Placement
TL;DR
Key Takeaways
- Undertake a 12-month placement as a Chemistry Undergraduate in Peptide Drug Development at Pfizer.
- Gain hands-on experience in formulation development, analytical techniques (HPLC/UPLC), and drug characterisation.
- Must be studying for a relevant undergraduate degree as part of a Year in Industry or Gap Year.
- Applications close on 29th November 2026.
About the Role
Pfizer UK Undergraduate Programme 2027/2028
Peptide Drug Development Undergraduate
Pfizer Global R&D Pharmaceutical Sciences
Peptide Drug Product Development
What you will achieve and be responsible for:
As a chemistry undergraduate, you will join a team of formulation scientists and analytical chemists to support research activities and daily laboratory work, generating high-quality data for Pfizer’s therapeutic pipeline.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Contributing to the formulation development of synthetic peptide drug candidates.
- Preparing and evaluating formulations, assessing the impact of pH, buffers, and excipients on solubility and stability.
- Gaining an understanding of good documentation practices and quality standards for laboratory work.
- Using analytical techniques such as HPLC/UPLC and biophysical methods to characterise peptides.
- Setting up, monitoring, and analysing solubility and stability studies on peptide candidates.
- Learning about common peptide degradation pathways and how they are controlled.
- Increasing knowledge of peptide chemistry, pharmaceutics, and the drug development process.
- Potentially using automated and high-throughput equipment for formulation screening and sample analysis.
- Being trained to run in vitro potency assays for biologics.
- Familiarising yourself with scientific literature and internal databases for experiment design and data interpretation.
- Gaining experience in general operational and routine laboratory tasks.
- Participating in team meetings, scientific discussions, and technical training.
Opportunities and Benefits:
- Professional mentorship: Learn from scientific experts across Pfizer’s Global Research & Development organisation.
- Volunteering: Up to 5 days of paid volunteering leave per year.
Start Date:
Placements will start on 1st September 2027 and will run for 12 months.
Person Specification:
- Currently studying for an undergraduate degree (BSc. or higher) in chemistry, biochemistry, or another related discipline as part of a Year in Industry, industrial placement, or gap year.
- Prior hands-on experience working in a laboratory.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Flexible, collaborative, and team-focused approach.
- Ability to meet the physical requirements of laboratory work.
- AI Literate.
Application Process:
- Applicants must be completing a placement as part of a degree course at a UK University.
- This position will close for applications on 29th November 2026.
- Only Pfizer Placement Application Forms will be considered. CVs or cover letters will not be accepted.
- Download the Application Form here: Undergraduate Vacancies | Pfizer UK