The biotech process development associate in Amgen’s grad programme

Amgen’s Conor Hughes explores Ireland’s biotechnology industry and how an early STEM education can be the gateway to a future career.

A process development associate in inspection at Amgen, Conor Hughes’ first foray into the STEM space actually began in childhood. 

He told SiliconRepublic.com: “The biotech industry made sense to me, given how well established it is in Ireland. However, my interest in science started much earlier, when I was a child. My grandparents used to bring me to the Young Scientist Exhibition every year and from the ages of six to 12, I never missed an exhibition at Trinity’s Science Gallery. 

“So from an early age, I had an interest in science and discovery. As I progressed with my undergraduate and master’s studies in chemical engineering at UCD, the industry’s economic significance became more apparent. It was also clear that biotech provided numerous opportunities for growth.”

As part of his master’s programme, Hughes completed a 12-month internship at Amgen and eager to continue in this space, he explained a graduate programme “felt like a natural next step”.  

He said: “I already had a good sense of the culture and could hit the ground running, while still having plenty to learn.”

Can you describe a typical day in your role? 

Usually, my day starts with an assessment of our inspection performance at a cross-functional meeting. We look back at the previous 24 hours, see how the process development unit has performed and then look ahead to the next day. I am part of the commercial support team and a key part of my role is focused on problem-solving to ensure we get the most from our inspection machines. Working with colleagues across different functions to find solutions is also important.

There is a technical side to the job too, our inspection machines can process up to 400 vials and 300 syringes per minute and I develop vision tools that use image processing to identify any potential defects.

My favourite part of the job is the variety. I can spend part of the day in meetings discussing a problem or a new piece of technology, then head onto the manufacturing floor and implement the solution. It is very rewarding to develop an idea all the way from discussion stage through to physically putting it into practice.

Did your responsibilities and workload change as the programme progressed? 

The programme has a natural progression. From the outset, it gave me exposure to different departments. Graduates are expected to attend meetings, ask questions and work with experienced colleagues, so I really value being part of team conversations.

As your experience grows, people start coming to you more often, which is recognition of your development. As my knowledge of processes has increased, I have become an established point of contact for colleagues, including senior staff members.

A recent example was working as inspection lead for the introduction of a new product on-site. As I’ve progressed, I’ve had more interaction not just across functions in Ireland but across the wider Amgen network. For example, I’m working with colleagues at other Amgen sites, including California and Puerto Rico, on developments in visual inspection and deep learning.

What skills have you developed since being part of the company’s programme?

My communication and problem-solving skills have developed significantly. In a fast-moving biotech environment, it’s not enough to have an idea or a solution in your head. You need to be able to explain it clearly so other people can understand it, challenge it and help you to move it forward. Troubleshooting is also a big part of my role and taking part in the programme has improved my ability to break down a problem and to arrive at a workable solution. I’ve also built up my technical skills on the job in inspection, vision engineering and image processing.

In addition to the programme itself, there’s a strong focus on continuous professional development at Amgen. For example, there is a weekly technology-sharing forum where people from different departments teach others about developments in their function. It gives you exposure to technical areas that are beyond your own day-to-day role.

What have been the most challenging parts of working life since taking up this programme?

Managing varied projects is one of the programme’s more challenging aspects. On one hand, it gives participants a real breadth of experience, but at the same time, switching your focus from one project to another can take some adjustment. Shift work and early start times make for a steep learning curve, but they also provide an opportunity to build close bonds with the colleagues who are working shifts and to take on more responsibilities.

Would you recommend the graduate programme at Amgen to others? 

Absolutely. There is a huge variety of roles and the ability to move between departments and broaden your experience provides a major advantage during the early stages of your career. Amgen’s workplace culture means that it’s easy to speak to a colleague to find out what they do and to learn about their department.

Cross-functional learning is a big part of the culture here. Recently, the graduates took part in training at NIBRT, where we gained practical experience about filling lines and carried out activities linked to commercial manufacturing. Although my role is focused on inspection, the course was valuable because it gave me a better understanding of other parts of the process.

Amgen also has great social activities, including sports, fundraising and volunteering. The mix of technical learning, career development and community is a big part of what makes the experience so rewarding.

What advice would you like to give to future graduates who are just starting out?

Just go for it. The more responsibility you are willing to take on, the more experience you will get. Talk to managers and other graduates about what their day-to-day work entails. Follow the ‘ask and you shall receive’ approach, if there’s something you want to learn or get involved in, people will do their best to support you.

I also recommend getting involved in extracurricular activities. Amgen offers everything from tag rugby and five-a-side football to golf and beach clean-ups. It’s another great way to meet people and hear from experienced colleagues. Also, don’t be afraid to create something yourself. The main thing is to stay curious, get involved and enjoy the experience.

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