The outlook for the employment of scientists in the UK is good. Issues such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions, developing more effective drugs and providing healthier foods all demand a significant input from science graduates of all disciplines.

See Research careers for more information.

Science graduates’ skills

Apart from scientific knowledge, employers seek graduates for the many relevant skills they bring to the workplace. A lot of scientific work is interdisciplinary and graduates tend to bring with them the ability to discuss ideas, exchange information and other team skills.

The ability to analyse problems and look for appropriate solutions is another core skill that degree-level studies develop.

Scientific degrees also help with the development of the practical skills needed to use scientific instrumentation and equipment.

Non-research science careers

Scientists are also required for many support functions such as information science, patent work, product registrations and technical writing.

For each of these, an interest in science information together with written, interpersonal and organisational skills are the main requirements.

See Non-research careers for more information.

Further study after graduating

For some positions, particularly those involving research and development, a further qualification such as a research master’s or PhD, is a useful and sometimes essential requirement.

A postgraduate qualification like this demonstrates that you have the ability to perform literature searches, design and carry out experiments and describe your work in documents and through oral presentations. Postgraduate courses can be expensive, however, so do your research before committing to one.

See Postgraduate study for more information.

Non-science careers for science graduates

Interesting posts also exist for graduates who no longer want to work in a laboratory. Specialists in procurement, production, marketing, sales, distribution, finance and human resources are invariably required.

These posts tend to be open to graduates of any discipline but can also be entered after a period spent working on more technical activities.

See Alternative careers for more information.

Graduate job descriptions

• Biochemist
• Biomedical scientist
• Chemist
• Development chemist
• Energy scientist (nuclear)
• Environmental officer
• Food scientist / technologist
• Forensic scientist
• Geologist
• Materials scientist
• Microbiologist
• Pharmacologist
• Physicist
• Scientific laboratory staff