Scientific communication

Science communication can be defined as “the practice of informing, raising awareness of science-related topics, and getting involved with audiences that include, at least in part, people from outside the science community” (Scienceeurope.org).

It encompasses several different areas from public engagement to working in commercial settings, including:

  • Medical writing, where your medical/science based subject knowledge enables you to take research data and produce reports, posters, presentations or marketing material. Some may specialise in specific areas of research.
  • Client services, where your role is about developing and maintaining the company's existing relationships with a client or group of clients, so that they will continue using the company for business (account management). You may also be involved with requirements gathering, project coordination and ensuring that clients’ needs are met.
  • Technical writing, where you’d write with precision to a ‘house style’ about products and services, and how they work.
  • Science journalism, where you’d have a broad view of science and share this with a general audience.
  • Science publishing, where you are involved with the editing and commissioning of scientific books, journals and periodicals.
  • Public engagement, where you communicate science-related topics to the public e.g. as astrophysics (Jodrell Bank) or microbiology (Society for General Microbiology) usually working on behalf of a museum, learned society or research organisation such as a university.
  • Science policy, where you help to inform decision making and develop government science policy, or work to generate support for scientific research to influence policy decisions.

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Science writing and medical communications

Medical communications or ‘med comms’ agencies produce scientifically accurate and engaging content to promote, educate, and inform healthcare professionals, patients, and stakeholders about pharmaceutical products and innovations. They develop various materials, from conference presentations, educational content for doctors, patient-friendly websites, and marketing campaigns, all grounded in clinical data and aligned with strict regulatory standards. Agencies may also do work in areas like medical affairs, market access, advertising and PR. Many medical writers work for these agencies, alongside client services staff. Graduates typically join an agency as a trainee medical writer, account executive or research executive.

Technical writers are mainly employed directly by pharmaceutical or similar companies to write about their products. Science journalists often work freelance and produce articles for different publications, although they could be employed by a large newspaper or specialist magazine/journal (find out more about self-employment).

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Science policy

Science policy experts provide the crucial link between science and decision making and need an understanding of science, politics and economics. They may work for organisations who make policy decisions or for organisations who seek to influence them. Entry routes for graduates include the Civil Service Fast Stream which recruits science graduates into their science and engineering programmes. Science graduates are also recruited by specific government departments such as DEFRA, Environment Agency, and the NHS, as well as NGOs, scientific bodies, universities, charities and think tanks.

Public engagement and outreach

As well as teaching, there are opportunities in museums and with learned societies and charities like the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK.

Use the job profiles below to find out about skills, entry routes and experience

Building skills and experience

Experience of writing for a variety of audiences outside of an academic setting is the key to getting on in science writing. It demonstrates to employers that you have enthusiasm for and commitment to science writing as a career. This might be in print publications but also online or on social media platforms.

For more commercial roles, relevant work experience, particularly an industrial placement year, will make your application stand out. Some science courses offer students the opportunity to undertake a business-based placement year. If lab work really isn’t for you this could be an option, though a year working in a lab would be beneficial too.

There are specialist master’s courses for those wanting to work in science communication, some focused on journalism, others on publishing and increasingly those offering training in digital media. Equally, a specialist research Master’s or PhD can be beneficial. Research courses carefully to ensure they will equip you for your chosen career area, look for links to industry and ask about the destination of previous graduates.

Use the job profiles above to check which skills are normally needed for the roles you are interested in.

Use our transferable skills pages to explore ways to gain the top skills employers are looking for

  • Write for a blog or start your own (WordPress is free), create a podcast or social media account to create content about any science-related topic you are interested in.
  • Write for the University newspaper, e.g. The Mancunion, or other publication.
  • Get involved in writing publicity materials for a charity event or volunteering through Volunteer Hub.
  • Join societies such as Volunteering Outreach In Science and Engineering to build your network and access different outreach opportunities.
  • Enter writing competitions - check learned society websites.
  • Consider doing an internship or a placement. Some organisations offer summer internships (e.g. marketing and sales roles in pharmaceutical and FMCG companies). Look for these jobs on CareerConnect and attend careers fairs.
  • Become a STEM Ambassador. This will help you build experience in science outreach and communication skills.
  • Look out for any science festivals, conferences or workshops. They often look for volunteers to help them organise the events. They can be great opportunities to build professional network and improve organisational skills.
  • Consider approaching any charities, blogs, newspapers or organisations you are interested in yourself by building a speculative application.
  • Any experience where you are practicing your communication skills will be useful. This includes course presentations, projects (e.g. e-learning projects), student societies (promoting them and/or if in relevant areas), volunteering (fundraising = persuasion), creating promotional materials or maintaining websites/social media accounts, participation in public engagement events.
  • Look out for local opportunities organised by the University, museums, zoos or the city council seeking to engage children or the public in science. Public engagement | Social responsibility | The University of Manchester
  • The Biochemical Society funds 6-week summer vacation scholarships for undergraduate students in biochemistry and related subjects in 'scientific publishing' and in 'science communication and public engagement'. Deadline for applications in early spring (7 April in 2025).

Finding and applying for jobs

There are clusters of science communication agencies in the North West around existing pharmaceutical sites (Macclesfield, Alderley Edge) and in the city centre. Many have recruited Manchester graduates and advertise vacancies on CareerConnect. They include McCann Health, Havas Lynx, Helios Global, Costello Medical and Inizio Engage. Go directly to company websites to see if vacancies are live or if they accept speculative applications. LinkedIn and Indeed will also advertise vacancies – just ensure you use a variety of search terms as roles aren’t always called the same thing!

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Further resources

Science writing and media
Science Policy

Next steps

When planning your next steps, you may have additional questions or want to explore certain aspects in more detail: