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 - or employer - 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.

See also Healthcare science / environment and natural resources

Explore job roles

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 health and pharmaceutical sector, in areas like market access, health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and regulatory affairs.

  • See also 'Scientific communication' and 'Scientific information and data' [link]

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

Building skills and 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.

Gain relevant skills and experience while you study

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

  • Undertake an industrial placement year (valued highly by employers)
  • Align your module choices and any technical/final year projects to your areas of interest
  • 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 - is it really for you?
  • Join relevant professional institutions and associations - look out for events and activities open to student members

Find out more about work experience [link]

Finding and applying for jobs

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.

Find vacancies

Further resources

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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