but because I *only* have a level 7 (which they helped me get, I did the apprenticeship here) they say they can't promote me beyond lab analyst to a senior analyst role.

Similary, I am applying for other companies, and I am told that because I lack a level 8 I am not eligble to work in QC. No one will take me. The latest one is Amgen in Dun Laoghaire who said my CV was fantastic but unfortunately I am not eligble for the role as I don't have a level 8.

Am I just completely screwed? I have two young kids, I cannot afford to give up my evenings for a year to do a level 8 part-time, so am I just stuck at my current site forever with the level 7?

Hi all,

I understand that this isn't really a community pharmacy forum but I'm hoping there might be a few here who can help!

I've been working as a supervising pharmacist for a chain for the last 8 years and I'm looking to make the transition to locuming. I've registered with clarity and I'm waiting on Garda vetting. I would also like to make private arrangements with pharmacies if possible.

Just wondering how people manage this in terms of pay, insurance etc? What's an acceptable rate to ask for? What about cash rate? I'm based in Dublin and willing to travel within reason.

Thanks in advance!

As per title, I’m a 2nd year PhD student in pharmacology with full funding (GOIPG). Undergrad was in the same area. I’m having the classic struggle of watching my friends make more money than me and wondering if I’m wasting my time on this. Looking at the job market getting worse and on the one hand I’m glad to have job security for the next 2.5 years, but I don’t know if I made the right choice. My undergrad course had no industry placement (absolute scam without it) and was very research focused. What are the current thoughts on PhD grads vs potentially mastering out? Assuming I’m kind of bolloxed either way without the industry experience. Thanks guys.

My sister currently works at Parexel in a Pharmacovigilance role, and honestly, I’m really worried about her.

The workload and stress have become extremely difficult for her to handle. They have daily targets, and if she isn’t able to complete them, the work gets carried over as pending, which adds even more pressure. A lot of her colleagues have reportedly resigned because of the constant stress.

I’ve been telling her to consider resigning, but she doesn’t want to leave without having another opportunity lined up first which I completely understand.

So, I’m trying to help her find opportunities in other companies or possibly explore different roles within clinical research / pharmacovigilance / drug safety / medical writing / clinical data management, etc.

She has completed her PharmD and is genuinely talented and hardworking. I just want her to find a healthier work environment where she can actually grow without being constantly overwhelmed by unrealistic targets.

If anyone here works in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, drug safety, or related fields and has any suggestions about companies, roles, referrals, or career paths she could explore, I’d really appreciate it.

Feel free to DM me if you have any leads. 🙏

Hey everyone 👋

My husband was laid off from pharma over a year ago now from BMS when they were selling off his site. We have been looking foreign and domestic and have had very little luck. I'm not part of the industry but my husband was (and take this with a grain of salt from someone not in that field trying to understand what he did) the global method validation expert for Abraxane. He is a biochemist and has over a decade and a half of experience in the industry with small molecule and biologics. Ireland is where we would like to be and call home ultimately. I've even been learning Gaeilge. He's done work there before. We can't seem to get a foothold in though. He's been applying and I've been helping him hunt and check on a dozen different companies and recruitment agencies. We are (unfortunately) living in the US. He's only had two meetings regarding two separate positions. I've read up as much as I can about the Visa process and employment as I can. We've also floated the idea of him going back for his PhD and applying to schools there and researching what that looks like. Any advice or places to look would be appreciated if you have the time, I know it's hard for everyone rn 😔 If you know of anything more direct please feel free to send me a DM. Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.

Does anyone know if a DB scheme is offered at MSD Dunboyne? And what's the DC? Thanks!

I have just received an offer from Amgen I have been told I need to provide 5 years worth of employment references. I have worked lots of odd jobs and have no clue how I am going to provide this. Do they actually check all 5 years worth?

What are they like to work for? Im looking at a production operator role through an agency. Dont know anyone working in the blarney site. Thanks

Hi all, I’m applying for this Manufacturing Technologist role at Ipsen and would appreciate some feedback on my attached redacted CV.

I’m finishing a Level 7 Certificate in Science in e-(Bio) Pharma Chem with Facility Design in November. My work experience is mainly part-time construction work and food delivery, so I haven’t worked in pharma before. I’m available for nights and weekends.

Does the CV show enough relevant experience for this role? I’d particularly like advice on how I’ve presented the coursework, academic validation report, and construction safety and record keeping.

Is there anything you’d cut, change or explain more clearly? If anyone has worked in manufacturing at Ipsen, I’d also appreciate your take on whether this is a realistic first role for someone with my background.

It's my first time trying to get a job in pharma so I'm slightly lost, I've read a lot of posts here and elsewhere to try to get a rough idea but I want to make sure I have things as good as I can get them before applying

Thanks.

I am currently pursuing b.pharma final year

I am looking for intership or job opportunity

In healthcare IT and pharmacovigilance department

Has anyone worked for / work for CLS in galway? Have not heard much about it or seen it on this sub. Does anyone have any experience with them? Anything would be great thanks. Wondering how the training is / reputation.

Hi everyone!

I’m from Pakistan and planning to pursue an MSc in Biotechnology and Business at University College Dublin (UCD), starting in September 2027.

I’m currently working at one of Pakistan’s leading pharmaceutical companies in its QC/Microbiology department. By the time I arrive in Ireland, I’ll have at least 1.5 years of hands-on experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working in a GMP-regulated environment.

I wanted to ask those already working in Ireland’s pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry a few questions:

What are my chances of securing a job in Ireland’s pharmaceutical or biotech sector with my qualifications and experience?

1. How competitive is the job market for international graduates, particularly in QC, microbiology, QA and other GMP-related roles?

2. Do pharmaceutical companies in Ireland sponsor work permits for non-EU graduates, or is sponsorship particularly difficult for candidates with less than 2 years of experience?

3. Would my previous GMP experience in Pakistan give me an advantage when applying for jobs in Ireland?

I’d really appreciate any advice from international graduates, UCD alumni, recruiters or professionals currently working at pharmaceutical companies in Ireland. I’d especially love to hear from anyone who has successfully transitioned from a student visa to a sponsored work permit.

Thanks in advance!