Science business, patents and sales (rename?)

If you want to use your scientific literacy outside of the lab, bringing new products and innovations to the market… Do you enjoy articulating complex concepts and information, do you want to work in an interdisciplinary setting, does the prospect of knowledge exchange excite you…

Patents: like written word, like exams, languages

Sales: commercial concept, spoken word, commercial awareness, travel, independent

Bus Dev: articulating complex concepts, interdisciplinary, knowledge exchange

Explore job roles

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. 

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 understand the science behind the product you’re selling better. 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.

Business Development Officers and Managers work in a range of settings, including universities, where their role is to identify new business opportunities and foster relationships with customers and sponsors. (ChatGPT: Business development managers in universities play a crucial role in driving growth and forging strategic partnerships. They identify and pursue new opportunities, build relationships with external organizations, and contribute to the overall commercial success of the university. Their work often involves a blend of sales, marketing, and strategic planning. )

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

Patent examiner job profile | Prospects.ac.uk

Patent examiner job profile | Prospects.ac.uk

Patent examiner role - GOV.UK

Medical sales representative job profile | Prospects.ac.uk

Business development manager job profile | Prospects.ac.uk

Building skills and experience

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

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 the ability to understand the other two.

For BDM jobs, a masters or PhD can be beneficial, or commercial experience??

  • Read a patent
  • Attend on open day
  • Build commercial awareness
  • Spend day with med sales rep
  • Synthetic biology project (iGEM) – Not running at present, still looking for someone to step up and lead it.
  • Comm of sci cross-over ??? (cannot remember what we meant?!)

Finding and applying for jobs

Trainee patent attorney roles are advertised each year by individual firms and may specify a degree in discipline area (e.g. physics, life science, engineering). A masters/PhD or work experience where you have applied your knowledge in a practical area will be an advantage.

Med sales roles – entry with UG degree common

BDM – may require postgrad degree or experience

Knowledge Exchange UK (or put this in the 'further resources’ section at the end? Need to explain why/how to use the site)

Sales – commercial jobs websites / Reed / “pharmiweb” / what sector?

Find vacancies

  • LinkedIn for Med Sales Rep job (loads of ‘em!) The old places you would look like emedcareers and pharmiweb have very few - if any - listed

Further resources

[Useful websites, professional bodies and communities]

Next steps

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

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