Graphic Design Intern

Role Summary

• Responsibilities: You will support with the design and development of scientific posters for various medical communication events, including congresses and exhibitions
• Salary: A pro-rated salary of £25,800 per annum outside of London (£27,050 per annum in London)
• Benefits: Statutory holiday allowance, flexible working hours and the chance to work from home 1 day per week, numerous internal training and mentoring opportunities, and employer pension contributions
• Role Type: Full-time, temporary internship, lasting for either 3 or 6 months
• Start Date: This role will ideally commence in April or May 2026, and you will be asked to state your availability on your application form
• Application Deadlines: Whilst there are no set application deadlines, we strongly recommend applying as early as possible. The role will close when a suitable candidate is found
• Location: This role is available in our Global Headquarters in Cambridge, as well as our London, Manchester, and Bristol offices

About the Role

This internship is ideal for Graphic Design students or recent graduates who want to gain insight into an agency or commercial environment, as well as those looking to kickstart a career in design. In this role, you will primarily assist with the initial design and development of scientific posters for medical communication events, such as congresses and exhibitions. There may also be opportunities to contribute to other design projects, including leave pieces, infographics, and marketing assets. We are therefore looking for talented individuals with a great understanding of aesthetics and meticulous attention to detail.

You will closely collaborate with experienced members of our Creative team, who will provide comprehensive training and ensure you gain valuable, hands-on design experience in the pharmaceutical industry. You can learn more about our Creative team and see some examples of their work here: https://costellomedical.co.uk/what-we-do/medical-communications/creative/

Hybrid Working Policy: We believe that having face-to-face time in the office holds many benefits and is central to ensuring that the community we have created, where people have a workplace they belong to and feel part of, is never lost. At the same time, we recognise that homeworking can improve work life balance, reduce commuting times and costs, and provide the opportunity to juggle personal commitments.

Given the wealth of training, mentorship and development opportunities that are available as part of our internship programmes, time spent in the office is even more crucial. Therefore, our interns can work from home 1 day per week.

Career Prospects After the Internship

As a Graphic Design Intern in the Creative team, you will have the option to select an internship length of either 3 or 6 months, enabling you to develop your skills and potentially gain experience working on multiple project types. There may also be the opportunity for strong candidates to apply for the Graphic Designer role and join the team on a permanent basis, depending on business need. To learn more about the benefits that we offer for permanent roles, please click here: https://www.costellomedical.com/careers/working-at-costello-medical/benefits-package-in-the-uk/

To discover more about the personal and professional development opportunities at Costello Medical, explore first-hand accounts from our colleagues about their experiences with the company: https://www.costellomedical.com/careers/working-at-costello-medical/

About Costello Medical

Costello Medical is a rapidly growing global healthcare agency specialising in medical communications, market access, and health economic and outcomes research. We work with a wide range of clients, including the industry’s most successful pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, patient and public health bodies, and charitable organisations. We have been listed in the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For list since 2017 and were proud to receive B Corporation accreditation in 2022. Learn more about us, our work, and our mission on our website: https://www.costellomedical.com/

Requirements

About You

This internship is suited to recent graduates, as well as current students who can complete full-time internships over the holidays or via a placement as a part of their degree. We also welcome applications from those looking to begin their career in the creative industry.

Essential requirements for the role are:

• A degree-level or higher qualification in a design-related discipline (minimum or expected 2.1), in addition to a highly innovative portfolio. We welcome applications from candidates in their second year of study or later, and with a diverse range of specialisms, including but not limited to; Graphic Design, Digital Communications, Graphic Communication Design, and Marketing
• Excellent technical skills in Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, as well as a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Experience in the generation and execution of creative concepts, with a clear understanding of layout design principles
• A problem-solving mindset with the ability to think outside the box
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to take initiative and work independently, as well as collaboratively within a team
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage conflicting deadlines

Although no previous experience in the healthcare sector is required, a specific interest in applying your graphic design skills to this sector would be an advantage.

Benefits

What We Offer

At Costello Medical, we are committed to fair and competitive pay. In line with the Real Living Wage, the salary on offer is:

• £25,800 per annum for colleagues based in office locations outside London
• £27,050 per annum for colleagues based in the London office

These rates reflect regional living costs and our commitment to equitable compensation. Learn more about the Real Living Wage here: https://www.livingwage.org.uk/what-real-living-wage

Interns also benefit from:

• Exceptional internal training and mentoring
• Opportunities to contribute to pro bono and charitable projects
• Regular company-funded social activities
• Flexible working options

The Application Process

You are required to submit your CV and a cover letter via our online application form. You will also be asked to provide a PDF portfolio or a link to your online portfolio. In your cover letter, you must explain why you think you would be suited to the role and why you would like to join Costello Medical, with examples to support both. Your CV should clearly state the dates of all qualifications and grades achieved, where applicable.

Our recruitment process includes a self-recorded video interview which will be reviewed by a member of the Talent Acquisition team. Following this, you will be sent an assessment to complete in your own time. If successful, you will be invited to a final interview with senior members of our Creative team, which also includes a portfolio review. Our standard recruitment process typically lasts around 3 to 4 weeks, however this can be adapted if necessary.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and, throughout the recruitment process, there are a number of reasonable adjustments we can provide. Please click here to learn more.

Please note that, whilst we embrace AI to innovate and improve processes, your role may involve confidential data that cannot be uploaded to AI. Therefore, it is important for us to assess your own skills and abilities, so we recommend that you do not rely solely on this technology to generate any application materials.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that this role does not meet the eligibility criteria for visa sponsorship, and you will therefore need the right to work in the UK independently from the company.