Mark Griffiths

Job title and description:

I am a Medicines Registration Manager. Any medicine that can be bought from a shop or pharmacy, or is prescribed by a doctor needs to be authorised for use by the Government . My job is to work with the Research and Development group to take their data on how the medicine is made and how it works. I then gather safety information about the medicine and work with Governments in Europe to get approval for the product to be sold.

What are your academic qualifications?

I studied a Biotechnology degree at Liverpool University. During my degree I spent one year working for the pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, trying to improve drug production from bacteria and fungi. This then led to a PhD at the University of Cambridge where I worked to develop a biosensor to detect cocaine when people attempt to smuggle it into the country. 

What are your main duties of work?

My job involves working in all areas of the company, from marketing and advertising through to lab work. This ensures that I have all the information I need to register a medicine and to ensure that adverts that appear in the media are legal and present the medicine correctly.

What are your favourite aspects of the job?

I can use my interest in science without being in a lab and know I am working for a good cause to make safe medicines. I also get to travel around Europe to meet with Governments and to our USA headquarters. There are always new products being launched and there are opportunities to work in any county and on any product.

What kind of salary can a graduate expect to earn in this job?

Starting salaries for Graduates are approximately £20,000 per year, and for those with a PhD approximately £30,000 per year. The salary will increase yearly depending on performance, however there are no fixed scales and you determine your pay increments by the results you deliver.

How has your degree helped you?

A degree in any subject demonstrates your ability to any employer, but for me science kept many more doors open. I was able to choose between law, banking, marketing, science in the lab or, as I ended up, using my science in a non-lab context to register medicines.