Toxicologist

As a toxicologist, you'll investigate adverse impacts that toxins, such as chemicals and radiation, can have on the environment, including human and animal health. Depending on the area you work in, this can include chemicals within materials, new medicines, and natural substances, such as minerals or plant life.

You'll carry out laboratory tests and field studies to assess the possible risks and harmful effects of these substances. From this, you'll take into account any possible implications of future technology, which may include genomics, digital tools, in silico/in vitro developments, and the long-term consequences of gene-editing technologies.

As well as helping to avoid injury from chemicals and managing accidental exposure, you'll also work to understand and manage the risks chemicals pose, depending on different exposure scenarios. You'll typically work as part of a multidisciplinary team, which may include other specialists, such as computational toxicologists, genetic toxicologists and histopathologists (who study tissue and cells).

Types of toxicologist

You'll typically specialise in one area of toxicology, which will focus on certain substances or with specific employers. Areas can include:

• academic, such as a university
• clinical
• consumer
• contract research
• environmental
• forensic
• industrial
• occupational
• pharmaceutical
• regulatory.

What does a toxicologist do?

As a toxicologist, you'll need to:

• isolate, identify, and measure substances or radiation, as well as any harmful effect they have on humans, animals, plants, or ecosystems
• plan and carry out a range of carefully controlled studies of specific chemicals to evaluate their safety
• help establish regulations on the use of substances in order to protect public health and the environment
• advise on the safe handling of toxic substances and radiation in production or in the event of an accident
• analyse statistical data and research scientific literature
• write reports and scientific papers, present findings, and, in the case of forensic science, give evidence in court
• specifically within the NHS, carry out laboratory analysis to diagnose poisoning (including harmful chemicals, biological agents, and drug overdose) and advise on treatments
• liaise with regulatory authorities to ensure you're complying with local, national, and international regulations and guidelines.

If you work in the pharmaceutical industry, one of your most important tasks is to make sure any potential new drugs are safe for human testing. You'll need to:

• carry out risk assessments
• perform various tests and trials using specialised techniques, including in vivo (living organisms) and in vitro (controlled in laboratory conditions)
• use experimental data to assess a drug's potential toxicity and create a safety profile
• balance potential benefits against any risks.

How much does a toxicologist earn?

• Starting salaries for graduate or junior toxicologists in the UK range from £22,000 to £27,000, but in rare cases, this can be as high as £35,0000.
• With experience, you can earn in the region of £32,000 to £53,000, rising to around £62,000 with even greater experience.
• Salaries for toxicologists working in analytical toxicology in the NHS start at £39,959 for Band 6 and can progress to up to around £129,783 at Band 9.

Salaries vary depending on the sector and area of toxicology you work in, your skills, experience, and location. Pay may be slightly higher in the pharmaceutical industry and consultancy, rather than in chemicals, agrochemicals (chemicals used in agriculture), contract research, and government, for example. You may receive additional benefits such as shares, health cover and a company pension.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours does a toxicologist work

You'll usually work regular hours, completing around 37 to 40 hours per week. However, on occasions, you may need to be flexible in order to complete experiments. The majority of the time, you'll be based in a laboratory where you'll be expected to conform to strict safety measures, such as by wearing protective clothing.

In some roles, you may have to cover weekend or evening shifts depending on the priority of the work. You'll also be part of multidisciplinary teams, which includes researchers and other scientists. Freelancing and self-employment are also a possibility for those with many years of experience, or for those who wish to go into consultancy.

How do I become a toxicologist?

You need a degree to become a toxicologist. While there are very few qualifications specifically in toxicology, there are a number that combine toxicology with other related subjects, such as biochemistry and pharmacology. Relevant degree courses include:

• biological, biomedical and biochemical sciences
• food, crop, soil and environmental sciences
• forensic, chemical and physical sciences
• medicine, medical science and veterinary medicine
• pharmacology and pharmacy.

You need to make sure your degree gives you a solid background in chemistry and a good understanding of biological systems.

Although you don't need to have a pre-entry postgraduate qualification, there are a number of Masters courses available in toxicology and related areas that can help develop your knowledge and skills. Search postgraduate courses in toxicology.

You can also study for a PhD in toxicology or a related field, such as pharmacology, medicines safety, biochemistry, computational toxicology, or molecular biology. Consider whether this is needed for the particular area you want to work in. Information on courses at various levels can be found at the British Toxicology Society (BTS).

