Science communication
The communication of science to public audiences, politicians, journalists, educators and so on, is a broad sector of employment.
Job roles include science journalism, public relations, museum education, events organisation and project management. Some specialist master's courses in Science Communication are on offer, but important to breaking into this sector is to gain some relevant communications experience and networking to gain insights and source opporutnities within the sector. Whilst at Oxford, there are opportunities to get involved in science outreach activities in some Departments, volunteer in museums, write for University publications, enter science writing competitions, etc. If you are serious about science communication, make sure you sign up to the psci-com mailing list – details are given in the websites list at the end of this briefing. Through this list and a variety of related social media feeds, you can quickly hear about jobs, internships and volunteering opportunities in the sector.
Reading press briefings and news roundups in your area of interest can be a great way to build awareness and communication skills. These materials are hosted for example by the Science Media Centre, a registered charity leading efforts for influencing public and policymakers’ behaviour and attitudes through media coverage of science. Senior researchers including postdoctoral researchers (and potentially later-stage DPhil students) wishing to gain an insight into science news media can apply for their free ‘Introduction to Science Media’ events.
For individuals interested in science communication beyond journalism, including education focused roles, then volunteering with science festivals, charities, museum and schools outreach, and even your department can give opportunities to develop and demonstrate organisation and communication skills. Practicing different modes of communication, whether written or verbal, even in your own blog or video and build evidence of skills.
Check out our other Career Briefings for other hints and tips on this area of work.
Science publishing
Science, Medical and Technical Publishing continues to thrive in the UK and despite the growth in online publishing (particularly of scientific journals), there are still opportunities in books and journals publishing, either involving production, or as a technical or commissioning editor. The main publishers tend to be based in Oxford, Cambridge, London and the south coast.
Scientific publishing companies tend to advertise in publications such as New Scientist. It is possible to get into this type of publishing without any previous publishing experience, so you can apply directly for roles as they arise, or make speculative applications to publishers. Atwood Tate is a recruitment agency for the publishing industry which often advertises scientific and medical publishing roles. Having gained a number of years’ experience, it is possible to become freelance in this type of employment.
In addition to evidencing specialist knowledge related to the publisher’s or publication’s focus (through your degree or wider reading), build and demonstrate transferable skills suited to publishing. For roles requiring copy-editing and attention to detail, evidence from university work and extra-curricular activities helps. Strong written and verbal communication and teamwork will also be important in client-facing environments.
Medical communications
Sometimes referred to as medical education, medical communications raises awareness of medicines via education and promotion to doctors, patients, nurses and hospital management. Medical communications agencies provide consultancy to the pharmaceutical industry and can have many different focuses including advising on dissemination of clinical data and developing communications to help gain a drug more visibility, as well as advising on how to educate its stakeholders about benefits and risks of a drug or therapy using clinical data. There are many different roles which someone working in medical communications may have: medical writer, medical editor, account manager, project manager. Doctoral and postdoctoral experience is highly advantageous and skills in writing, research, statistics, excellent attention to detail and client focus will be essential for most roles. Some employers offer careers days, short work experience programmes, or entry-level hiring schemes specifically for doctoral level individuals. While most medical writers start out working for an agency, many freelance or work flexibly from home for an agency after gaining some experience.
A useful careers guide can be found on FirstMedCommsJob, outlining roles from account management and medical writing, and providing advice for getting started in this sector.
Science policy
In this area scientists draw upon their knowledge and understanding of science to inform and assist in policy formulation. Typical employers would be scientific professional bodies, e.g. Royal Society, Institute of Physics, and public sector organisations, e.g. the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). Some charities and think tanks may also have a policy focus requiring scientific knowledge. More information can be found in our Think Tanks sector briefing.
