1. Careers Centre
Non lab-based careers for
life scientists
Jess Henderson
Careers Consultant
These are slides from a lecture given in November 2017. It is
not intended as an exhaustive list of options, but rather as a
way of flagging up some of the ways it is possible to work in,
or related to, science but in a non lab-based role.
Some links are provided for sources of further information as
well as some example jobs and internships, which may not still
be live.
In addition to ideas given here, there are also loads of non-
science related options open to you as a science graduate.
2. Careers Centre
Aim
Provide an overview of some of the non lab-based, but
science related, career options for life sciences students
3. Careers Centre
Starting points……
What interests you about science?
What else are you interested in?
How ‘involved’ – or not – do you want to be?
What things do you enjoy doing?
What sort of organisation do you want to work in?
What are your values?
4. Careers Centre
Trends
Aging, growing population
Pressures on natural resources inc. food production
Growth in biotechnology, bioengineering, digital/ technology
Life Sciences are target growth area for UK govt. (and globally)
Health and life sciences markets are predicted to grow between
4-10% per year over the next 8-10 yrs. http://bit.ly/1kYC7aN
UK Life Sciences Contribution to UK economy
http://bit.ly/2yVjcYU
5. Careers Centre
UK Life Sciences: Strength & Opportunity
UK Life Sciences Sector http://bit.ly/2llgK92
Biopharmaceutical Sector http://bit.ly/2heuBJO
Medical Technology Sector http://bit.ly/2i9V4I2
Digital Health Sector http://bit.ly/2yQKaPo
Life Sciences Strategy http://bit.ly/2ALUBmP
6. Careers Centre
Key Employers
Research organisations; industry, academic, charities
Representative organisations; learned societies, professional
bodies/ associations, charities
Government/ Administrative; local, national, cross-national,
NGOs, regulatory
Manufacturers; pharma, biotech, medical devices, consumer
goods, food, crops, health/fitness products/ goods
Service providers; consulting, communications, marketing,
health care, digital health, legal, publishing, media, fitness
8. Careers Centre
Science Education
Teaching:
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/
http://graduates.teachfirst.org.uk/
https://www.feadvice.org.uk
https://www.ase.org.uk/home/
Museums/ Associations
http://sciencecentres.org.uk/
http://www.ecsite.eu/
https://vacancies.nmsi.ac.uk/home.aspx
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/
http://www.rigb.org/
Environment / Wildlife
Job Profile http://bit.ly/1Qpzeuq
http://www.environmentjob.co.uk/jobs
e.g. Education & Community Officer
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/jobs/education-
community-officers
e.g. Wildlife Officers with ORCA
http://www.orcaweb.org.uk/about/vacancies
e.g. Project Officer http://bit.ly/2zKk554
STEM Learning Officer http://bit.ly/2yEHOlu
STEM Outreach Assistant, Bradford Uni http://bit.ly/2znjrxv
9. Careers Centre
Communication
• Comms
• Journalism
• Publishing
• Writing
• Media/
Broadcast
• Multimedia
• Research organisations
• Charities
• Learned societies
• Professional bodies
• Comms/ PR Agencies
• Any organisation
concerned with science
10. Careers Centre
Science Communication
Communication
https://scicommjobs.wordpress.com/
http://bit.ly/1K6ipp8
http://medcommsnetworking.com/careersg
uide.pdf
PSCI-COM mailing list http://bit.ly/2z1Vhs9
Blog: http://bit.ly/1GpeFrk
e.g. Associate Medical Writer, Adelphi
http://bit.ly/2igGRK7
Account Executive, Instinctif
http://bit.ly/2hB5LqO
Science Content Officer, MRC
http://bit.ly/2yE79fD
Communications Assistant, Nuffield Dept for
Population Health http://bit.ly/2zHceag
Outreach & Comms Officer, MRC
http://bit.ly/2ihJvQ1
Publishing
Magazines, journals, periodicals, news orgs
Examples:
Internships with Springer
http://bit.ly/2iCx01j
Journal Development/ Editorial Specialist,
Sustainability http://bit.ly/2hrPW1N
Editorial Assistant, Springer Nature
http://bit.ly/2mrO12S
Scientific Copy Editor, Spandidos
Publications http://bit.ly/2AZOQ55
11. Careers Centre
Science Communication: Media/ Broadcast
Careerweb http://bit.ly/1PD5fMv
Look for production companies of relevant shows/ topics
Search for organisations doing what you’re interested in
Documentary Maker Interview http://bit.ly/2hz84dS
Science Writer job profile http://bit.ly/2AGWn94
Getting started in Wildlife Filmmaking http://bit.ly/2igiGeX
Examples:
Researcher, Natural World http://bit.ly/2zZ8zpn
Content Researcher, We The Curious http://bit.ly/2ih66vV
Science Media Centre, interns http://bit.ly/2ihgX99
Content Creator Life Sciences http://bit.ly/2hrsl1k
12. Careers Centre
Policy
• National & European Govt.
