Science & pharmaceuticals

Fancy yourself as a bit of an Einstein? Then read on…

If you want to push forward the boundaries of science and technology then this is the sector for you! Whether you are working towards eradicating cancer, producing longer lasting electricity supplies or looking for life forms on Mars, working in the science, pharma and research sector promises to be a fascinating career. Most science based roles normally have set areas to work in such as design, research, manufacturing and testing. There is great scope within these boundaries to work in a wide variety of industries including agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, energy and transport.

What kind of work can I do?

The science sector is so vast that you could find yourself doing … well literally anything! Popular roles include:

Product and process development
Research and development
Medical and analytical chemistry
In vivo sciences
Clinical research
Manufacturing
Teaching
Writing and editing
Management and administration
Consultancy
Data management
IT support
HR
Marketing
Logistics
Sales

You’re typical day will vary according to your role. You might find yourself working in a laboratory, office, warehouse, on the factory floor or outdoors.

What are employers looking for?

To embark on a career in Science and Research you will generally need a 2.1 in an area related to the subject you want to specialise in. You will normally also be required to have at least 5 GCSEs including Science, Maths and English and 2 A levels. Some employers may also require you to have further study on top, this may be a MSc or PHd, however a lot of companies will aid your further study (both financially and physically).

Joining science fellowships and professional bodies which are registered with the Science Council will also give you the edge over other candidates.

Is this the right career for you?

If you are fascinated by science and love research then this could be the career for you. Hours are often long in this sector however job satisfaction is high, with chances for promotion and further study available.