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Between 2006 and 2009, 0.8% of employed doctoral graduates, or 120 doctoral graduates in total are known to have been working as biologists six months after graduation.

Job description

Doctoral grauduates working as biologists typically start their careers as HE research professionals, usually on postdoctoral contracts. A minority enter non-HE research occupations.

Much of this work is very similar in nature to the research work the new entrant carried out as a doctoral student, with an increased level of responsibility. As a result, most entrants into these roles should have a good idea of the basic nature of the job and many of the key responsibilities.

Biologists are primarily involved in planning, conducting and analysing experiments, either with a definite end use (to develop new products, processes or commercial applications) or to broaden scientific understanding in general. Although research is often carried out on an individual basis, they usually work as part of a larger team and part of their job is to disseminate information to professional colleagues. This is sometimes done at international conferences or through the publication of research papers.

Biologists may focus on one or more of the following; neurosciences, plant sciences, physiology, pharmacology, cancer studies, microbiology, genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology and stem cell research. They are close to the medical sciences but also cross over into other areas, such as biochemistry.

Between 2006 and 2009, 0.8% of employed doctoral graduates are known to have been working as biologists six months after graduation.

Typical work activities

The exact nature of the work depends on the level of seniority, the specific area studied and also whether the context is industrial or academic.

However, most biologists are involved in the following:

  • Devising and conducting experiments, as well as processing and analysing results and data
  • Collaborating with industry/academia to apply the results of research and develop new techniques, products or practices
  • Publishing papers and presenting ongoing work and findings to colleagues at academic conferences
  • Teaching, demonstrating or supervising students (in academia) and training and supervising other members of staff
  • Devising or helping to draw up new research proposals and applying for funding and grants
  • Working in multidisciplinary teams (in academia working across different faculties or schools and in industry working across different functions of the business).

Biologists depend on the publication and peer review process to validate their theories and inform their research. They also need to keep abreast of the work of other scientists both within the life sciences arena and in the wider scientific community. Attendance at academic conferences across the world is considered part of the job, rather than an additional activity.

Entry requirements

The following specialisms increase your chances:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical science
  • Microbiology
  • Natural sciences
  • Pharmacology
  • Ecology
  • Environmental biology
  • Crop and plant science.

Job titles vary between industry and academia but the levels are essentially the same. A doctoral qualification is usually required for research associate/senior scientist roles and above. Entry to work with research councils, such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) or their associated institutes, is possible as a senior research scientist for those with a higher degree and postdoctoral experience.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

  • A methodical approach, and the ability to analyse and process data
  • Problem-solving skills, and the ability to find and employ creative solutions
  • Good time management and organisational skills, and the ability to work with minimum supervision
  • Strong communication skills for writing papers, reports and bids and for giving presentations
  • The ability and desire to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
  • Networking skills, and the ability to build effective links with external organisations.

Salary

  • Range of typical starting salaries is 22,000 - £27,500 at research assistant level £26,500 - £35,000 postdoctoral research associate level (salary data collected June 2010)
  • Range of typical salaries at senior level (i.e. after 10-15 years in the role): £33,000 - £57,000 for research fellow/senior research fellow is in excess of £50,000 for professorial roles (salary data collected June 2010)
  • Starting salaries are comparable between academia and industry, but private sector salaries at senior levels tend to be higher, particularly within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology areas

Sector and disciplinary information

Sector information

Doctoral graduates from 2006-9 working in this occupation were known to be employed in the following profiled sectors six months after graduation:

Disciplinary background

The most common disciplinary backgrounds for doctoral graduates (2006-2009) entering biology were:

Career stories

  • Professor Darrell Evans
    Professor of Developmental Tissue Biology and Associate Dean, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex

"It is really rewarding to be doing novel research that leads to a better understanding of the development and structure of our bodies and contributing to, for example, the development of new therapies for repair and regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues. Designing and executing your own experiments is very exciting and it is great fun examining the results (especially when they are not quite what you expect)."

Other relevant career profiles include:

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