26 June 2025

YCP Undergraduate IP and apprenticeship symposium 2025

Organised by:

University of York, UK

Prices start from £0

Synopsis

This event is aimed at undergraduate students currently undertaking industrial research placements or an apprenticeship. Those working in organic, biological, supramolecular, physical organic or medicinal chemistry and related fields are encouraged to apply. The event presents an excellent opportunity for chemistry students to present their work to a national audience, and to learn about what their peers in other companies are working on.

This year’s event will be a full day symposium including talks and poster sessions, with a selection of submissions invited to give a 10-minute presentation of their work. There will also be a talk from a keynote speaker working in industry. Prizes will be awarded for the best talks and posters.

If you are a student in undergrad but are not doing an industrial placement and would like an opportunity to present your work, why not join us for the undergraduate research symposium and careers fair.

Attendees

This event is aimed at undergraduate chemistry students, either currently undertaking a placement or an apprenticeship, but will also be of interest to industrial chemists.

Speakers

Mentor - Paul Colbon

Paul obtained his MChem and PhD degrees from the University of Liverpool. Paul’s PhD in synthetic methodology and catalysis was carried out under the supervision of Professor Jianlaing Xiao whom, along with two more group members, cofounded LCC in 2014. Since then, Paul has led the company through international growth and development accelerated by several million pounds of venture capital support. LCC now employs 14 people in the North-West and has supported >150 companies with their small molecule drug discovery and development projects, more specifically within the hit identification and lead optimisation stages of medicinal chemistry. Paul has been a SCI Mentor for the past 3 years and is a passionate supporter of early career development efforts within life sciences.

Speaker - Meg Shaw

Meg Shaw conducted her undergraduate studies at the University of Sheffield, before completing her PhD at the University of Bristol under the supervision of Professor John Bower. In 2015, Meg moved to Princeton University as a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Professor David MacMillan. Meg has been with MSD for 7 years, initially in the Process Chemistry group in Rahway, NJ before moving to the Discovery Process Chemistry group in Boston, MA. In 2023, she moved back to the UK where she currently works as an Associate Principal Scientist in the External Capabilities group at MSD London.

Programme

Thursday 26 June 2025

10.00: Registration and refreshments
10.45: Introduction to SCI

Session 1

11.00: Welcome and introduction
11.15: Talk 1
11.30: Talk 2
11.45: Talk 3
12.00: Talk 4
13.00: Lunch and poster session 1

Session 2

14.00: Talk 5
14.15: Talk 6
14.30: Talk 7
14.45: Talk 8
15.00: Refreshments, networking and poster session II
16.00: Keynote lecture
16.45: Career Panel and interactive Q&A session
17.30: Prizes and closing remarks

SCI’s Young Chemists’ Panel are committed to promoting diversity and equality in the chemical sciences. We aim to identify high quality speakers for all our conferences with inclusivity of gender and ethnicity. Attendees from all backgrounds and ages are welcome.

Sponsorship and exhibitor information

Please see the sponsorship pack and email conferences@soci.org to let us know which package you are interested in.

Call for abstracts

Any student currently on an industrial placement or an apprenticeship registered at a UK University is invited to submit an abstract. Please download an abstract template (150 words max along with a title, scheme or figure) and send with the subject line “YCP Undergraduate IP and apprenticeship symposium 2025 - abstract submission” by Friday 25 April 2025 to conferences@soci.org. Please note: students must have approval from their industrial supervisor before submitting an abstract. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for an oral presentation. Students will be notified whether they have been selected for a talk or poster by Friday 9 May.

Mentoring

There will be an opportunity to have a 1:1 session with one of the SCI mentors during the event. These will be informal conversations (20-30 minutes long) to promote SCI’s Mentoring programme. The mentee will have the chance to ask the mentor questions about career developments.

These sessions are free to attend but have limited availability. If you would like to sign up, please download and add your question(s) to the template, and send it with the subject line “YCP Undergraduate IP and apprenticeship symposium 2025 - mentoring” to conferences@soci.org

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

University of York

Chemistry department
Heslington
York
YO10 5DD

Public Transport- Bus 66 connects the University (alight at Heslington Hall) with the city centre / train station in a ca. 20 min trip. Buses run roughly every 10 mins.

Car - We recommend drivers approach the Chemistry Centre from the junction of the A64 and A1079 on the east of the city, from where the University (Heslington West Campus) is signposted. You will be required to use one of the pay and display car parks around campus.

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

This event is free to attend.

All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.

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Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

CPD Info

All delegates attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.

Exhibitors

Organising committee

Olivia Boyd, MSD
Marianela Gimenez-Asis, Pharmaron
Fabien Talbot, Sai Life Sciences
Luke Thompson, Vernalis
Chris Wray, Vertex