The document outlines various non lab-based career options for life science graduates, presented in a lecture format from November 2017. It highlights trends and key sectors in the life sciences field, along with potential employers and examples of job opportunities across various industries including education, communication, policy, administration, and consulting. Additionally, it provides links to further resources and career profiles for interested individuals.

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

7. Careers Centre
Education
• Teaching
• Museums
• Learned Societies/
Associations
• Charities

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

14. Careers Centre
Administration
• Universities
• Research Councils
• Learned Societies
• Charities
• Industrial Research
• Clinical Trials

15. Careers Centre
Science Administration/ Management
Careers in Science Administration (Kent
Uni Careers) http://bit.ly/2mpGRvX
Sangar Institute outline of their
Operations team is useful
http://bit.ly/2zCqWQp
Research Councils http://bit.ly/2zHGiCz
Technology/ Knowledge Transfer
https://www.ktn-uk.co.uk/
Universities
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/jobs/administrative
Examples:
 Research Administration Assistant, RVC
http://bit.ly/2zCmqRQ
 Wellcome Trust Graduate Scheme
http://bit.ly/1PyQqKT
 Training Impact Co-ordinator Cambridge
Uni http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/15618/
 Events & Research Co-ordinator, SGL
http://bit.ly/2iWFsYC
 Knowledge Exchange Co-ordinator,
Cranfield Uni http://bit.ly/2hAmnPF
 Engagement & Impact Officer, Physiological
Society http://bit.ly/2z2ILsm
 Cetaceans Strandings Officer, NHM
http://bit.ly/2jt453c

16. Careers Centre
Legal
Services
• Patent Attorney
• Patent Examiner
• Intellectual
Property
• Solicitor or ‘in-
house’ lawyer
• Regulatory
affairs

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

18. Careers Centre
FMCG Food
FMCG
Food
&
Drink
• Sales
• Marketing /
Communications
• R&D
• Health, Safety
& Environment
• Quality
• Production
• Nutrition

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/

24. Careers Centre
Consulting
• Niche firms
• Biotech
• Multi-disciplinary
Consultancies

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

26. Careers Centre
Data
&
Informatics
• Bioinformatics
• Data science
• Digital health
• Medical
technologies
• Health Economic
& outcomes

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

28. Careers Centre

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

33. Careers Centre
Environment/ Sustainability
 CSR – Overview http://bit.ly/1QBTQ4N
 Ecology – Job profile http://bit.ly/1SJtn6z; Careers in Ecology/ Environmental
Management http://bit.ly/1JE73IP
 Conservation – Overview http://bit.ly/1QBTZ8h; Nature Conservation Job Profile
http://bit.ly/20499cm
 Careerweb: Conservation & Environmental Protection http://bit.ly/1SJuJhP
 Careerweb: School of Environment resources http://bit.ly/1OYwRQV
Landscape Farming & Woodland Advisor, Butterfly Conservation http://bit.ly/2hGAx1I
Sustainability & Climate Change Consulting http://pwc.to/1SiNqr4
Trust Development Officer, WWRT http://bit.ly/2AWkrWj
Evaluation Support Officer, Sustrans http://bit.ly/2j1LqYl
Assistant Sustainability Co-ordinaor, Galliford Try http://bit.ly/2hzNlmN

34. Careers Centre
Land-based
• Agriculture
• Agri-business
• Horticulture
• Land
management

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

41. Who

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!

45. Be
flexible

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?

48. Careers Centre
Feedback
Please complete the brief survey (5 questions) at
https://leeds.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/non-lab-based-2017 to
improve future lectures

49. Careers Centre

50. Careers Centre Image credits/ licensing
 Science Museum by wetwebwork http://bit.ly/1UuNjIb CC BY 2.0
 With A Megaphone By A Wall by Garry Knight http://bit.ly/1P1k3oB CC BY 2.0
 Houses of Parliament (Night) by Megan Trace http://bit.ly/1P1k7VC CC BY NC 2.0
 University of Leeds, Parkinson Building by Adam Simmons http://bit.ly/1OTPsvk CC BY NC SA 2.0
 Golden Lady Justice, Bruges, Belgium by Emmanuel Huybrechts http://bit.ly/1lZPS99 CC BY 2.0
 C2 by Jimmy Hilario http://bit.ly/1SnC9pm CC BY NC ND 2.0
 Pills http://bit.ly/1OTPJyo C0 public domain
 Business Team by Penn State http://bit.ly/1nrRsSb CC BY NC ND 2.0
 Health Careers website http://bit.ly/1ZY6v2l © NHS 2015
 Data Visualisation – 14 by Jam Zhang http://bit.ly/2zO91pq CC BY NC 2.0
 Sports by 7ty9 http://bit.ly/2dUOyWh CC BY NC 2.0
 Save the World!! By Pavel Ahmed http://bit.ly/1QJSuot CC BY 2.0
 From the farm, Gotland, Sweden by Berit Watkin http://bit.ly/1PXw9iF CC BY 2.0
 Beauty by the Geeks website http://bit.ly/1NF0MaK © Beauty by the Geeks 2015
 Careers Centre, University of Leeds by Jessica Henderson http://bit.ly/1SNtlum CC BY2.0
 Google Maps directions: Japan to China by Richard Masoner http://bit.ly/1VuS5FD CC BY SA