Careers Service

Source: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/sectors/science/ Parent: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/findjobs/sectors/

Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer

Home

Careers Service

Scientific Work

The scientific sector offers a range of career options, both in and out of the lab. Applying what you know about your subject to your role is an important part of scientific work, and some options need a degree in a relevant discipline. However, there are also roles for graduates without a science degree.

Explore these sections for advice on work experience and specific roles in science, or see below for a general overview of science careers.

Explore job roles

There are lots of job roles for science graduates depending on how you want to use your degree discipline.

Do you want to work in a practical or 'lab' setting? (R&D, healthcare science, technician)
Do you want to work away from the lab but still use your degree in an applied way? (patents, science communicator, technical advisor)
Do you want to use the skills from your degree rather than the subject itself? (analytical skills, problem solving, data handling)

Use the websites below to explore job profiles and to find out about, skills, entry routes and experience

What can I do with a science degreeTargetJobs website
Not Just Lab CoatsCareer options in science, manufacturing and technology
Articles and career information on New Scientist JobsIncluding career guides for specific roles and sectors
Alternative science careers: 10 roles outside the labProspects website
Careers in the pharmaceutical industryAssociation of the British Pharmaceutical Industry careers site
Careers in Food ScienceInstitute of Food Technologists

How can I explore careers that use my science specialism?

Prospects website lists different career options for a range of degree disciplines What can I do with my degree?

Most areas of science have a learned society or academic association to promote the discipline. Often they host careers information for those considering study in that field or those interested in further professional development. Some offer careers advice to members, too. For example:

I don’t have a science degree, but I am interested in science

Science companies don’t just employ scientists. To illustrate, check out this info from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, which breaks down the drugs development cycle to show the different roles at each stage and a degree chart showing how different subjects map on to it.

Jobs in science open to any degree:

Medical sales representative
Researcher in science consultancy (e.g. one of our history graduates worked as a research executive for a medical communications agency)
Science writers are commonly people who move from a science career into writing or who move from journalism into specialist science writing
Primary school teacher / science education – science is a key part of the curriculum
Administration and public engagement roles in learned societies
Computer scientist? Bioinformatics / cheminformatics; Highly numerate? Science businesses need data analysts too
Clinical trials administrator– entry level roles do not always require a science degree, though a relevant degree may be needed to progress in some organisations

If you want a more technical role you could consider further study (e.g. a postgrad conversion course) or completing a second undergraduate degree. Check out our pages on undergraduate study if you are contemplating doing a second degree.

As a general rule, UK students who have previously completed an undergraduate degree will not be able to qualify for government support for a second undergraduate degree. This includes the tuition fee loan and the maintenance loan.

Use the links below to get an overview of skills, entry routes and experience

Science and pharmaceuticals | Prospects Overview of graduate roles in science, including alternative science careers and science graduate schemes.
Science sector | Targetjobs

Tip: Use the information about skills in the profiles to help you build a tailored CV.

Further study and training

If you want to work in R&D or build more specialist skills, you may be considering further study, whether a master’s or a PhD. Your starting point should be what attracts you to working in science in the first place. If your ideal job requires specialist understanding or if you aspire to drive forward the boundaries of research, a PhD is probably going to be necessary.

If thinking about a PhD, ask yourself about your motivation for doctoral level study. Are you doing it because you have to or because you’d do one anyway.

A Master’s degree is not a requirement for all PhD programmes, as long as you have a good undergrad degree (2:1 or 1st) and can prove your passion for research. Relevant experience, from study, a work placement or a studentship will also be an advantage.

Tip: look for summer research opportunities for undergraduates in universities and research institutes to test it out [link to work experience page]