• Regulatory bodies
• Learned societies/
Professional bodies/
associations
• Research Councils
• Charities
• Think Tanks
13. Careers Centre
Policy/ Public Affairs
Potentially broad area of work, could involve
some or all of the following: Policy
development, campaigning/ lobbying and
public affairs
Policy Careers Presentation (Soc. Biol)
http://bit.ly/2AGSWze
http://sciencecampaign.org.uk/
http://eurobrussels.com/
http://www.researchresearch.com/
http://bit.ly/2mvXZjQ ( list of Think Tanks)
Examples:
Policy Officer, British Ecological Society
http://bit.ly/2zLDBAa
Science Policy Intern, Royal Society
http://bit.ly/1QyAIoi
Graduate Intern, British Society for
Immunology http://bit.ly/2iVSExb
Civil Service Faststream (Science &
Engineering) http://bit.ly/2eITOvH
Scientific Officer, Food Standards Agency
http://bit.ly/2mt9S9V
Regulatory Information Officer, MHRA
http://bit.ly/2jHIUKT
17. Careers Centre
Legal services/ Regulatory
Patent Attorney
Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
http://www.cipa.org.uk/
Comprehensive guide to the sector
http://bit.ly/2zZSyPM
Careers blog http://bit.ly/16FWOR7
e.g. Trainee Patent Attorney
http://bit.ly/2mtCgZt
Patent Examiner
General overview http://bit.ly/2AN9kib
e.g. Patent Examiner http://bit.ly/1PPn0II
Solicitor/ In house lawyer/ advisor
Life Sciences Practise area http://bit.ly/2mtqL4k
e.g. IP/Life Sciences Solicitor
http://bit.ly/2ijHnqF
e.g. In-house Legal Advisor
http://bit.ly/2hEO6OV
Regulatory
General overview http://bit.ly/2hABE2R
TOPRA http://bit.ly/2igHALo
e.g. Regulatory Affairs Placement
http://bit.ly/2APfMFE
Contracts Analyst, IQVIA http://bit.ly/2iWA2gs
19. Careers Centre
FMCG Food
General Overview http://bit.ly/2zDabVb
R&D in Consumer Goods
http://bit.ly/1Uo3kzB
Profile (Blog) R&D at Unilever
http://bit.ly/1ZSlQSj
Careers in Food & Drink http://bit.ly/1WMIzz4
Institute of Grocery Distribution
http://www.igd.com/
e.g. Nestle Nutrition Scheme
http://bit.ly/1nxvgqB
MDS Graduate Scheme http://bit.ly/2zIlkDy
Manufacturing
Quality Assurance / Control e.g. Nestle QA Graduate Scheme http://bit.ly/1PS4pvI
Supply Chain/ Logistics/ Distribution e.g. RB Supply Chain http://www.rb.com/careers/supply/
Production e.g. Morrisons Manufacturing http://bit.ly/2A1gSRx
Health, Safety & Environment e.g. Centrica HSES Grad Scheme http://bit.ly/2iWNXDj
20. Careers Centre
Pharma/ biotech
• Regulatory Affairs
• Medical affairs
• Medical Liaison/
Scientific Advising
• Sales/ Business
Development
• Marketing /
Communications
• R&D
• Clinical Trials
• Drug Safety
• Health, Safety &
Environment
• Health economics/
outcomes
• Supply chain
• Any other area of
business
21. Careers Centre
Pharmaceutical industry
ABPI – Over 100 career profiles http://bit.ly/1K6EjZb
Hays Life Sciences Insights http://bit.ly/1K6EmnZ
Science recruitment agencies http://bit.ly/1PNwSTf
UK Life Sciences https://www.lifesciences.ukti.gov.uk/
e.g. Graduate programmes at GSK http://bit.ly/23qsCDe
Regulatory Affairs Job Profile http://bit.ly/1PS4Oyf
Pharma/ Medical Sales Job Profile http://bit.ly/1KEEgio
Clinical trials: General overview http://bit.ly/1OSpZAc e.g. http://bit.ly/1nlet9y
Health Economics/ Outcomes Resources http://bit.ly/1RN5g6V
22. Careers Centre
Pharma/ Biotech example jobs
Project Co-ordinator, Sanofi
http://bit.ly/2zFllso
Pharmacovigilance Associate, GW
Pharma http://bit.ly/2hvi1Wi
Medical Information Administrator, GW
http://bit.ly/2yIKAX0
Medical Science Liason, Ashfield
Healthcare http://bit.ly/2jrv0w9
Scientific Support Specialist, ABCAM
http://bit.ly/2zGBAFT
Health Economics Assistant, J&J
http://bit.ly/2hBQqX2
Clinical Trial Assistant, Synteract HCR
http://bit.ly/2yKiI4R
Business Development Manager, LifeArc
http://bit.ly/2ju30rI
Project Manager, Summit Therapeutics
http://bit.ly/2zFO2pb
Immunoassay Product Manager,
biotechne http://bit.ly/2yIjQGb
Scientific Marketing Specialist, Owlstone
Medical http://bit.ly/2im3oFw
23. Careers Centre
Biotech & Medtech
Various industries: Biomedical, Pharma., Food, Agriculture, Medical Technology etc.
