Career essentials
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Beyond science: alternative graduate careers for scientists
Whether you leave science completely, or choose to stay out of the lab, there are many graduate career options for scientists to consider.
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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 if postgraduate study will improve your options, or simply find out what your options are, you can find careers advice here.
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Scientific postgraduate study: MSc, MRes or PhD?
Getting a science postgraduate qualification could set you off on a budding academic or commercial research career or put you on the right path to getting a graduate science job in a specialist area. Find out what you could do and how to weigh up the benefits.
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What can I do with my science degree in...?
A swift run down of options for students and graduates of life sciences and physical sciences degrees.
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Technical interviews: putting your graduate science skills to the test
They won't be looking for Einstein, but science interviewers will want to see whether you know your stuff, can think ideas through and be the best graduate for the job.
Job descriptions
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Pharmacist: job description
Pharmacists dispense drugs prescribed by doctors and other health professionals and provide information to patients about medications and their use. This career requires life-long learning to keep up to date with new drugs and treatments.
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Food technologist: job description
Food technologists are responsible for the safe and efficient development, modification and manufacture of food products and processes.
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Clinical microbiologist: job description
Clinical microbiologists undertake scientific research into microorganisms with the aim of identifying new ways of diagnosing, treating and preventing infectious diseases.
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Operational researcher: job description
Operational researchers provide the quantitative and qualitative information that improves strategies, decision-making and processes.
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Statistician: job description
Statisticians collect, analyse and interpret quantitative data.
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Product development scientist: job description
Product or process development scientists are responsible for researching and developing new production processes and making modifications to existing manufacturing systems to improve overall efficiency and profitability.
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Marine scientist: job description
Marine scientists research the sea and study its interactions with its organisms, sea floors, coastal areas and the atmosphere.
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Pharmacovigilance officer: job description
Pharmacovigilance officers play a key role in the pharmaceutical industry and the development and testing of new medications. They ensure that drugs on the market are safe for patients and identify any problems.
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Veterinary surgeon: job description
Veterinary surgeons maintain the health and welfare of a wide range of animals, from personal pets to livestock, zoo specimens, or even injured wild animals.
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Clinical molecular geneticist: job description
Clinical molecular geneticists are responsible for detecting, analysing and interpreting disease-linked genetic abnormalities within patients via molecular biological and biochemical screening.
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Packaging technologist: job description
Packaging technologists are responsible for the design, development and manufacture of packaging for a range of products.
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Environmental manager: job description
Environmental managers are responsible for overseeing the environmental performance of private and public sector organisations and for developing, implementing and monitoring environmental strategies that promote sustainable development.
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Cartographer: job description
Cartographers study, design, produce and distribute digital and conventional maps, charts, spreadsheets and diagrams for public sector and commercial customers.
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Materials specialist: job description
Materials specialists make sure the right material is used for the right job and may be involved in developing, selecting or evaluating materials for specialist uses.
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Research chemist: job description
Research chemists work in a range of industries on products including cosmetics, electronics and pharmaceuticals.
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Forensic scientist: job description
Forensic scientists use analytical and scientific techniques to examine evidence from crimes and prepare legal statements that summarise the results for court cases.
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Clinical research associate: job description
Clinical research associates (CRAs) organise and administer clinical trials of new or current drugs in order to assess the benefits and risks of using them.
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Pharmacologist: job description
Pharmacologists investigate and analyse drugs, chemicals and other substances to discover how they affect biological systems, and to assess how they can be used safely.
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Ergonomist: job description
Ergonomists employ a variety of scientific techniques and problem-solving skills to ensure that the designs of systems, equipment and facilities provide the best levels of efficiency, comfort and health and safety for anyone using them.
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Regulatory affairs officer: job description
Regulatory affairs officers act as a link between companies and regulatory authorities, ensuring that products are manufactured and distributed in compliance with appropriate legislation.
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Medical physicist: job description
Medical physicists use analytical and applied scientific techniques to assist healthcare workers in the safe diagnosis and treatment of patients.
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Medical representative: job description
Medical representatives are the key point of contact between pharmaceutical and medical companies and healthcare professionals.
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Crystallographer: job description
Crystallography is a branch of science that examines crystal forms of materials that form crystalline compounds. It generates knowledge that is used to make exciting advances in fields such as medicine, electronics and manufacturing, and can also be used to support patent applications.
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Horticultural consultant: job description
Horticultural consultants are specialist advisers who identify and assess horticultural problems and provide appropriate technical or business advice to commercial and public sector clients.
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Clinical scientist - tissue typing: job description
Tissue typing clinical scientists are responsible for genetically matching patients with possible organ and stem cell (including bone marrow) donors.
