Science beyond the lab

About the role

Science writers research, write and edit scientific news, articles and features in a range of different formats, including:

• business, trade and professional publications
• specialist scientific and technical journals
• general media
• promotional brochures
• press releases
• websites
• podcasts and blogs
• freelance writer 

As print media circulation falls, roles in traditional scientific journalism are reducing. However, there is a growing need for organisations to promote their research to the wider public (often a requirement of funders), so universities, NGOs, charities etc. are increasingly recruiting writers to produce blogs, write web articles and use social media.

Skills: Key skills include a flair for writing clear, compelling copy and the ability to find a good angle on a story. As an increasing number of writers are working on a freelance basis for a range of different employers, networking and business management skills are also important. 

Qualifications: Almost all science writers will have an undergraduate degree, but if you have the right skills, and substantial evidence of your talent (e.g. obtained through writing for the student media), a postgraduate qualification is not necessary.

Search the Prospects postgraduate courses database for relevant courses.

Spotlight On: Science Communication

Dr Tamela Maciel, Space Communications Manager at the National Space Centre, talks about her role and the skills and experience required for a career in science communication.

Typical employers

Employers include:

• most major newspapers and news magazines
• specialist publications with news sections e.g. Nature, Science
• science, media and communications offices in universities, charities and other science-related organisations
• science podcasts
• broadcast media, including independent production companies

About the role

Medical sales representatives or ‘Reps’ are a key link between medical and pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. They typically sell medicines, prescription drugs and medical equipment to GPs, hospital doctors, pharmacists and nurses, working to raise awareness and use of their company’s products.

Qualifications: Reps will usually specialise in a particular product or medical field and, while previous scientific knowledge is not always essential, degrees in subjects such as life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, nursing and dentistry can give you an advantage.

Skills: In addition to your scientific knowledge, you will need to be an excellent communicator, with a persuasive manner, confidence and persistence. Flexibility and self-motivation, commercial and business awareness are also important. 

Spotlight On: Medical Sales Rep

Carwyn Jones, maths alumnus, talks about his first role as a medical sales rep, the training and progression routes. Carwyn is now a partner at Open Health, a healthcare communications group.

Spotlight On: Patent Attorney

Peter Mumford studied a PhD in Organic Chemistry and now works in a private practice specialising in pharmaceuticals. Peter talks about the routes into becoming a patent attorney and how your role develops into becoming a business adviser.

About the role

TOPRA (The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs), defines regulatory affairs as

a comparatively new profession which developed from the desire of governments to protect public health by controlling the safety and efficacy of products in areas including pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, medical devices, pesticides, agrochemicals, cosmetics and complementary medicines.

It goes on to explain that ‘the regulatory professional’s job is to keep track of the ever-changing legislation in all the regions in which a pharmaceutical company wishes to distribute its products. They also advise on the legal and scientific restraints and requirements, and collect, collate and evaluate the scientific data their research and development colleagues are generating.’

Skills: As well as analytical skills, attention to detail and project management skills, you’ll need to be able to negotiate and arbitrate with a variety of people. You must also have an understanding of both legal and scientific matters and the ability to grasp new concepts quickly and to assimilate data from a range of scientific areas.

Qualifications: Relevant degrees include life, physical, mathematical, applied and medical sciences.

 Spotlight On: Regulatory Affairs

Emily De Lay, EU Regulatory Strategist, talks about her role and the skills you need to be successful. Emily, a Nottingham alumna, enjoys her job as she is able to combine her passion for science with a business mindset and an understanding of pharmaceutical law.

Typical employers

• Pharmaceutical companies

The ABPI has developed a comprehensive list of pharmaceutical companies, their contact details and some of the areas they regularly recruit into. It is searchable by location, category, employment area and type of role e.g. internship, graduate training programme etc.

• Large companies with training schemes

For example MSD and GSK run regulatory affairs graduate training schemes.

• Large companies

Those that develop and manufacture other regulated products e.g. agrochemicals, medical devices, veterinary products etc.

• Regulatory agencies

For example The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency

About the role

The European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) describes medical writing as ‘communicating clinical and scientific data and information to a range of audiences in a wide variety of different formats. Medical writers combine their knowledge of science and their research skills with an understanding of how to present information and pitch it at the right level for the intended audience.’

