advise

[mk12]

I am asked for a presentation in an interview for QC scientist. I have done few HPLC validation and method development in a pharmaceutical com but 4 year ago and have no data with me. what should i present to show my knowledge about HPLC method development and validation without any data.

Can anybody give me some ideas.

[Consumer Products Guy]

As a long-time employee, I personally don't want to see tons of data. I'd show about what the thought process was, especially if there were innovative or clever steps required. Talk about the challenges faced, what was done to overcome those. For example, in one we found that polyacrylate thickener in the product caused higher-than-desired solution viscosity (we first dried slow plunger draws) and built-up residue in the GC inlet over a sequence, so we came up with some quick, innovative ways to remove that before injection. Another was developing ways to reduce solvent consumption in preparation by a factor of 10 or 20, saving both purchase and disposal costs.

[AdrianF]

Make sure you make frequent references to chromforum!!- with the help of the worldwide chromatography community no problem will be too difficult.

A few hours browsing previous questions on this site should also give you plenty of ammunition for a presentation.

[LC_labrat]

Everyone understands you can not use real data, due to confidentiality. If I was to give a presentation right now, my topic would be on changing existing methods to sub 2 micron columns to decrease run time and increase sample load efficiency. There is so much literature out right now and it's kind of a hot topic. There are a lot of free seminars on the topic, from the column manufacturers. You probably don't have time to attend one but you can probably get your hands on one. Management types like to see how to get more for their money, chemists like to talk about new technology. Or pick a problem or several on the same topic and explain how to solve them.

[Dan]

I agree with LC_labrat in that you can't always give data due to confidentiality anyway. So, you would want to have a presentation without data.

Having a chromatogram or two would be nice but not necessary. Try talking about the procedure/approach that you take to the method development: choice of column, mobile phase, pH etc.

Also, many people only talk about the chromatorgaphy. Don't forget about the sample preparation, it's half the method!

Talk about sample preparation options: grinding versus whole tablet/capsule, extraction time efficiency, possible containers (volumetric versus erlenmeyer flasks), filtering versus centrifuging, etc.

There are many things that can be discussed without the data. Did you have difficulties during validation? If so, how did you solve them? How did you prepare the accuracy sample (spiking or other means)?

These are just a fefw ideas. There are many other things to discuss. But try to keep it to 30-45 minutes.

Regards,
Dan