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Plant breeder: job description
Plant breeders (also known as geneticists) undertake scientific research into plant and crop-based agriculture with the aim of improving plant breeding techniques and developing new strains of crops.
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Toxicologist: job description
Toxicologists use analytical and scientific techniques to identify toxins such as chemicals, biological substances and radiation, and to assess the potential risks and harmful effects posed by them.
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Exploration geologist: job description
Exploration geologists use geophysical techniques, such as seismic and electromagnetic methods, to forecast where mineral deposits may be located for extraction purposes.
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Research scientist: job description
Research scientists are responsible for designing, undertaking and analysing information from controlled laboratory-based investigations, experiments and trials.
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Laboratory technician: job description
Laboratory technicians support laboratory-based scientific investigations by undertaking a range of routine technical tasks and experiments.
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Metallurgist: job description
Metallurgists work with metals and alloys in the development and manufacturing of metal items and structures that range from tiny precision-made components to huge engineering parts.
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Hydrologist: job description
Hydrologists research, develop and maintain safe and sustainable domestic or natural water management strategies.
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Clothing and textile technologist: job description
Clothing and textile technologists design, develop and manufacture natural and synthetic yarns, fabrics and textiles.
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Biomedical scientist: job description
Biomedical scientists carry out experiments on samples of body fluids and tissue to help develop solutions to threatening diseases.
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Biotechnologist: job description
A biotechnologist uses biological organisms to create and improve products and processes. They work in areas as diverse as food and agriculture, environmental conservation and medicine.
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Field trials officer: job description
Field trials officers are responsible for designing, conducting and monitoring the effects of experiments/trials on animals and plants in the field, glasshouses and laboratories.
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Fisheries officer: job description
Fisheries officers monitor, manage and protect farmed and wild fish stocks and the rivers, lakes and other habitats where they live.
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Clinical biochemist: job description
Clinical biochemists analyse patient samples to help medical staff diagnose illnesses.
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Meteorologist: job description
Meteorologists use a variety of scientific techniques to understand, interpret, observe and predict the earth's atmosphere and its phenomena.
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Immunologist: job description
Immunologists investigate the human immune system and to develop new treatments, therapies or vaccines to control infections, illnesses and cancer.
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Colour technologist: job description
Colour technologists are responsible for developing and producing dyes and pigments.
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Analytical chemist: job description
Analytical chemists assess the chemical structure and nature of substances. Their skills are needed for a variety of purposes including drug development, forensic analysis and toxicology.
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Environmental scientist: job description
Environmental scientists study the effects of human activities on the environment by conducting tests and analysing data in order to prevent and solve environmental problems.
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Geneticist: job description
Genetics is a branch of biology that studies the inheritance of physical and behavioural characteristics of living things, and how these traits are passed down through generations.
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Veterinary nurse: job description
Veterinary nurses assist veterinary surgeons in the diagnosis, treatment and care of sick or injured domestic, farm and zoo animals.
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Seismic interpreter: job description
Seismic interpreters use a variety of technical, computational and scientific modelling techniques to produce geophysical and geological data that can be used to analyse the hydrocarbon content of rock structures.
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Microbiologist: job description
Microbiologists use a wide range of analytical and scientific techniques to monitor and study microbes such as algae, bacteria, fungi and viruses.
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Commercial horticulturist: job description
Commercial horticulturists are responsible for overseeing the growth, harvesting, packaging, selling and distribution of crops.
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Animal nutritionist: job description
Animal nutritionists are scientists who analyse the nutritional value of animal feeds and provide livestock dietary advice to farming, agricultural and public sector staff.
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Nanoscientist: job description
Nanoscience is a relatively new branch of the physical sciences and is ideal for scientists who want to focus in on the small details. Nanoscientists often specialise in the industrial or engineering fields, pure research or medical nanotechnology.
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Food scientist: job description
Food scientists apply scientific expertise and technological principles to the study of food products and processes within manufacturing and research settings.
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Clinical cytogeneticist: job description
Clinical cytogeneticists work as part of a medical team responsible for detecting, analysing and interpreting genetic diseases in human blood, tissue and bodily fluid samples.
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Oceanographer: job description
Oceanographers employ mathematical, engineering and scientific theories to investigate the relationships between fresh water, seawater, the biosphere, atmosphere and polar ice caps.
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Soil scientist: job description
Soil scientists analyse soil samples to provide information about its quality and structure for construction, agricultural, government, industrial and scientific staff.
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Archivist: job description
Archivists are responsible for the provision, care and management of permanent collections of information that are intended to preserve the past and allow others to discover it.
