Scientific services

Work in scientific services could interest you if you enjoy applying practical problem solving, analytical and teamwork skills in challenging commercial or public sector environments. Some roles are essentially scientific consultancy. Your client might be a pharmaceutical company, a police force, or a hospital clinician. For example in the Pharmaceutical industry companies may outsource (or insource) research and other activities such as areas of the drug development cycle to contract research organisations and specialist consultancies.

Scientific consultancy

Scientific consultants offer scientific advice and problem solving to other science organisations. Specialist scientific consultancies exist such as BMT group but large, generalist consultancy firms often have a science department e.g. PA consulting. You’ll also find ‘niche’ consultancies who offer specialist services in specific technical areas. Cambridge Consultants is an example of a ‘niche’ consultancy working in product development and technology. Public sector organisations may also run part of their organisation as a private scientific consultancy; an example being the Met Office. There are also specialist consultancies supporting the pharmaceutical sector, in areas like market access, health economics and regulatory affairs. See also Scientific Communication and Scientific Information and data.

Related sectors

Getting in and getting experience

Roles in scientific services combine technical expertise and the ability to apply this to the needs of a client. Gaining relevant work experience that demonstrates your commitment to a technical discipline will put at you at an advantage. Examples of relevant experience include:

  • Undertaking an industrial placement year (valued highly by employers)
  • Technical final year project
  • Internship in a technical/scientific role in vacation time – apply for advertised work experience but also make direct “speculative approached to organisations that interest you
  • Shadowing someone in the role

The larger employers offer annual graduate recruitment programmes. Smaller and ‘niche’ scientific employers are more likely to advertise as vacancies arise.

Recruitment agencies are increasingly active in graduate recruitment. Some Manchester graduates have gained places on graduate programmes with science companies after a temporary contract found via an agency. Use agency search sites to find relevant agencies in your area.

Vacancies and further resources

Commercialisation of science

Patents

Patent work requires a solid scientific background and attention to detail. You will examine new inventions in order to assess whether they can be patented, either as a patent attorney working on the behalf of the inventor or as a patent examiner on the behalf of the UK’s Intellectual Property Office or European Patent Office. Roles may be linked to a specific discipline area (e.g. physics) or cover all science discoveries. Entry to patent law may be as a patent examiner or a patent attorney traineeship which incorporates on the job training and notoriously tough Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys exams. Some firms look favourably on applicants with a PhD and those with proficiency in French and German. Language skills are essential for European patent examiner roles: you must be fluent in English, French or German and have the ability to understand the other two.

Which role is for you: patent examiner or patent attorney?

More information:

CareerConnect is a good place to look for patents vacancies, as well as IP Careers and making speculative approaches to firms. The CIPA website has a database where you can find a patent attorney.

Medical/ Pharmaceutical and Technical Sales

Recruiters looking for sales staff need graduates who are confident communicators, self-motivated, persuasive and enthusiastic. Whilst recruiters may not specify a science degree, having one will be a real advantage if it helps you to better understand the science behind the product you’re selling. For example, medical sales representatives must complete qualifications recognised by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority and provided by the ABPI, which examine the skills and knowledge required to promote medicines.

Look for opportunities to demonstrate these skills through charity fund-raising and part-time sales work. For medical sales, recruiters will expect you to have work-shadowed a rep, so you understand the nature of the role (e.g. extensive travel during the day, self-motivated and persuasive to set up meetings with busy clinicians). For technical sales, relevant industrial experience in the area you are entering can be an advantage, particularly when complex specialist knowledge of the product is required. In most cases, a driving licence is usually essential for travelling to client meetings.

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