Often smaller organisations or start-ups – may offer more varied roles, e.g.
Operations Assistant, St John’s Labs http://bit.ly/2z8iokD and Cambridge
Cognition graduate recruitment http://bit.ly/2z65raX
Resources:
UK Life Sciences https://www.lifesciences.ukti.gov.uk/
Life Sciences Sector report (pharma/ biotech focus) http://bit.ly/2f9gt21
BioIndustry Association http://www.bioindustry.org/home/
BBRSC http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/
UK Biotech http://www.ukbiotech.com/ including sector stats. http://bit.ly/2ewdLCG
List of Biotech companies in UK http://bit.ly/2zK3qRc
ABHI (Med Tech Professional Association) http://www.abhi.org.uk/
25. Careers Centre
Science Consulting
Consultancy services to a range of clients; e.g. pharma, medical,
technology, and others
May involve suggesting new products, communicating between
scientists and other teams, improving processes, applying
scientific principles/ knowledge to help solve problems,
communications/ marketing and more
Examples:
Costello Medical Internship http://bit.ly/23u8gZU
Business & Technology Analyst, Cambridge Consultants http://bit.ly/2hEFmIR
Summer intern, IQVIA http://bit.ly/2zGgHKT
PA Consulting (Life Sciences & Healthcare roles) http://bit.ly/2imrP5Q
Deallus Consulting http://bit.ly/2z6Wlel
Sustainability & Climate Change Consulting http://pwc.to/1SiNqr4
27. Careers Centre
Data, analytics & bioinformatics
“Big data” growing area and intersection
of data and tech
Particular interest in harnessing this in
relation to health
Often will require PG quals in
quantitative discipline or programming
langs. although skills shortages lead to
more flexibility
Resources/ General info
Guardian article Data Science
http://bit.ly/2iYAsCR
Prospects Data Analyst http://bit.ly/2j1uu47
UoL Data Science Soc
https://leedsdatasoc.wordpress.com/
Examples
Data Acquisition Placement, Roche
http://bit.ly/2mwesnY
Clinical BioInformatics http://bit.ly/2ALpDLG
Analyst, Enriched Studies, IQVIA
http://bit.ly/2zLpOYj
NHS Digital Grad Scheme (Healthcare
Analytics) http://bit.ly/2mwDSlp
Research Assistant/ Systematic Reviewer,
Symmetron Ltd http://bit.ly/2iWF1hd
Quantitative Analyst, Neuroscience
http://bit.ly/2iYVXDJ
29. Careers Centre
Healthcare
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles
100s of different roles – some examples
Physician Associate http://bit.ly/1npRcTM
Genomic Counsellor http://bit.ly/2071EBo
Physiotherapist http://bit.ly/1KcrKLT
Public Health http://bit.ly/1KcrXPn
Healthcare Science: Lots of roles, varying degrees of lab work e.g. Cardiac
Science (minimal lab work) http://bit.ly/1ROKofx
NHS Digital (formerly Health & Social Care Information Centre (Leeds)
http://bit.ly/2eymfMo - Health Analytics roles and many others
30. Careers Centre
• Community/ Sport development
• Coaching/ Personal Training
• Sports Psychologist/ Performance
• Sports Analytics
• Sports Sales/ Marketing/ PR/ Business Development
• Sports Management
• Broadcasting/ Journalism
Sport, Health &
Fitness • Nutrition & Dietetics
• Health Education &
promotion
• Campaigning
31. Careers Centre
Health & Fitness Nutrition & Dietetics
Performance Analyst Profile
http://bit.ly/2eeaFFC
Sports Development Officer job profile
http://bit.ly/2eyqI1P
Sports Psychologist http://bit.ly/2AVpIgN
Personal Trainer http://bit.ly/2irOspe
Examples:
Community Inclusion Officer, Gloucester
Rugby http://bit.ly/2AOUwyY
Human Performance Specialist, Boardman
http://bit.ly/2zNPsxx
Client Support Executive, Posturite
http://bit.ly/2zMQnyb
Community Service Development Officer,
Active Thameside http://bit.ly/2mB8xxP
Nutritionist Job Profile
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-
profiles/nutritionist
Dietician Job Profile
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-
profiles/dietitian
Other useful resources
https://www.sustainweb.org/membership/
Health Promotion Job Profile
http://bit.ly/2e4JolQ
Health Coach http://bit.ly/2AOce5v
Health Educator, Ingeus
http://bit.ly/2zPFTMC
32. Careers Centre
Environment
• Ecology
• Environmental Management/
Sustainability
• Environmental Consultant
• Conservation
• Corporate Social
Responsibility
35. Careers Centre
Agriculture/Business Horticulture
Agricultural Consultant Job Profile
http://bit.ly/1SHUqza
British Institute of Agricultural Consultants
http://www.biac.co.uk/home
British Society of Plant Breeders
members list
https://www.bspb.co.uk/members.php
Grow Careers http://bit.ly/23qb0r3
Other Resources
DEFRA http://bit.ly/2f03aTS
NFU https://www.nfuonline.com/home/
Sustain: Alliance for better food & farming
https://www.sustainweb.org/
Farmer’s Weekly http://www.fwi.co.uk/
National Institute of Agricultural Botany
http://www.niab.com/
36. Careers Centre
Agriculture/ Plant related example jobs
Trainee Agronomist, AgroVista
http://bit.ly/2hxqacL
Trainee Agricultural Consultant, Lawrence
Gould http://bit.ly/2zVPZhr
Graduate Trainee (Agricultural Policy),
NFU http://bit.ly/2eUA04X
Supply Chain, Syngenta
http://bit.ly/2A7Y43a
Internship (PhDs) EPSO
http://bit.ly/2zbgEr3
Regional Sales Specialist, Elsom Seeds
http://bit.ly/2ir92WN
MDS Grad Scheme (Food & Fresh
Produce) http://bit.ly/2zIlkDy
Rotational Placement, Frontier
http://bit.ly/2zRvDDE
Example senior/ experienced roles:
Integrated Crop Management Advisor
http://bit.ly/2f4GJKZ
Capacity Development for Agricultural
Innovation, UN http://bit.ly/2zbjxIc
37. Careers Centre
Self employment
Increasing numbers of graduates starting own business
Life Sciences growth sector
Spark – start up advice & support www.leeds.ac.uk/spark
Innovate UK http://bit.ly/1JIboei
38. Careers Centre
Explore: What have others done?
Leeds Network
https://leedsnetwork.leeds.ac.uk/default.aspx
Faculty Destinations
http://www.fbs.leeds.ac.uk/students/careers/destinations.php
LinkedIn Alumni
www.linkedin.com/alumni
39. Careers Centre
Other useful resources
FBS Careers Resources http://bit.ly/1PyPKVG
Professional bodies http://bit.ly/1Uu2At2
UK Science Parks Association http://www.ukspa.org.uk/
Career quiz
http://prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_planner_login.htm
40. Careers Centre
Additional resources library.leeds.ac.uk
Market research reports
• IBIS World: Comprehensive Industry Market Research reports
• Key Note – reports & analysis
• Passport – statistics and analysis
• Business Source Premier & ABI Global – reports and analysis
• Nexis - analysis
Country information
• Global Insight
• Business Source Premier
• ABI Global
• Nexis
42. Careers Centre
Who can help you?
Careers Centre – http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk
Alumni – Leeds Network & LinkedIn
Your network – think EVERYONE!
Friends, family, colleagues, tutors, neighbours, etc.
43. Careers Centre
How we support you
Central Careers Event programme – careers fairs, employer
presentations and skills sessions across campus
Individual advice and guidance: drop-in or appointments with
Faculty Consultant https://mycareer.leeds.ac.uk
Support with career choice, further study, applications, mock
interviews, assessment centres etc.
