Graduate jobs in science and pharmaceuticals

Science and pharmaceutical careers span diverse settings including hospitals, factories, laboratories, offices, and community environments. Discover the career path that is right for you

Analytical chemist

You'll use cutting-edge tools like chromatography and spectroscopy to investigate the chemical composition of substances. Work includes:

• analysing life-saving drugs
• protecting the environment from pollutants
• solving crimes by examining forensic evidence.

This is a challenging and rewarding career path, with starting salaries typically ranging from £22,000 to £34,000, but salaries may be higher if you have a PhD.

Gain an insight into the role of an analytical chemist.

Animal technician

You'll care for animals used in scientific and medical research, such as rats and mice, but other species such as fish, primates, and dogs, are also used and the different requirements of each animal mean that working environments vary.

You don't need a degree or HND, as many employers are more concerned with your interest in animal care. However, these degrees may prove useful:

• animal behaviour/management
• biology
• toxicology.

Trainees earn £14,000 to £17,000, while qualified technicians with experience can take home a salary of £19,000 to £28,000.

Find out more about animal technician salaries.

Astronomer

This field delves far deeper than admiring the night sky - astronomy is a rigorous scientific field dedicated to understanding the origin, evolution, and composition of the universe.

There are two types of astronomy - observational, where you use telescopes and cameras to look at stars and galaxies, or theoretical, where you use maths and computer models to explain observations and predictions.

You'll need to have or be working towards a PhD to secure a position and strong physics, mathematics, statistics, computer programming, research and analysis skills are essential.

Astronomers with a PhD working in a postdoctoral position usually earn £35,000 to £46,000.

Read up on what it's like to be an astronomer.

Biomedical scientist

When working as a biomedical scientist, day-to-day tasks could include:

• analysing tissue samples and fluids using advanced laboratory techniques.
• helping doctors diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and AIDS.
• performing critical tests for emergency blood transfusions.
• evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, and contributing to ongoing medical research.

In the NHS, starting salaries range from £25,655 to £31,534 (Band 5).

You'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a biomedical scientist in the UK.

Learn more about the qualifications you need to become a biomedical scientist.

Clinical scientist jobs

Roles in clinical science are diverse, allowing you to specialise in areas like audiology, immunology, haematology, and many more. With a strong scientific background and a passion for healthcare, a career in clinical science offers endless possibilities to make a real difference in people's lives.

Trainee clinical scientists working for the NHS are usually employed at Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay rates, which starts at £35,392.

Discover detailed information on clinical science roles:

• Clinical scientist, audiology
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Clinical scientist, cardiac science
• Clinical scientist, embryology
• Clinical scientist, genomics
• Clinical science, haematology
• Clinical scientist, histocompatibility and immunogenetics
• Clinical scientist, immunology
• Clinical science, medical physics
• Clinical science, physiological sciences

Community pharmacist

As a crucial member of the healthcare team, you'll play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the right medication.  Your responsibilities will include:

• dispensing and distributing medication accurately and safely
• providing guidance to patients on their medications and medical devices
• conducting medication reviews and identifying potential drug interactions
• offering over-the-counter medications and educating the public on their safe use.

Salaries for pre-registration trainees range from £16,000 to over £20,000. Starting salaries for community pharmacists are in the region of £30,000 to £35,000, depending on location.

Learn more about the pharmacy courses and the skills you'll need to become a community pharmacist.

Crime scene investigator

As a crime scene investigator (CSI), you'll play a vital role in collecting and preserving evidence, acting as the bridge between the physical scene and the courtroom. You're also responsible for processing and categorising evidence, so it can be used in criminal investigations.

Starting salaries range from £16,000 to £26,000.

Find out what to expect from a job as a crime scene investigator.

Food technologist

You will ensure the safe, legal, and accurate production of food products by developing manufacturing processes and recipes for food and beverage items.

Additionally, you'll be tasked with reformulating foods to produce fat-free alternatives and exploring both established and newly-discovered ingredients to innovate and create new recipes.

You'll benefit from having a food-related degree such as:

• food, nutrition and health
• food safety and quality management
• food science/technology.

When starting out expect to earn £20,000 to £26,000.

Take a look at what you can earn as a food technologist.

Forensic scientist

You'll provide scientific evidence for either prosecuting or defending parties involved in criminal and civil investigations. This will involve searching for and examining contact trace materials, including blood, hairs, and clothing fibres, to gather pertinent information and contribute to the resolution of cases.

To work as a forensic scientist you'll need either a degree in a scientific subject, such as biological sciences or chemistry, or a degree in forensic science.

Salaries for forensic scientists start at £20,000.

Discover more about working a forensic scientist.

Medical science liaison

Often referred to as an MSL, you will serve as the company's authority on pharmaceuticals, acting as a link between clinicians, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry. Your primary responsibility will be to provide clinicians with precise information regarding specific drugs, allowing them to make informed decisions about their use.

