Careers Paths

There are many career paths available to students who study the biosciences ranging from careers in medicine to the environment, from marine biologist to pharmacologist and many careers in between! 

Interested in Biochemistry?

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry behind life’s most fundamental processes at the molecular level. Biochemists primarily study cellular processes such as protein synthesis and gene transcription, but also cover areas including development and disease, energy and metabolism, enzymes and plant biology.

Biochemists work in hospitals, university research departments, scientific law, science publishing and journalism, drug manufacturing, agriculture and the food industry. More careers information can be found the Biochemical Society Careers Pages.

What about Clinical Biochemistry?

Clinical Biochemistry is concerned with changes in the composition of blood, and other body fluids, associated with diagnosis of disease and monitoring of therapy. It has a long history - Chinese and Egyptian physicians and scientists made observations on the changes in urine in certain diseases more than 2000 years ago. However, modern Clinical Biochemistry began around a hundred years ago, coupled with developments in organic chemistry and the beginnings of what we now call biochemistry. More careers information can be found at the Association for Clinical Biochemistry.    

Explored Endocrinology yet?

‘I work as an Endocrinologist’ is a statement that could be made by people doing a wide variety of jobs, but all sharing a common interest in hormones and their actions. Endocrinologists may work as laboratory researchers, nurses, vets, physicians, university academics, drug developers in the pharmaceutical industry, toxicologists, environmentalists and clinical biochemists.  There are many different routes you can take to become an endocrinologist - why don't you find out more?

Tried your hand at Experimental Biology?

The Society for Experimental Biology can offer specialised careers information talks, workshops and one-to-one advice to biologists (including school students, undergraduates, postgraduates and up to postdoctoral and academic levels). They can help biologists at the start of their careers as well as those looking to develop their current career. In addition to offering practical help with CV writing they offer individual career coaching and career management techniques. More careers information can be found at The Society for Experimental Biology.

We Share about 80% of our Genes with a Mouse

Genes are the working parts of DNA - the vast chemical database that forms the blueprint for humans, animals, plants, insects and bacteria. Both humans and microscopic worms have about 19,000 genes (only about a QUARTER the number of people at a Manchester United match!). More careers information can be found at The Genetics Society.

Chemistry at Work 

A qualification in the chemical sciences opens doors to a wide range of rewarding careers. In fact, there are so many exciting careers out there that it's sometimes hard to know which direction to take. A degree in chemistry could increase your lifetime earnings by £190,000 compared to what you could achieve with two A Levels. More careers information can be found at the Royal Society of Chemistry.  

A Keen Eye for Small Details? 

If you are interested in microscopy and imaging then the Royal Microscopical Society has information as well as a range of courses designed to enhance your skills. 

Microbiology

We share the earth with billions of microbes - they live in a wide range of habitats from hot springs to the ocean depths and, of course, the human body. Microbiologists study microbes: where they occur, their survival strategies, how they affect us and how we can exploit them. Just as microbes affect our health, food and the environment there is a wide range of job opportunities for microbiologists. More careers information can be found at the Society for General Microbiology. They also answer individual enquiries by email.  

A Passion for Nutrition?

Nutrition science is the study of how the body utilizes nutrients (from food and drink) in growth, development, maintenance of health and disease prevention.  There is a broad range of employment opportunities open to nutrition graduates, including work in health promotion, research, industry or for government/policy organizations. More careers information about careers in nutrition can be found at the British Nutrition Foundation and the Nutritional Society.  

You can test your food knowledge and explore the possibilities of a career in food science at the Institute of Food Science & Technology.

Ecology and the Environment                                

Ecology is the scientific study of the distribution, abundance and dynamics of organisms, their interactions with other organisms and with their physical environment.  At a time when finite natural resources are being used at increasing rates, it has never been more important for human society to understand its impact on ecological systems and their importance in maintaining human health. More careers information can be found at the British Ecological Society. 

If you have a fascination with animals and plants an interest in the functioning of natural systems then perhaps a career in Environmental Sciences could be for you. More careers information can be found at the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. 

To find out about potential environmental jobs, the salaries they pay and the type of companies that will employ you have a look at the Environmental Careers website.    

Like Getting to the Root of the Problem?

As the earth's population expands, and global climate changes, increasing demands are made on our limited cropping area.  Ever present pest and pathogen populations continue to cause serious crop losses and, on a world scale, crop protection remains one of man's principal challenges.  Already plant pathologists play a central role in reducing crop losses and demands for such skills must surely increase.  More careers information can be found at the British Society for Plant Pathology.