Internationally, many of the issues coming before the European Parliament, for example, have a scientific or technological theme. They may be proposals directly relating to research or innovation policy, or measures concerning the many ways in which science and technology impact on society, the economy or the environment. Consult the Europa EU Careers Traineeships website for details of traineeships and links to the websites of individual institutions, bodies and agencies. Other websites such as Eurobrussels show a wide range of policy-related opportunities in Europe, and the European Commission Blue Book Traineeship programme.
The few entry-level opportunities in this sector tend to be advertised in the New Scientist, Times Higher Education and the Guardian. CaSE: Campaign for Science and Engineering also publicise some opportunities via their website. Networking and speculative approaches to employers for work experience may also be helpful to get a foot in the door. POST offers some three-month fellowship schemes for PhD students.
Data science
Data Science can offer a research-based career in industry or the public sector for people with strong analytical skills and a desire to solve interesting problems. As the volume of data and the quality of the tools have expanded, so the range of data scientist roles has grown rapidly. Roles are available across diverse sectors due to their utility in influencing strategy and decision making. This ranges from innovation and business strategy at the world’s largest technology and social media firms; science research and development; healthcare and high finance; marketing and weather forecasting; and retail and advertising.
Data Scientists use their expertise and knowledge to turn data into intelligence and to communicate their findings in order to influence decision making, policy and strategy. People with right mix of business acumen and technical skills (e.g. especially DPhil and MSc graduates in computer science, modelling, statistics, analytics and maths) and those with the potential and motivation to develop the skills needed are desirable for many organisations utilising data science for strategic insights.
Whilst Data Scientists commonly specialise in data analysis and often predictive modelling to assess future potential outcomes, adjacent roles to investigate are Data Analysts (interpreting data to find trends and patterns, creating visualisations and reports to guide decisions), Data Engineers (creating the infrastructure to collect, process and store data). Advancement in Machine Learning methods and AI will increasingly influence the focus and skills required for many roles. More information can be found in our Tech: IT, Data, Machine Learning, and AI Sector Briefing.
Technology transfer
Universities have become increasingly successful at setting up spin-out companies to exploit the commercial potential of academic research. In Oxford we have Oxford University Innovation. There are sometimes opportunities for science graduates and postgraduates to work in organisations that promote this kind of activity. Oxford Science Enterprises, also builds and invests in a lot of University spinouts converting intellectual property into business. Oxford EnSpire is the university’s hub for developing entrepreneurship skills, and provides a range of training and networking opportunities. The Wellcome Trust has an option in this area under its Graduate Development programme.
A source of vacancies for jobs in this field is Research Professional where jobs in research administration are advertised. It may be worth checking the members directory on the Knowledge Exchange UK website.
Intellectual property and patents
Intellectual property (IP) law is commonly divided into patents, trademarks, design rights, copyright, passing off, anti-counterfeiting and confidential information. Law firms that specialise in this area often recruit scientists to become trainee solicitors. Patent lawyers or agents help to secure effective protection for innovations and developments, and advise their clients on intellectual property rights. Scientists and engineers with an interest in the law may be interested in this area of work, which is covered in more detail in our information on Patent Work.
Roles in manufacturing, Production Management and Quality Assurance
Aside from Research & Development (R&D), scientists work in a range of other operational roles in manufacturing, including quality control and assurance, product preservation and formulation, packaging and operations and production roles.
Production management, also known as operations management, is the planning, co-ordination and control of industrial processes. Most manufacturing companies have a production manager, though the actual job title will vary.
The types of employers that recruit into this area include food companies, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals and electronics manufacturers. On top of the technical skills this kind of job requires, there can also be a considerable amount of staff management involved.
Quality Assurance (QA), is a function that exists in the manufacturing, engineering and service industry sector. QA is a part of quality management, which focuses on providing confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled. Quality management involves co-ordinating activities required to direct and control an organisation with regard to quality. Essential skills include communication, problem-solving, organising and planning, good numerical skills and the ability to use statistics. Understanding other work disciplines, such as engineering and science, is essential to the job.
For details of manufacturing companies that offer graduate schemes, take a look at the General Management Career Briefing and general graduate career websites such as Prospects and TargetJobs.
