A matter of life…
designing in patient compliance
GlaxoSmithKline Internship
Value: £7,500
Duration: 16 weeks
Location: Ware, Hertfordshire
GlaxoSmithKline is a research-based pharmaceutical organisation committed to fighting disease by bringing innovative medicines and services to patients throughout the world, and to the healthcare providers who service them. GlaxoSmithKline invests heavily in research and development, spending £1.5 billion in 2002 to meet its commitment to discover and develop new and innovative medicines that prolong and improve the quality of life for mankind. Currently, GlaxoSmithKline's exploratory development portfolio comprises more than 30 compounds. The company is already recognised as the international leader for developing novel treatments for gastrointestinal disease, viral diseases like HIV/AIDS, and respiratory diseases, particularly asthma. Around the world, GlaxoSmithKline scientists are also researching better treatments in the areas of anti-infectives, cardiovascular/critical care, CNS disorders, cancer and metabolic diseases. GSK also manufactures and markets consumer and oral healthcare products. One thing that all these products have in common is that they need to be packaged. Meeting this need is the Device Technology Group based at Ware, Hertfordshire. The Device Technology Group create, develop and industrialise novel Devices and Manufacturing systems for the key therapeutic areas supported by GSK. The group is well established and has been successful in creating many innovative, award winning products which are sold worldwide. As an in-house group, much of the creative work is carried out in a matrix environment with the emphasis being on quality, best value, robust design and economic manufacture.
The GlaxoSmithKline internship will enable the winning student to spend a period of time working in the design studios of GlaxoSmithKline's Device Technology Group. The student will be attached to a device design project and will be encouraged to work as part of a multidisciplinary team comprising industrial designers and mechanical and electronic engineers. There will be scope provided for the student to use the department's comprehensive workshop facilities and ProE CAD system. The scope of the brief allows the student to be innovative and creative within a rapidly evolving industry. It gives the winning candidate the opportunity to see their designs developed during their attachment, with the potential of being manufactured for a multi-million device industry.