Depending on the employer, documents might include:

• regulatory submissions i.e. protocols, clinical trial reports, clinical expert reports, patient information
• preparation of manuscripts for publication in medical journals
• training manuals and learning resources
• promotional materials for websites
• items for conferences i.e. posters, abstracts, slide presentations

Skills: A good understanding of anatomy and human physiology is important, and knowledge of diseases and their treatment is an advantage. As well as your scientific knowledge, you’ll need evidence of your excellent writing skills, ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, and strong attention to detail. You must also be able to master complex ideas and translate them into the right language for your audience.

Qualifications: Most medical writers have a life sciences or health related degree qualification.

Typical employers

• Pharmaceutical companies

The ABPI has developed a comprehensive list of pharmaceutical companies, their contact details and some of the areas they regularly recruit into. It is searchable by location, category, employment area and type of role e.g. internship, graduate training programme etc.

• Contract research organisations

These are service organisations that provide support to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in the form of research services outsourced on a contract basis. The Clinical and Contract Research Association (CCRA) has a list of corporate profiles on its website

• Medical communications or MedComms agencies

MedComms Networking provides a directory of MedComms companies

About the role

The European Bioinformatics Institute has an online course, ‘Bioinformatics for the terrified’, that defines bioinformatics as:

It goes on to define two further forms of informatics:

• medical or health informatics – the interdisciplinary study of the design, development, adoption and application of IT-based innovations in healthcare services delivery, management and planning
• biomedical informatics – the interdisciplinary field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific enquiry, problem solving and decision making, motivated by efforts to improve human health.

A key difference is that bioinformatics deals with research data and uses it for research purposes, whereas medical informatics deals with data from individual patients for the purpose of clinical management. Biomedical informatics sits somewhere in the middle.

Typical roles fall into three broad categories, with some overlap:

• Bioinformatics researcher/scientist – an individual who uses computational methods to advance scientific understanding of living systems.
• Bioinformatics analyst – an individual who performs the analysis either for their own research or for other scientists.
• Bioinformatics engineer – an individual who creates the novel computational methods needed.

Another possible job title in this field is bioinformatician.

Skills: Include strong statistical and computational skills; an imaginative interest in using IT and information; analytical and problem solving skills; meticulous attention to detail; the ability to work with others in multidisciplinary teams; the ability to present large amounts of information in a clear manner.

Qualifications:  

Search the Prospects postgraduate courses database for specialist courses. It is possible to enter the industry either with a computer science specialism combined with strong biological knowledge or a biological science specialism and strong computing skills.

Typical employers

• Pharmaceutical companies, usually in R&D or IT departments, or within specific therapeutic areas.

The ABPI has developed a comprehensive list of pharmaceutical companies, their contact details and some of the areas they regularly recruit into. It is searchable by location, category, employment area and type of role e.g. internship, graduate training programme etc.

• Biotech companies

For a list of biotech companies, searchable by sector, visit the UK Biotech database.

• Software companies

Those that specialise in bioinformatics, for example, Partek, Qiagen, Illumina, Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Search Google to identify other relevant companies.

• Universities

• Research Institute

For example the Sanger Institute, the European Bioinformatics Institute , Wellcome Trust and Genomics England 

• Medical research charities

Search the Association of Medical Research Charities member directory for a list of organisations.

We invited three science policy professionals and UoN alumni to talk to you about their roles.

• Alasdair Taylor, Head of Policy (Research Sustainability), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
• Dr Sam Gaines, Head - Companion Animal Science and Policy, RSPCA
• Roya Ziaie, Policy Advisor (Covid-19 Vaccine), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Log into SharePoint to watch a recording of this event 

• Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar

About this area of work

Science policy involves communicating scientific knowledge to Government and the public, to inform and assist in policy formulation. Policy topics are diverse, ranging from vaccination campaigns to common agricultural policy or biodiversity.

Skills: To be successful in a science policy role, you must have an enthusiasm for science and its relevance to society combined with knowledge of business and politics. Key skills include the ability to work collaboratively and to explain complex scientific issues to a lay audience. Adaptability is also important as you may be involved with a wide variety of topics.

Qualifications: A relevant science degree is required. 

Typical employers

• Professional bodies

The Directory of the Professions produces a list of scientific professional bodies

• Government departments and organisations

Find a full list of government organisations

• Parliaments, for example, Westminster, EU

The Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology (POST) runs various fellowship schemes through which PhD students can undertake a three month placement with them

• Research Councils

For example, the Medical Research Council (MRC) offers studentships to postgraduate researchers

• Charities

For example, the Association of Medical Research Charities has a member directory