Careers in science
There is a wide range of careers in science within the public and private sectors, academia, teaching, the not-for-profit sector and charities.
A good overview of the whole science sector is produced by AGCAS (the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services). The TARGETjobs overview of careers in science, research & development is useful, and the AGCAS manufacturing sector overview is also worth a look.
Check out the Graduate Prospects website for a range of job profiles and case studies for jobs in Scientific services.
Interested in working specifically in life sciences, physical sciences, maths or biotechnology? Check the science occupations page for useful links.
Public sector employers
Public sector jobs include the NHS for jobs within medical scientific services and local government posts within public health. The NHS also employs people for jobs in health informatics. The NHS Careers website has some job profiles of health informatics occupations. A range of government departments recruit scientists, including the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS); the Civil Service recruits scientists and engineers into the Science & Engineering part of the Fast Stream and economists and statisticians into the Government Economic Service & Government Statistical Service respectively. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) employs scientists within the Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The Environment Agency, The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), DEFRA and the National Physical Laboratory all have opportunities.
Private sector employers
Jobs in the private sector include work within industry and research and development positions (including the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries). Posts advertised on the Careers Service job lists can be identified by choosing 'Research' or 'Science' from the job types box.
Scientists also work in the patent and regulatory affairs fields.
Other employers
Charities employ scientists, especially those working in medical research. The website Jobs.ac.uk has a useful article about careers in medical research charities.
Jobs.ac.uk is the best place to search for academic posts and studentships in scientific research, as well as Times Higher Education and the New Scientist.
Ethical careers in science
Scientists for Global Responsibility has useful online resources for exploring ethical considerations in science careers. See our I want to work in ethical careers guide for lots of information on ethical careers including how to research the ethics of a company.
Other useful information on our website
Check out our 'I want to work in' guides for sector specific information:
- Healthcare - for information on medical science specialisms, psychology and medical sales
- Medicine - for information about becoming a doctor
- Earth Sciences - for information on a range of jobs within natural resources and the environment
- Environment - for advice about getting into jobs within this sector
- Patents - for information on careers in patents and regulatory affairs
- Public sector - for details of the main public sector jobs and graduate training schemes
- Science occupations pages include general science resources and sections in physical sciences; mathematics and statistics; life sciences; biochemistry; pharmaceuticals and biotechnology; science communication and medical writing and women in science.
Departmental pages and the Careers Network:
My degree - where next? gives information on the destinations of Bristol graduates in your subject, job sectors of interest, work experience, postgraduate study and useful websites.
Our Careers Network provides the opportunity to network with graduates and former research staff of the University of Bristol who are now studying, researching and working in dozens of different fields. Use it to find out more about a job you're interested in.