If you are interested in working in plant science research, horticulture or agriculture, the Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS) website lists all the institutions in the UK which run courses leading to these careers. SAPS supports teaching and learning about plants in schools and colleges so that more young people can enjoy and understand the importance of plants in the world, and we can ensure a good supply of future plant scientists to work on key challenges like food security, renewable energy and climate change. More careers information can be found online at Science and Plants for Schools and at Gatbsy Plants. 

Animal Science

Recognising the importance of learning, both academic and skills based, plus personal development throughout the careers of animal technologists, the Institute of Animal Technology Supports animal technologists to achieve their full potential.  This enables their members to contribute fully to the field of laboratory animal science and technology, animal welfare and UK biomedical science and drug development. More careers information can be found at the Institute of Animal Technology.

Students can also find out information of conservation and the animal kingdom online at the Zoological Society of London. On these pages you can also read about zoo case studies in addition to work experience and volunteering opportunities on offer. 

Physiology

Physiology is the study of body function - how cells, tissues and organs work, and how they are integrated in the whole individual. The study of physiology is of central importance in medicine and related health sciences. Career prospects for students who complete a degree in physiology (or related subject) are vast: more obvious opportunities include academic and industry-based research but diversify away from science to management consultancy, accountancy and investment banking. More careers information can be found at the Physiological Society.  

Pharmaceutical Careers

Pharmaceutical company employees are all focused on a single task – delivering effective medicines to patients. Industry scientists and engineers work at the cutting edge of science and technology, using state of the art techniques to deliver the medicines of the future. ABPI, the trade association representing the pharmaceutical industry, has developed this website to highlight the opportunities available within the industry. More careers information can be found at the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

General information on careers in the pharmaceutical industry for school leavers, undergraduates and postgraduates in the field of Toxicology can be found on the ABPI careers website and more specifically on toxicology careers.  The British Toxicology Society website can be found here. They also have a careers booklet containing essential information which can be found here.

Careers in Immunology and Pharmacology

Would you like to develop biological tests in cellular or tissue systems or in whole animals and use them to identify new medicines? Pharmacologists have a key role in designing these tests that are essential to select compounds with the characteristics to become a new medicine. A medicine must reach the desired site of action and remain there for a sufficient length of time to produce the beneficial effect. The medicine must then be eliminated from the body without producing side effects. The pharmacologist designs tests to study the absorption and removal of the medicine from the body. More careers information can be found at the British Pharmacological Society.                          

Immunologists are scientists or clinicians who specialise in the field of Immunology. Immunology is a very broad branch of the biological sciences and is defined as the study of an organism's defence (immune) system, in both health and disease. All multicellular organisms are prey to infection or invasion. Harmful organisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites constantly seek to gain access into the body, and if successful, this can lead to a number of serious diseases. More careers information can be found at the British Society for Immunology.   

Medical and Biomedical Careers 

The National Health Service offers a huge range of exciting and challenging opportunities for people who are passionate about making a difference. With more than 300 different careers on offer, there is a job for you no matter what your interests, skills or qualifications More careers information can be found at NHS Careers.                               

Biomedical scientists work in healthcare to diagnose disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment through the analysis of fluids and tissue samples from patients. They provide the 'engine room' of modern medicine with 70% of diagnoses based on the pathology results provided by laboratory services. With biomedical scientists handling an estimated 150 million samples in the UK, every person at some point in their lives will have benefited from their services. More careers information can be found at the Institute of Biomedical Science.  

The Academy of Medical Sciences campaigns for the development, protection and promotion of careers for academics in the biomedical sciences and encourages good practice in training and development. More careers information can be found at The Academy of Medical Sciences.

Is Explaining Science your Forte?

How does biology come from research labs to the public? Are you able to explain to your parents how crops power cars instead of petrol? 

If you can then perhaps a career in Science Communication is for you. Exploring and explaining biology through practical experiments, television documentaries, newspaper articles, websites and much more.

The Association of British Science Writers is the first port of call and from their website you can find information on becoming a science writer.  Intute also offer a range of websites with further information. 

If you’re interested in medical writing then the European Medical Writer’s Association is a good starting point as well as their Careers Guide. and for general science writing the University of Kent offers an insight with a range of websites for you to use as starting points.                     

Want to Share your Knowledge with Others?

If you’re a graduate and you’re not sure if teaching is for you then Teach First offers hands-on experiences and includes leadership training to bring out the best in you.  

Schools want teachers who have science degrees and they are making a difference in the lives of primary and secondary school pupils across the country.  If you’re passionate about teaching or just want to find out a bit more careers information about it then visit the TDA.   

You can also join The Association For Science Education which offers support for those interested in science teaching.

New Scientist offers a downloadable Careers Guide which can be found here.

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