Whilst focusing on research roles, additional contextual information and resources such as specialist jobs boards which will post non-research operational roles are available on our on Science R&D Sector Briefing.
Technical sales and marketing
Manufacturing industries, including petrochemicals, instrumentation and speciality chemicals, employ scientists in customer-facing roles where they can use their skills to overcome technical problems and have a better understanding of customer needs.
A particular example of this role is medical sales representatives, who provide a link between pharmaceutical companies and medical and healthcare professionals. They work with general practitioners, primary care trusts and hospitals, normally within a specific geographical area. As well as one-to-one visits, they may organise group events and make presentations to healthcare professionals. See our information on Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology and the Medical Sales Representative Job Profile by Prospects.ac.uk for more details.for more details.
Science consulting and market research
There are opportunities in consulting for scientists to apply their scientific background and analytical skills to solving client problems. This may involve strategic consulting for an oil company or working in a specialist consulting firm that aims to improve the output/efficiency of a manufacturing process. Other firms undertake business-to-business research, write expert market reports about topics such as pharmaceutical pricing or provide market intelligence.
Whilst large and generalist Management Consultancy firms can often operate partially in science and technology areas, there is not a guarantee your work will focus on these areas as you progress through the early stages of your career. For DPhil/PhD holders, entering as ‘advanced degree candidates’ or ‘experienced hire’ programmes could potentially utilise your specialist knowledge upon joining. However, searching for specialist Life Science, Healthcare, Innovation and Mathematical consultancies can ensure a greater specialisation of focus. You can read more in our Consultancy sector briefing.
Market research operates in a similar way to consulting, as it depends on the collection and interpretation of reliable information to inform large organisations about marketing strategy, and help them to test products or develop policy.
Scientific recruitment consultancy and head-hunting
Science graduates and postgraduates may be employed in specialist recruitment roles, where, for example, they may be recruiting senior people into technical roles in industries such as the pharmaceutical industry. You will be liaising between employers and potential employees and an understanding of the technical aspects of some roles can be useful in understanding client needs. Our information on Human Resources will give you some leads about getting into this area of work.
Public sector roles for scientists
The UK Civil Service recruits scientists and engineers through both direct-entry roles and various divisions of the Civil Service Fast Stream which offers structured rotations and training for future. The Science and Engineering Fast Stream is one branch, but it is worth investigating other branches to find ones that best match your skills and interests.
Departments and bodies of interest to scientists include Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (science, research and technology policy and delivery), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (energy security and net-zero), and The Ministry of Defence (MOD) also recruits scientists and engineers into policy, capability and delivery roles. The Department for Business and Trade (growth, business and trade) plays a vital role in promoting world-class science and innovation, supporting successful British businesses, ensuring fair and flexible markets and offering scientists and engineers a wide range of opportunities in business and policy areas.
Beyond central departments, scientists are employed across national agencies and arm’s-length bodies. Investigate government departments and associated public bodies to discover additional opportunities, or browse current vacancies on Civil Service Jobs.
NHS
Opportunities for scientists in the NHS range from biomedical science roles to medical physicists to therapy specialists. Technical, operational, and management roles are possible. For details of the wide range of opportunities in the NHS and entry requirements, visit the NHS Health Careers and NHS Jobs websites.
Science funding and administration
The administration of scientific research can be a great way to keep in touch with the latest developments in science. This kind of role could involve administering grant applications, providing advice to potential applicants, organising the peer review of research grant applications and so on. Likely employers include the Research Councils, e.g. UKRI research councils, and major funding bodies like the Wellcome Trust. The Wellcome Trust has a 2-year Graduate Development Programme, with one of the options covering Funding and another Grants Management. This is also a growing field within universities themselves with opportunities to work both in the administration side and with researchers themselves as a research facilitator. Research experience may be a requirement for some employers, especially for roles which involve developing and maintaining contacts with the research community, e.g. university departments.
