Nayla Jawaid

"I'm a scientist based in Glasgow, Scotland who specializes in clinical trial work (part of the drug / medicine development process). I'm very people focused and I joined this field because I wanted my career to have real world impact and ultimately help people. I'm also naturally an intuitive thinker so I like to connect the dots, problem solve and think ahead and the roles I've held in this field have allowed me to use these skills in a very effective way."

"My current role involves supporting the wider clinical research group, to ensure our company is working to the highest levels of quality and efficiency, while also ensuring all my colleagues feel supported. I love that my job is very social and I'm able to work with, and help, many people. I also really like the problem solving side of it, as often I'll be asked to support or consult on various projects, processes, systems, client concerns and audits. Being on the cutting edge of new processes, systems and changes is very exciting and positions me well to help others. "

"During my degree I had the option to do a work placement year (which would upgrade my degree from a Bachelors to a Masters). I did my work placement at PPD as an associate safety specialist in the Pharmacovigilance (PVG) department. I really enjoyed this as I got to work on clinical trials for medications that would be potentially life changing for patients and I was able to see for the first time just how many people work on a single clinical trial and how much work goes into ensuring medicines are safe. I then went back to university for my final year and upon finishing my mentor from my work placement year reached out and asked if I'd be interested in interviewing for a permanent role in the team I did my work placement year. I was successful in my interview and was able to come in at a safety specialist level as I already had experience, working myself up to a principal level.After just over 7 years in PVG, I was applying for an associate director position in the optimization wing of my department when I was asked if I'd be interested in joining a brand new team that had been created to oversee all groups in clinical research, and that they really felt they could use my optimization skills in the most impactful way and increase my influence and ability to help people at a much wider level, while also allowing me to build expertise in areas I had never worked in before. This began my current route which has led me into the role described in the what I do section above. "

"I love travelling (this year I've been to Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, Denmark, Sweden, Dublin, Isle of Harris & Turkey) and exploring local cafes and businesses. I'm also a trained watercolourist and enjoy all things creative. Escape rooms, board games, mystery novels & tv shows are also a firm favourite - my love of problem solving goes further than work :) I also do STEM events as part of the STEM ambassador network, and I'd highly recommend this to anyone"

"A typical day for me involves responding to emails (usually these are requests for support on system's or processes that my team own / oversee), I also usually have multiple calls a day ranging from projects I'm working on, to supporting on complex issues that arise, to audits / inspections with clients / regulatory agencies we work with. Updating documents / slides, providing training and providing oversight on the tasks I lead also makes up my daily tasks"

"I have a masters (M.Sci Hons) degree in Pharmacology, where my masters year was a work placement at PPD prior to my final year (which is where I still work, but we're now part of ThermoFisher Scientific). I would highly recommend a Masters with work placement degree if it's an option as it allows you to get a taste of your preferred field / working life prior to graduating "