Graduate Careers in the Biological Sciences
New developments in our understanding living systems make the biological sciences one of the most exciting areas of science to work in. There has never been a better time to pursue a graduate career in the biological sciences. The UK biotechnology sector is currently (2006) the largest in Europe, second only to the US in the world, and the fasted growing industries in the UK. Graduate careers in the biological sciences are extremely popular; there are currently around 450 dedicated biotechnology businesses, employing around 22,000, together with a thriving research base in UK universities and research institutes. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the primary funder for the UK of basic research in the biological sciences, investing over £300M per year in the UK biosciences community, and supporting around 5,000 scientists and 2,000 postgraduate research students. Read on to discover what a graduate career in the biological sciences can offer you.
What sort of vacancies are open to you?
There are many opportunities for graduates in the biotechnology sector - for example, in the pharmaceutical sector there is a key role for scientists involved in the making of new potential drug compounds, or biologists involved in testing and screening new chemicals for their therapeutic effects. Underpinning the success of the UK in biotechnology is, however, the ground-breaking research and new knowledge being produced by research scientists. The University sector represents the UK's primary way of undertaking basic science research, but there are also independent research organisations, such as BBSRC's Institutes, which recruit scientists and science graduates at all levels. If you are aiming to become a lead researcher, developing your own research agenda and ideas, you will normally need to take a PhD after your first degree - it is the PhD which comprises your training in becoming an independent researcher. The BBSRC provides funding for around 600 students per year to study for a PhD, and we provide this funding to University departments themselves, and they recruit the students. If you are interested, therefore, in exploring a career in bioscience research, the best thing to do is to start talking to your lecturers about the opportunities available.
What is a PhD exactly? 
Most research scientists begin their research career by working for a PhD in a research team that is led by an established researcher. Typically students will choose an area of research that particularly appeals to them and then apply for advertised studentships in teams working in that topic. During their PhD training (3-4 years) the student becomes increasingly skilled and independent as a researcher and also receives more general training and career development, for example, in innovation and business skills, and in basic management and communication. Typically during a PhD, a student learns experimental techniques and how to plan, record and publish their findings. In order for the PhD degree to be awarded on the basis of a student’s written thesis, the student must demonstrate a personal and original contribution to knowledge in their field of study.
What skills will you need for a career in biotechnology and biological science?
If you are interested in a graduate career in bioscience, then the one key skill to bear in mind is your mathematics. For many years biology has been a quite 'descriptive' science - for example, we have been able to describe in quite some detail the chemical mechanisms underpinning cell functions. However, new technology is increasingly moving us towards a more 'predictive' biology - in other words, being able to use data about the chemical pathways of key molecules and their structure to be able to make quantitative and mathematical models of what is going on, and use them to produce concrete predictions for testing. BBSRC sees the move to a more quantitative and predictive biology as its vision for the future of biosciences, and it is vital that we see biological science students develop the strong mathematical and numerical skills that this will need. In a word - if you are interested in a career in bioscience, keep brushing up your maths!
So what is a career as a bioscience research scientist actually like?
Research scientists come in many different shapes and sizes – and work in a wide variety of organisations: in university departments; in specialist research institutes and centres; in Government agencies; and in industry. They all share a passion for developing and testing ideas through science and seeing these ideas lead to new knowledge and new technologies and products. However, the detailed day-to-day work of research scientists varies tremendously depending on the area of science, the nature of the research organisation and the particular interests and career stage of the researcher. Typical elements include: planning and conducting experiments in laboratories, or field trials or in virtual laboratories on computers; analysing the data and publishing results in scientific journals and at national and international science conferences; teaching and training young scientists; setting up new laboratories and research teams and applying for grant funding to support them; and presenting research findings to company management and potential investors, to funding organisations or to users of the research results. Research is both an individualistic and team activity. It’s about thinking creatively about how the world works, having your own ideas and being able to test them and communicating them to other scientists.
Where can I find out more?
The following websites will be useful:
www.bbsrc.ac.uk The BBSRC website: for information on Research Institutes funded by BBSRC and the Universities which hold BBSRC funding for PhD studentships
www.abpi.org.uk/ The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has plenty of information on training and careers.
www.bsf.ac.uk/careers.htm The Bioscience Federation is the umbrella body for professional societies in the biosciences and provides a useful list of links to further resources.
Graduate careers in the biological sciences offer you the opportunity to become top of your field if you are a talented and enthusiastic graduate. Why not build on the skills and knowledge gained in your undergraduate studies to create a successful and interesting career – pursue a graduate career in the biological sciences.
Contributed by:
Dr Ian Lyne
Head of Postgraduate Training and Research Career Development, BBSRC
Email: postgrad.studentships@bbsrc.ac.uk