Analytical toxicologists working in the NHS undergo specific training via the NHS Scientist Training Programme.

What skills does a toxicologist need?

You'll need to have:

• a passion for science and technology
• an organised, methodical, and academic approach to work, paying close attention to detail
• critical thinking and the ability to analyse and evaluate your own work, as well as that of other scientists
• written and oral communication skills for presenting data results to scientific and non-scientific staff
• a flexible approach to work and the ability to embrace change
• the ability to multitask and work to tight deadlines, while also being comfortable working with complex instruments and machines
• the ability to collect and analyse large amounts of experimental data.

Where can I get toxicologist work experience?

Employers always value relevant laboratory work experience, as it not only demonstrates your familiarity with lab procedures, but also shows your commitment and interest in the sciences. Some degrees provide placements as part of the course, but you could also look for part-time work in a research laboratory or related organisation. As well as developing practical skills, experience can also help you build useful contacts.

Student membership of a professional organisation, such as the British Toxicology Society, is useful for networking opportunities and keeping up-to-date with developments in toxicology and safety sciences.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs toxicologists?

You can find work as a toxicologist with various employers including government departments, public institutes, contract research organisations (CROs), consultancies and private companies in a range of industries. Specific areas of toxicology can include:

• academic - universities or research centres
• analytical and clinical - large district hospitals and specialist regional toxicology units of the NHS, or contract research organisations
• ecotoxicology - environmental hazard assessment in government, water companies, industry and private consultancy
• forensic - private forensic laboratories, forensic departments of hospitals or within government departments such as the Home Office
• industrial and pharmaceutical - various industries including chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, consumer products and food
• occupational - within companies or government liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.

Look for job vacancies at:

• British Toxicological Society (BTS) Vacancies
• Nature Jobs
• NHS Jobs
• NHS Scotland Recruitment

Jobs are also advertised on LinkedIn, and many employers advertise directly on their own websites. Specialist scientific recruitment agencies, such as Network Scientific Recruitment, also handle vacancies.

Where can a career in toxicology lead?

You'll need to take part in continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career in order to keep up with the latest toxicological developments. This can include attending lectures, seminars, workshops, and conferences, as well as taking further qualifications. It's useful to gain membership with the BTS as it provides access to events, conferences, and networking opportunities. It also gives you the chance to join relevant committees or mentorship programmes, which can help with your development.

CPD schemes that help you to plan and record your training. Development activities are available through organisations such as the Royal Society of Biology and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Once you become a toxicologist, you'll receive practical laboratory-based and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) training. You may also receive training in project and study management, data interpretation, report writing, and presentation skills. If you're involved in forensic work, you'll be trained in court reporting as well.

If you don't already have a further qualification, you may want to do a Masters or PhD in your specific area of toxicology. For example, if you're working in environmental or ecotoxicology, you could take a Masters in pollution science, waste management, or aquatic resource management. This will be helpful for longer-term career progression. Some employers may support and even sponsor you to do this while working.

With experience, you can apply to become a Registered Toxicologist on the UK Register of Toxicologists. To register, you need to:

• have an honours degree in a relevant science or equivalent qualification, which has been taken over a minimum of three years via a UK university
• have at least five years of subsequent toxicological experience
• be currently active as a toxicologist
• provide evidence of relevant CPD activities, covering a minimum of 12 months
• provide two senior toxicologists as referees who are Eurotox registered.

Gaining entry to the UK Register gives you automatic membership of Eurotox: Federation of European Toxicologists & European Societies of Toxicology.

With experience, it's possible to move into a senior toxicologist position and then into a management role, such as director of toxicology. As your career progresses, you're likely to spend more time managing whole projects, leading teams of staff, and overseeing strategy.

There is scope to specialise within toxicology or move into related scientific fields. Opportunities depend on your background and experience, but specialist areas include:

• developmental toxicology
• ecosystems, such as aquatic or terrestrial toxicology
• environmental pollution
• food safety
• immunotoxicology
• neurotoxicology
• safety pharmacology
• toxicology of biotechnology products.

Becoming a registered toxicologist can enhance your career prospects, as it demonstrates your experience and competence in the role. There are opportunities to progress into project management, having the responsibility of directing others. It's also possible to move into consultancy work once you've built up substantial experience.