accept job rotation offer?

[Susan H.]

Dear forum,
I work for big pharma R&D API process development/scale-up in Europe (3 years). Today I got offered a job rotation position for API production (1.5 years), starting in autumn. I have mixed feelings about this offer. On the one hand it is time for me to move on, but to be honest I have a different path in mind (process research). And I have worked in production in my previous company. Are my thoughts careless? Is this a big opportunity? Can I ask for an extra, like a promotion to a senior position? Has anyone done s.th. similar and is willing to share his or her experience? I have a total of 8 years experience in pharma R&D and production, plus a 1.5 year postdoc (USA). Any thoughts welcome!

[Dave Walker]

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your post -- hopefully someone with European pharma R&D experience can evaluate your plan in detail.

I confess that I don't know much about R&D production/process development. Is this new "rotation" a promotion? You say it's for 1.5 years -- what happens after this? Do you get rotated somewhere else?

My opinion: it's a good idea to make each career step closer to what you want. If you have "mixed feelings" about this offer, then it sounds like it won't help to get you where you want to go in your career. Instead, you should start looking/networking in your preferred field.

If you're switching to a new role, you can ask for a promotion, especially if it will help you out further. Unless I am missing something?