Stella James

Job title and description:

Business Development, European Operations Manager for Charnwood Molecular Ltd. This is a contract research organisation specialising in organic chemistry services. We supply a service to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

What are your academic qualifications?

• BSc Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry from Huddersfield University.
• MSc Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Metabolism from Loughborough University.
• PhD Organic Chemistry from Loughborough University.

What are your main duties of work?

I am responsible for attracting and generating new business within Western European markets and maintaining current business already secured. I also head up marketing, and am responsible for our marketing strategy.

What are your favourite aspects of the job?

Through sales, I get to travel, meet new people and attend conferences and exhibitions. Through marketing, I am involved in design work and researching marketing tools.

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

From £20,000 to £25,000 per year depending on where in the country you are based (you can add on an extra £10,000 for London).

How has your degree helped you?

My degree is crucial to my position in Business Development. I cannot market or sell our chemistry services without the chemistry background. Having a genuine interest in all aspects of science contributes greatly to my profession. However, my role also requires creativity and interpersonal skills that come with experience. I am due to go on a Sales and Marketing course to develop new skills. I hope to bring scientific knowledge to a role that a sales professional may not have.