Business start-up support
http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk/info/15/starting_a_business_spark
Vacancies (internship & graduate) –
https://mycareer.leeds.ac.uk
School and career-specific careers information
http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk/info/18/where_might_your_degree_lead
44. Careers Centre
General advice on finding opportunities
Don’t restrict yourself to searching only for specific, suitable
vacancies
Find companies, explore sectors
Follow specific organisations/ companies e.g. on LinkedIn/ other
social to stay abreast of developments, news and opportunities
Look out for – and attend – relevant events
Make speculative approaches
Be pro-active!
46. Careers Centre
Be flexible
Quickest route from A-B isn’t always in a straight line
Create opportunities, seek mentoring
Be interested and interesting
Let people know you are looking
Be open to taking other opportunities
47. Careers Centre
Starting points……
What interests you about science?
What else are you interested in?
How ‘involved’ – or not – do you want to be?
What things do you enjoy doing?
What sort of organisation do you want to work in?
What are your values?
Understanding of the job market including current and future trends will not only enable you to identify areas/ roles in which you might be interested, but will also enable you to position yourself effectively to compete for roles, or approach employers directly;
e.g. if there are identified/ predicated skills shortages in your area of interest, then you can work on developing those which will allow you to present yourself to a prospective employer as someone who can help solve some of their challenges.
If you are interested in working in the life sciences there is good news as outlined above
All of this means that generally speaking, growth and/or demand is expected in these areas (as well as others)
As growing (and aging) populations put increased pressure on healthcare, food industry and natural resources, these industries need innovation and new approaches in order to meet demand or find alternative solutions. Give some e.g.s re food development, technology in healthcare etc.
Science Museum by wetwebwork on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wetwebwork/2402589773/
Licensed under CC BY 2.0
With A Megaphone By A Wall by Garry Knight on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/5542172347
Image licensed under CC BY 2.0
Potentially broad area of work, could involve some or all of the following: Policy development, campaigning/ lobbying and public affairs
Obviously BREXIT potentially has massive impact on this so a lot of work to be done in this area in the next few years.
Houses of Parliament (Night) by Megan Trace on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/megantrace/12253515706
Image licensed under CC BY NC 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/
Don’t confuse “administration” in this context as basic office work (although junior roles in this area may involve a lot of this). Roles classed as administrative can go to very senior levels in these sorts of organisations
University of Leeds, Parkison Building by Adam Simmons on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mr-numb/4278795884/
Licensed under CC BY NC SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
Partnership Development Manager (Medical Sciences) East Anglia http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BFJ049/partnership-development-manager-fms/
IN-PART University Liason Officer https://www.big.uk.com/jobs/5279821
Golden Lady Justice, Bruges, Belgium by Emmanuel Huybrechts on Flickr
Licensed under CC BY 2.0
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ensh/6204837462/
C2 by Jimmy Hilario on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/stitch/54487746
Licensed under CC BY NC ND
https://pixabay.com/en/addiction-antibiotic-capsule-care-71538/
Image licensed under CC0 Public domain
As an e.g. GSK has 16 different graduate programmes
R&D roles won’t necessarily be all lab based. In some organisations you will have a lot of lab-time at junior level, but others, e.g. in FMCG are often more project management than lab-based; e.g. develop a new deodorant and oversee the whole process so some lab time but also packaging, getting it to market, liasing with teams across the business etc.
Often (but not always!) small, or start-ups which refer to themselves as “biotechs”; these kinds of organisations may recruit people in more flexible/ cross functional roles.
Will often be opportunities in product management, project management, business development and sales type roles.
Business Team by Penn State on Flickr
Licensed under CC BY NC ND
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pennstatelive/10294104734/
Data visualisation – 14 by Jam Cheng on Flikr https://www.flickr.com/photos/jammind/4275034683/
CC BY-NC 2.0
STP – roles vary – some very lab-base, others hardly any lab work
100s of other roles in Healthcare where your scientific background may be advantageous. Many will require further study
Public Health – e.g. epidemiology
Nutrition/ Dietetics
Save the World!! By pavel ahmed on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/pavelahmed/4770270959
Image licensed under CC BY 2.0
From the farm, Gotland, Sweden by Berit Watkin on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/ben124/6197462414/
Licensed under CC BY 2.0
Agri- business industry: Agronomist, Technical Roles
Horticultural sector: Technical/ consultancy roles where scientific background may be valued/ required
Animal nutrition
Google Maps directions: Japan to China by Richard Masoner
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bike/5126228833
Image licensed under CC BY SA