Sector Guides: Alternative Science Careers (Patents, Science Writing & Medical Communications): Getting into alternative science careers

Overview

Science careers do not have to involve lab work or research. There are a number of career areas that require a science background, such as patents, science writing (including medical communications and science PR), medical information or health informatics.

10 alternative science careers
From Prospects
Non-research career options
Ideas from the Microbiology Society

Job roles

Patent attorney
With a scientific background, and an interest in law, patent attorneys assess new inventions and lead inventors/companies through the patent process
Science writer
Research, write and edit science-related news articles for business/trade/professional publications, journals and the general media
Data scientist
Turn data into information using algorithms and machine learning.
Medical sales representative
Sell your company's products (i.e. medicines, prescription drugs, medical equipment) to GPs, hospitals, pharmacists
Medical communications
Working with the pharmaceutical industry on anything from regulatory documentation to marketing a new drug. Free downloadable booklets
Roles in Health Informatics
Includes clinical informatics, information management and librarianship
Technical communication
Communicating technical information to others. For example, user manuals, online help guides, instructional videos
Association of British Science Writers - How to become a science writer
Lots of useful resources, including an overview of what is involved, link to courses and other resources
IP Careers - Profession overview
Areas of specialism include Biotechnology/Life Sciences, Chemistry/Pharmaceuticals, Electronics/IT, Engineering/Physics
Investigating MedComms career options
Webinar from FirstMedCommsJob covering different career paths and types of company you could work for.

What Our Graduates Do

Here are some of the jobs graduates do, with their qualifications:

Graduate Trainee Patent Researcher at Hoita, studied Biochemistry
Medical Information Officer at ProPharma, studied Biochemistry
Scientific Copy Editor at Spandidos Publications, studied Biology
Editorial Assistant at The Lancet, studied Biomedical Science
Publishing Assistant at Springer Nature, studied Chemistry
Data Analyst at Blue Frontier, studied Physics
Sales Support at Scientifica, studied Biochemistry

Other Science Careers

Food, Drink and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
Careers in testing and preparing food and other consumable goods

Energy and Utilities
Will have roles in chemistry and environmental science
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology and Health Science
Includes non-lab opportunities in a wide range of areas