Huge progress has been made in recent years, and new technologies have been introduced that have changed the way we live our lives. With these advances it's been possible to develop drugs to help fight diseases and improve the lives of millions of people.

It's not just people that you can help save. The world is facing a sustained climate challenge and scientists are fighting this. They're exploring the far reaches of the universe and debating whether we'll ever make contact with alien life.

N Written by Navdeep

People also searched for

Find out more

FAQs
Jobs by industry
Popular companies

FAQs

Skills required for a career in the Science & pharmaceuticals industry

Scientific knowledge is the most essential part of your skillset in this industry, and the specifics of this will vary hugely across the sectors, from micro biology to astrophysics, via a multitude of areas in between.

Typical Science & pharmaceuticals career progression routes

There are numerous job openings in every part of the industry. People with strong scientific skills are in high demand, and with scientific innovation racing forward, it's likely there will be more roles that need filling.

STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths) companies in general find themselves with a skills gap due to the industry's rapid pace of change. This is a perfect opportunity for ambitious science graduates, to upskill, plug the gap, and make themselves invaluable to the organisations that are crying out for scientific talent.

Typical Career Development for the Science & pharmaceuticals industry

To really make an impact in the sciences you might need to gain more qualifications after your undergraduate degree. Funding for PhDs in the sciences are relatively easy to come by when compared to other subjects. Speak to your university department find out more about available opportunities.

If you find a graduate scheme in an area that appeals to you and doesn't require further studying, you will immediately be on a clear path that will lay out your immediate goals and what you need to do to achieve them and progress.

How much do Science & pharmaceuticals professionals get paid?

Because of the technical skills they require, the sciences are able to offer relatively good wages. The average salary in the industry is just over £34,000.

Here are average salaries for some jobs in the industry, according to Payscale:

Analytical chemist: £22,518
Biologist: £25,426
Biochemist: £29,331
Chemist: £25,187
Clinical pharmacist: £36,144
Clinical laboratory scientist: £29,225
Ecologist: £21,625
Senior ecologist: £30,603
Food technologist: £25,572
Forensic scientist: £26,118
Geophysicist: £38,303
Geologist: £35,060
Laboratory technician: £18,496
Materials scientist: £29,905
Product development scientist: £25,662
Medicinal chemist: £33,500
Medical physicist: £35,954
Microbiologist: £22,561
Physicist: £34,928
Pharmacist: £34,644
Research scientist: £29,778

What qualifications do I need for a Science & pharmaceuticals career

It helps to have a degree in a scientific subject like chemistry, biology or physics. Overall though, there's such a wide range of opportunity for which different degrees are brilliant entry points.

Degrees such as cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, as well as non scientific degrees such as business/management, IT or mathematics could also be useful.

Whilst it might seem obvious that you need a degree in biology to work in that field, this might not be the case. The sciences are becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, meaning your degree may be suitable for a complimentary area even if it isn't directly related. You may need to complete a technical skills course to top up your knowledge, but this will depend on the specific role.

How to get there

It's worth taking time to explore your options. Many of those with undergraduate degrees in the sciences will go on to lab work, whilst others specialise further with a masters, or a doctoral qualification that will allow them to go on to conduct scientific research.

Many employers offer specific entry schemes for graduates with fast-track career progression. The application criteria and details of the scheme will depend on the individual employer.

It's important to demonstrate your practical skills as well as your scientific knowledge.. Make sure you're clear about the skills that you hold and explain how they're useful.

A scheme to consider is the NHS' Scientist Training Programme. It's a three-year training programme that includes work-based and academic learning. It includes a part-time masters in your chosen specialism. The scheme aims to train the very best people to become clinical scientists.

Science & pharmaceuticals industry bodies

British Science Association
Nature - International Journal of Science
UK Science Festivals Network
Campaign for Science and Engineering
Science Council
UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres
Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI)
UK Bioindustry Association
UK Space
Life Science Industry
Institute of Physics
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
NHS Scientist Training Programme

Search jobs by job sector

Leading graduate Employers

See all