Ruby Petrovic - Graduate Case Study

Ruby Petrovic graduated in 2024 with a degree in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science and now works as a Junior Development Scientist for Arxada.

What does your current role involve?

In my role, I support research programmes that result in new formulations, new products, and new applications aligned with the Home Care and (mainly) Personal Care business. Some essential job functions for my role involve:

• Develop and deliver formulations to meet new product development briefs, researching new trends and technologies.
• Deliver specific experimental programs to create new and/or improved products, formulations, processes and testing protocols.
• Participate in the development of technical literature.
• Foster strong relationships and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders required for the successful completion of development projects.
• Provide sound interpretation of scientific results.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations and other management/administrative tasks related to R&D projects.
• Perform all work in a safe manner in accordance with internal quality and COSHH regulations and ensure that EHS initiatives are supported.

My day-to-day varies, which I enjoy a lot because each day is a new, exciting, and fun day, instead of repetitive - which some people do associate with roles in the science industry. For example, yesterday my day started with me finishing off some water-resistance measurements for a leave-on skin care product for a colleague who was off sick. Then I calibrated the rheometer ready to take measurements throughout the day (these measurements typically take 10 minutes to run so it enables me to leave the lab and get on with other work in the meantime). Whilst the measurements were running, I made a start on my PowerPoint slides for a project I’m currently working on which involves developing a sun care spray SPF formulation. The slides essentially told a chronological story of my formulation development work from the beginning to where I’m up to now and the key findings and next steps for my work. I also had two meeting yesterday, an R&D Group Meeting and a Project Team Meeting.

I interact with different teams and functions across Arxada, the main ones being R&D, Regulatory, Marketing, Technical Services and Sales teams. I also often interact with external stakeholder such as distributors and other chemical manufacturers to order samples in for example.

Events I will attend each year at Arxada are SCS Formulate conference, and In-Cosmetics conference.

What did the application/selection process involve, and what tips do you have for current students to help them succeed in applications?

The application process involved an online application through a platform called Workday where you answer typical questions and upload your CV, followed by an ‘interview’ with the R&D Manager based in the Manchester site where I was applying to work. I have put interview in inverted commas, as it was more of a casual chat due to the fact I had completed a year in industry at Arxada as part of my sandwich placement. This job offer made my final year a lot less stressful, and it enabled me to work as hard on my studies as possible.

I had however already gone through many graduate scheme applications prior to receiving my offer from Arxada, which I found difficult as after completing an online assessment, they each used an online pre-recorded video interview format where you only have a short amount of time to prepare and then record your answer. Some allowed one repeat if you thought it didn’t go so well, others just took your first attempt! I think doing as much research around the company you’re applying for and the role itself, as well as preparing answers to potential questions will help massively.

What advice would you give current students to make the most of their time at university?

The biggest piece of advice I could give to students is, if you have the option, take a placement year. It’s why I have my job now – I made an impact during the placement year, which made them want to re-hire me. You also get paid a full-time wage, which is a bonus! I personally wanted to do a placement year because I’ve always had a strong work ethic. I had a part-time job throughout university, and whilst on my placement year at Arxada, I volunteered in an unpaid internship programme for medical writing for a start-up company called Klarity, where I produced one article a week to be published in the company’s library on their website. Getting as much experience as you can whilst at university will only make the job search easier later.

Always ask for help if you need it. I used the Placement Support Unit for help when looking for a placement with things like ‘STAR’ responses to potential questions they could ask in interviews, actual video interviews themselves, CV help etc. And then the same during final year when I was looking to apply for graduate schemes and jobs I spoke to Anja Heid, one of the Careers and Employability Advisers at LJMU. Both provided invaluable support.

And lastly, just enjoy your years at uni, they go by so fast! 

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year undergraduate student again?

One thing I wish I’d have known sooner was the application deadlines for both placements and grad schemes. They really do open and close applications within a week sometimes so it’s important to make a note of these and keep up-to-date with them, if you want one.

Support from the Student Futures team 

If you want to talk about potential careers options with your degree, need help finding opportunities or want support with your CV, application forms or preparing for an interview, you can get advice and guidance by booking a 30-minute 1-2-1 careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures Team.  You can also come along to a Careers drop-in or CV Café which take place weekly at the Careers Zones for quick careers queries.

If you are thinking about starting a business, freelancing, pursuing a side-hustle or have an idea that you want to explore further, email the Start-up Hub and a member of the team will be back in touch, or visit the Start-up Hub website.

For help finding part-time, temporary or casual you can fit around your studies, email the Unitemps team or visit their website.