Graduate Spotlight with Dr Aoife Kearney of Eli Lilly
Aoife Kearney is a Senior Scientist with Eli Lilly since 2023.
Dr Aoife Kearney, PhDÂ
Eli Lilly and Company, Kinsale Ltd., Senior Scientist, SM TSMS (Small Molecule, Technical Services / Manufacturing Science), started in August 2023.
Dr Aoife Kearney studied Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry at the University of Limerick and holds a PHD in Organic Chemistry from UCC. During her studies, she completed her placement in Lilly Kinsale and ‘loved it’. Aoife now works with the company as a Senior Scientist since 2023.
As part of my undergraduate degree at the University of Limerick (Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry), there is an 8-month placement during my third year. I was lucky enough to do my placement in Lilly Kinsale.
From the moment I started, I loved it, and I learned so much. I had the opportunity to work in the Small Molecule Technical Services laboratory on optimisation projects for some of the products that were manufactured on-site. During this time, I never felt like a student; I was always made to feel like I was a valued member of the team, doing valued work, and that always stuck with me.
It was during this placement that I was encouraged by my supervisor and coworkers to pursue a postgraduate degree, so when I graduated from the University of Limerick (UL), I moved to University College Cork (UCC) for my PhD in Organic Chemistry.
I always knew that Lilly was somewhere that I wanted to go back to; it is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies globally, so at the end of my PhD, I applied for a position as a Scientist on the Chemistry Post Graduate Programme, and I was thrilled to earn a place and come back.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry from UL and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from UCC. My previous experience during my undergraduate placement at Lilly made me feel more comfortable coming back, as it meant I was familiar with the site and the company, but it was probably my time in UCC during my PhD that prepared me for the work that I am doing now.
I was working on a lab-based research project, and with every project come ups and downs, so this helped me to develop my lab skills, problem-solving skills and resilience. Time management, working to deadlines and collaborating with others were also some key skills that I developed.
I think that you hit the ground running, and responsibility is a given from day one. I started as a Scientist in the Small Molecule TSMS (Technical Services / Manufacturing Science) labs, and within a few weeks, I was running reactions to support production while also starting projects to bring new products to the site.
The lab team were fantastic, and I was guided through the process by fantastic mentors. It was a great way for me to learn about the business, develop my skills and get stuck into the work straight away.
I think one thing that surprised me once I started working here was just how many opportunities are open to you within the company, both in Ireland and abroad. I knew that Lilly was a global company, but I was surprised by how much we are all very much encouraged to pursue our interests.
If there was something we wanted to try out or learn more about, we are supported to do that. Lilly has sites all over the world, and the potential opportunity to travel and explore my career is very exciting.
I think it’s fair to say that no two days are the same in my role! I am currently working as a Process Scientist supporting the manufacture of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient on-site. Every morning, we meet with Production operations to get an update and make a plan for the day. The rest of the day will involve process monitoring, investigating any issues and planning process improvements.
A lot of my work involves working cross-functionally with Quality Assurance, Engineering, Analytical, Process Safety, and Operations, which I really enjoy because you get to know so many different people and learn from their experiences, which can only help you develop in your role.
Currently, I am supporting the manufacture of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient in production. For my first year, I worked as part of the Small Molecule TSMS lab team on the introduction of a new product to the site, so already, I have been lucky to work in both a lab and production setting at a large multi-national company.
Alongside my main role, I have been a member of multiple safety committees across the lab and production. Safety is the top priority in everything that we do here, and ensuring everyone on site arrives to work and goes home safely in the evening is something that we can never be complacent about.
I am currently in the process of becoming a Chartered Chemist with the Royal Society of Chemistry. It is a two-year programme where you are paired with an on-site mentor and work to compile a portfolio, which is presented at the end of the course.
It has been a great opportunity for me to grow personally and professionally. Internally, we run a mentor/mentee programme to help guide you as you start your role at Kinsale, with different modules tailored to your personal and professional development, e.g. communication, resilience, emotional intelligence, etc.
I recently graduated from the mentee programme and have become a mentor to a new starter in the department.
I think the main thing is to be yourself. The people are at the centre of what makes Lilly great to work for. Be open to trying new things, be confident in your abilities and do your best in everything you do. There is always more that we can learn, so ask the questions and learn from the people around you who might have more experience in a particular area.
Working well in a team and showing a willingness to learn new things are skills that you will always need in your career. Problem-solving and showing adaptability as different situations arise will stand out to you in the role as a Scientist, both in the lab and in production.
As a site, the only way I can describe the culture is welcoming. There is a great community spirit at Lilly Kinsale, where we are all working as one team to make medicine and tackle challenges together. When you pass anyone on site, whether you know them or not, they will always salute and say hello, and it does make a difference to your day.
I know that I can reach out to a network of people when I need support, no matter what level or function, and they will be there to lend a hand. No opinion is discounted; everyone is encouraged to speak up, share ideas and try new things.
I think I have grown the most in my current role as an online Process Scientist. I have had the opportunity to work with people from many different backgrounds and learn from people who have been working on the site for up to 30 years.
Their knowledge and experiences are invaluable, and having the opportunity to work alongside them has been fantastic. Production is fast paced, with new projects and challenges to overcome daily, and I am continuously developing new skills, gaining my own experience and learning more and more about the business as a whole.
In 5 years, I see myself as a more experienced Process Scientist, potentially working on the introduction of a new product to manufacturing at Lilly Kinsale. One of the most valuable aspects of joining Lilly through a graduate or postgraduate programme is that you're an equal team member from day one — not just training but actively contributing. I would also love to spend time working in one of the Lilly sites in the US, and those opportunities are open to me.
On a sunny day, Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so it has to be West Cork or Kerry.
What are you watching at the moment?
Just finished up watching the new season of White Lotus.
My favourite meal is probably going to be Italian food, either a risotto or a really good beef ragu.
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