Biomedical sciences

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Biomedical scientist
• Biotechnologist
• Clinical research associate
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Clinical scientist, haematology
• Clinical scientist, immunology
• Forensic scientist
• Microbiologist
• Research scientist (life sciences)
• Research scientist (medical)
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Toxicologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Genetic counsellor
• Medical sales representative
• Medical science liaison
• Neuroscientist
• Occupational hygienist
• Patent examiner
• Physician associate
• Science writer
• Secondary school teacher
• Teaching laboratory technician

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

This is a competitive sector, and relevant work experience can be extremely useful in improving your chances of finding employment or progressing into further training. Some biomedical sciences degrees include a placement year, which can provide practical experience of laboratory work, research methods and professional working environments.

You can also look for work experience during the holidays through internships, work placements or volunteering opportunities. These may be available in settings such as hospital laboratories, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies or other life sciences organisations.

Targeted speculative applications can also be worthwhile, particularly if you focus on employers linked to your area of interest. Some may offer volunteering or work shadowing opportunities.

Developing hands-on experience of laboratory techniques and scientific practice will help you demonstrate your commitment to the field.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Common employers of biomedical sciences graduates include:

• NHS, including NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT)
• UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
• Medical Research Council (MRC) and other research organisations
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• contract research organisations (CROs)
• private pathology and diagnostic laboratories.

You can also look for opportunities with:

• academic departments at universities
• secondary schools and colleges
• forensic, charity or government-funded laboratories
• veterinary services
• the armed forces
• food and drink, cosmetics and other consumer health industries
• media and publishing companies (for opportunities in scientific writing or editing).

The food and drink, cosmetics and toiletries, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries employ graduates in areas such as research and development, quality assurance, clinical trials management and sales. Publishing companies and the specialist press may also employ biomedical sciences graduates as writers or editors.

Find information on employers in healthcare, science and pharmaceuticals, teacher training and education and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Biomedical sciences students develop science-specific knowledge in a range of areas such as biochemistry, disease processes and treatment, genetics, human anatomy and physiology, and microbiology.

You gain experience in laboratory work, which provides you with the skills to plan, conduct and evaluate experiments, follow protocols, maintain accurate records and understand the health and safety regulations around scientific work. You also develop an awareness of quality standards and ethical issues in medical and scientific research.

You also gain a range of other skills valued by employers in all sectors, including:

• research and critical thinking
• problem-solving skills
• attention to detail and accuracy
• digital literacy and the use of specialist software
• data analysis, evaluation and interpretation
• project management
• numeracy
• organisation and time management
• oral and written communication
• adaptability and resilience
• teamworking.

Further study

Further study is a popular option, and some careers in biomedical and life sciences require postgraduate training or professional qualifications. Some graduates pursue professional routes in healthcare, including clinical scientist training or specialist qualifications for biomedical scientists.

A Masters or PhD can help develop specialist knowledge and research skills, particularly if you're interested in academic or industrial research.

Postgraduate study can also support a career change into areas such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, teaching or veterinary science. In some cases, you may be able to shorten qualification time through fast-track graduate-entry degrees.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in biomedical sciences.

What do biomedical sciences graduates do?

Laboratory technicians (14%), biochemists and biomedical scientists (12%), nursing auxiliaries and assistants (4%) and care workers and home carers (3%) are all among the top five jobs held by biomedical science graduates.

Find out what other biomedical science graduates are doing 15 months after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.

Find out more

• Jobs.hscni.net - health and social care jobs in Northern Ireland.
• NHS Jobs
• NHSScotland Jobs
• NHS Wales