• Oops! We couldn't find the page you requested so we've taken you back to a page we think might help you to try and find the content you're after.
  • Oops! We couldn't find the page you requested so we've taken you back to a page we think might help you to try and find the content you're after.

How do I get a graduate job in science, research and development?

Everything you need to know about graduate jobs with science employers and technology companies. Whether you want to know whether postgraduate study will improve your graduate science job options, or what science work you can do with your degree, you can find careers advice here.

Careers in science, research and development are all about pushing forward the frontiers of science and technology and applying scientific skills and expertise for social and commercial benefits. Science employers cover a broad range of fields and jobs for graduates can be found in a wide range of places, depending on what science degree you have studied. You can work in industry, research, healthcare or education. You could spend your days in a high-tech laboratory, an office, a field, a classroom or even a TV studio.

There are many research and development vacancies requiring scientists from all backgrounds. This is particularly true for biologists and chemists, who may find employment in the health, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors. Chemists are the science graduates most likely to enter a research career immediately after their first degree (source: HECSU/AGCAS). Physics graduates are more likely to work in technology organisations in the engineering, IT and telecommunications sectors.

How can I get a graduate job in science, research and development?

Employers look for talented graduates from degree and postgraduate backgrounds in subjects applicable to their field of science. Larger recruiters run graduate programmes and schemes to which you can apply directly. If you’re in the earlier years of your degree, explore scientific work experience placements and internship opportunities with science employers to boost your applied skills and knowledge of careers in this sector.

What are the key areas of work?

Scientists are employed by all sorts of organisations. Key sectors for science graduates to explore include:

Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: Opportunities in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology focus on research and development. Positions include drug discovery and development, clinical trials and manufacture, marketing and regulation, as well as support such as IT and HR. Some areas are dedicated to environmental science, looking at ways to mitigate the effect on the environment. You can enter the industry from a wide range of degree subjects, including all the sciences as well as engineering and IT. Certain roles require specific scientific expertise and some need a postgraduate qualification.

Chemical industries: Chemical industries manufacture products for a range of fields, including food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and safety. It’s one of the UK’s largest manufacturing industries, with an annual turnover of around £55 billion, and it provides direct employment to 180,000 people. The industry is mainly focused on research, which requires graduates with chemistry or chemical degrees, but there are also positions available for development scientists and engineers. Increased emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility means that there are positions for environmental scientists.

Aerospace and defence: The UK has the world’s second largest aerospace and defence industry. There are many positions available in research and development, as well as in air transport, aerospace defence and space development. Organisations working in these sectors may have graduate vacancies for physics and materials science graduates.

Healthcare: Healthcare scientists work in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness, which require a wide range of scientific knowledge and skills. You can work either for the NHS or in private medicine. You don’t need a biological sciences degree – jobs are available in areas such as pharmacy, pathology and life sciences, physiological sciences, clinical engineering and physical sciences. Many positions entail a period of further study, which may lead to registration and a postgraduate qualification.

Science alternatives: Other employers of scientists include IT, engineering and technology companies, financial organisations and management consultancies. You could join the civil service fast stream and work for a government department.

What qualifications and skills do I need to work in science?

Science recruiters are many and varied. The degree qualifications they require obviously depend on the vacancies and positions available and on which area of science the organisation operates in. If you are applying for a job that is related to your degree you will certainly need laboratory or technical skills related to the area of work.

At interview, expect to talk about the modules of your degree that are related to the organisation’s business. In today’s multidisciplinary employment market, scientific expertise is not enough: you also need transferable skills, which include:

  • logical thinking
  • problem solving
  • analytical skills
  • objective thinking
  • numerical skills.

Employers also value scientists with other core skills and competences, such as:

How important is a postgraduate degree for careers in science?

A significant proportion of science graduates continue their studies to postgraduate level. This is essential for some research and development careers but it’s important to go into further study with your eyes open. You need to know from the outset why you want to do it and what it could lead to.

A masters may build on your graduate knowledge of a particular subject and give you the edge when applying for graduate jobs, while a doctorate gives you a chance to choose your specialism before you start working. Many scientific research councils provide information on postgraduate study – but be aware that applications for funding must be made through your university.

What are the salaries in science, research and development?

Entry-level salaries depend on the position and the employer, but there seems to have been a recent increase in earnings across the board. Chemical and pharmaceutical employers offer an average starting salary of £23,000, whereas research and development and other science jobs are more likely to offer around £21,000.

What training and professional development opportunities are there?

The main scientific professional bodies and institutions offer professional development and routes to chartered status, an internationally recognised mark of excellence. Review the continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities offered through the main scientific professional bodies at their websites (see selection at the bottom of this article).

In some roles you may have the opportunity to continue your studies, either through a career break or part-time study. Many healthcare science training-grade roles involve studying part time for a masters degree while working.

What's the application process for science jobs?

The majority of larger science employers expect graduates to apply for jobs through their online application systems. For smaller, specialist science employers (for example, a small biotech firm) submitting a CV and covering letter via e-mail is more typical. The selection process then typically involves tests (eg numerical, personality and verbal reasoning), interviews (general and technical), and/or an assessment centre.

When should I apply for science jobs?

If you want a job on graduation you should start looking early in your final year, if not before. First identify what you want to do, find out which organisations offer opportunities in this area and do some research. Check employers’ application schedules carefully: there may be specific times of the year when jobs are posted and a set date for applications, particularly for training-grade positions in healthcare science.

If you are a life science student looking at the large pharmaceutical employers, make sure you are on the ball and checking out internship opportunities with them before your final year.

What’s the competition for science graduate programmes like?

Some scientific sectors will be more competitive than others – most chemists know who the main pharmaceutical employers are, so those organisations will be bombarded with applications from aspiring researchers. If you are targeting a competitive area of science, make sure that your application stands out for the right reasons. Do your research so that you know what they are looking for, and make sure you’re a good match.

Useful information from professional associations in science

Work within science, research and development

Related graduate career areas to explore

share

Recruiting now