Helping you find a career in the biosciences industry
Biosciences is a broad category of potential career options including: continued academic/scientific research, ecology, toxicology, microbiology and positions within the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors.
The common thread to all careers in Biosciences is that they all require the application of scientific principles to understand and solve biological challenges or identify opportunities for development.
Some example Biosciences careers include:
- A Toxicologist will conduct research into the impact of toxic materials on humans, animals and the environment, typically within a laboratory or field context. Toxicologists might work in a Clinical, Regulatory, Industrial or Pharmaceutical organisation.
- A Plant Geneticist will work to identify and breed different strands of plant species with specific traits, for example drought or pest resistance. A Plant Geneticist might work for a business in the agricultural sector.
- A Microbiologist might work within the Pharmaceutical, Medical or Regulatory sector, conducting research into microorganisms in a laboratory context, working to understand their impact on health and disease, agriculture and food safety.
- A Geneticist will conduct research into the human genome and principles of heredity. A Geneticist might work in the private sector - for instance in Pharmaceuticals, or might work in a Medical context, or in an academic research position.
- A Life Sciences Research Scientist might work in an academic scientific context, or in the public or private sectors, conducting research into a number of different areas connected with Biosciences, depending on the organisations specific needs.
Despite there being such a variety of positions and potential employers available, most careers in Biosciences will require you to work in laboratories and often in the field, conducting experiments and analysing their results, interpreting statistical data and preparing reports into your findings.
Biosciences Research conducted in the Pharmaceuticals sector will usually involve developing new products or understanding specific disease pathologies. Most Biosciences research conducted in the Agricultural sector will entail identifying specific strains of different plant species to ensure that they are resistant to specific biological or toxicological threats, as well as safe for human and animal consumption.