1. Academic research scientist
Academic research takes place in a university or research institute lab. Day to day tasks include planning, carrying out and analysing lab-based work, with the aim of either furthering the knowledge in a certain area or producing new products or processes. Researchers are generally responsible for their own projects, although most work as part of a larger team. Resarchers depend on getting their results published in peer reviewed journals. In addition, conferences are a great way to meet fellow scientists to set up collaborations or get your name known within your field.
To get into this sort of career, the more education you have the better. With a science degree, you can become a research assistant but to progress past this point, you will need a PhD. Following the completion of a PhD, you will move into a post-doctoral position working in the lab of a more senior scientist.The top research positions are as a professor or senior research fellow, leading a research team or department. This job involves little lab work, but instead time is spent securing funding grants, supervising, teaching and adminstration duties.
Research is quite a competitive area, with more people entering the profession than there are jobs available. Contracts are generally for 3 years at the start of your career, and the money is not great.
2. Forensic scientist
CSI has done wonders for this career choice! This career involves analysing trace materials left at a crime scence, such as blood, hair, paint samples, fibres etc. While TV shows and films might make this job seem exciting and glamourous, the actual work is painstaking and extremely scientific. Because the results are used in courts of law, there are strict protocols which have to be followed and a large amount of adminstrationary duties to be carried out.
A degree is required for this career. It is a good idea to take a general science degree rather than one specifically aimed at forensics, which might not be that useful and will rule out other science jobs if forensics does not work out for you. An MSc or PhD can improve chances of finding a job, as can relevant experience. Work can be stressful and distressing at times, and work often needs to be defended in court by the scientist responsible. The pay is not great, but people who choose this type of career are generally not in it for the money!
This career is quite competitive, and finding a place on a post-graduate forensics course can be hard. Criminal records or drink-drug problems can rule you out.
3. Science teacher
Many people cringe at the thought of becoming a teacher, especially when you think about how most of a class are never going to decide to become a scientist no matter how well you do your job. But what other jobs could you do where every day you're doing something new, getting to work with people who are open to new things and you get 13 weeks' holiday a year? Hours are long in term-time and the work can be very stressful, but this is a job where you'll have a great sense of satisfaction at actually having acheived something!
Anyone who thinks teaching is the easy option when all else fails needs to think again! This attitute will not only let the kids down who have to be taught by you, but you probably won't enjoy teaching too much. There are a range of other ways into teaching, such asfull-time courses like a PGCE, the Teach first scheme where you get real experience right from the start or a graduate teaching position, where you work as an unqualified teacher as you train. A degree is highly recommended if you want to become a teacher, but keep it general so that it fits in with the school curriculum.
4. University lecturer
A university lecturer position isn't something you'll be able to jump straight into after uni. You'll need to develop your own research in an academic setting for some time before they let you loose on the students. The job usually involves trying to divide your time between your own research and teaching duties, such as lecturing, taking tutorials, practical courses, running seminars and marking coursework. You will probably be responsible for the general well-fare of a group of students too.
Long hours are common, and some lecturers find it hard to compete with researchers who do not take on academic duties on top of their research. Entry into this career is not going to happen if you don't have a degree and a PhD is vital too if you're planning to work in a scientific field. You'll probably start out as an academic research scientist before applying for a lectureship when you have several years experience. Lectureships are hard to find and there is lots of competition. Women are not well represented in this career path, which is something that universities need to work on in my opinion.
5. Health and safety
6. Industrial scientist
7. Patent law
8. Science journalist
9. Science broadcasting
10. Sales rep