Typically assigned to a specific area, you will specialise in a particular drug, medical device, or therapeutic area, providing expertise and support.

Starting salaries are impressive and typically start at around £50,000.

Find out more about the salary and progression opportunities of a medical science liaison.

Medicinal chemist

You'll be at the forefront of discovering new drugs, contributing to the development of medicines, and innovating the design of pharmaceutical molecules to combat specific diseases or conditions.

As a medicinal chemist, you may be identified by various job titles, including synthetic organic chemist, (graduate) scientist, or research chemist.

To pursue a career as a medicinal chemist, you'll need a degree-level qualification in chemistry and a proficient understanding of synthetic and organic chemistry.

Starting salaries fall between £22,750 and £33,000.

Take a look at the responsibilities of a medicinal chemist.

Meteorologist

You will forecast the weather and delve into the underlying causes of weather patterns by analysing data collected from land, sea, and the upper atmosphere.

Salaries for trainee meteorologists are usually in the region of £26,950. After completing placements at the Met Office, you can expect to earn around £25,600, while experienced meteorologists take home £36,000 to £42,000.

Learn more about the role of meteorologists and discover why you should study meteorology.

Microbiologist

Microbiologists strive to address challenges impacting health, the environment, climate, and food security. Their expertise enables them to study the prevention, diagnosis, and management of infections and diseases, guaranteeing food safety, and innovating sustainable technologies.

You'll need a good honours degree in a relevant subject such as:

• applied biology
• biomedical sciences
• molecular biology.

If you work for the NHS, you'll be employed at Band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay rates, which start at £35,392.

Read up on what to expect as a microbiologist.

Nanotechnologist

Their work includes the innovation of new materials, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic tools. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field, combining physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and computer science to advance research and development efforts.

To enter into research in nanotechnology you'll need a good honours degree as well as either a research-based MSc or PhD. Once you've completed your PhD you can earn £25,000 to £35,000 in a research role.

Take a look at the skills you'll need as a nanotechnologist.

Pharmacologist

Dedicated to unravelling the mechanisms of medicinal action, your role will involve conducting extensive research to facilitate the discovery and development of drugs.

This includes investigating the intricate interactions between drugs and biological systems, as well as conducting in vitro and in vivo studies to forecast potential human responses to various medications.

You'll need a scientific degree in pharmacology or a related subject such as:

• biology
• chemistry
• toxicology.

An MSc or PhD in pharmacology or a related subject is advantageous. Salaries for postdoctoral positions range from £28,000 to £40,000.

Learn more about what you could earn as a pharmacologist or see careers in pharmaceuticals from The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Research science jobs

As a research scientist, you'll be at the forefront of scientific investigation, tasked with planning, leading, and executing experiments across different fields:

• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Research scientist (maths)
• Research scientist (medical)
• Research scientist (physical sciences)
• Science writing, education and outreach.

Science writing, education and outreach

Putting your scientific knowledge to use as a secondary school teacher,Ìýfurther education teacherÌý´Ç°ùÌýhigher education lecturer involves planning and delivering lessons as well as observing, recording and assessing pupils progress. You'll need to keep up to date with developments in your field and changing teaching methods.

Job opportunities also exist in science outreach where you could work somewhere like the Science Museum as a museum education officer developing and delivering high-quality and dynamic programmes of learning and participation for classes, groups or individuals.

As a science writer, your responsibilities include researching, composing, and editing scientific content for business publications, technical journals, and mainstream media, to inform and engage audiences.

Learn more about the role of a science writer and discover 10 alternative science careers.

Teaching laboratory technician

Working in educational settings, your role involves providing essential support to science teachers, lecturers, and students.

If employed in schools and colleges you could earn £17,000 to £22,000. Senior technicians take home between £23,000 and £26,000.

Discover more about the role of a teaching laboratory technician and read about how to become a lab technician.

Toxicologist

Your responsibilities encompass the identification, monitoring, and evaluation of the effects of toxic materials, chemicals, potential pharmaceuticals, and radiation on both the environment and the health of humans and animals. This involves conducting comprehensive laboratory and field studies to gather data and assess impacts.

Relevant courses include:

• food, crop, soil and environmental sciences
• forensic, chemical and physical sciences
• medical and veterinary sciences.

Starting salaries fall between £20,000 and £30,000.

Take a look at what you could earn as a toxicologist.

Other science and pharmaceutical jobs

• clinical research associate
• clothing/textile technologist
• colour technologist
• environmental health practitioner
• hospital pharmacist
• metallurgist
• neuroscientist
• oceanographer
• palaeontologist
• plant breeder/geneticist
• product/process development scientist
• scientific laboratory technician
• water quality scientist

Find out more

• Gain an overview of the science and pharmaceuticals sector.