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Graduate jobs in science and pharmaceuticals

AuthorDarcy Nathan, editor
Posted on
View all science and pharmaceuticals vacancies

From hospitals and laboratories to factories, offices and community settings - explore the different paths available in science and pharmaceuticals to find the one that's right for you

Analytical chemist

You'll use cutting-edge tools such as chromatography and spectroscopy to investigate the chemical composition of substances. Work includes:

  • analysing life-saving drugs
  • protecting the environment from pollutants
  • solving crimes by examining forensic evidence.

This is a challenging and rewarding career path, with starting salaries ranging from £26,000 to £30,000. Higher starting pay is possible if you have a PhD.

Gain an insight into the role of an analytical chemist.

Animal technician

You'll care for animals used in scientific and medical research, such as rats and mice. Other species, including fish, primates and dogs, are also used, and the different requirements of each animal mean that working environments vary.

You don't need a degree or HND, as many employers are more concerned with your interest in animal care. However, these degrees may prove useful:

Trainee animal technicians earn about £15,000 to £19,000, while experienced technicians typically earn £19,000 to £23,000. Senior roles can reach around £31,000.

Find out more about animal technician salaries.

Astronomer

This field delves far deeper than admiring the night sky - astronomy is a rigorous scientific discipline dedicated to understanding the origin, evolution and composition of the universe.

There are two types of astronomy: observational, where you use telescopes and cameras to study stars and galaxies, and theoretical, where you use maths and computer models to explain observations and make predictions.

You'll need to have, or be working towards, a PhD to secure a position, and strong physics, mathematics, statistics, computer programming, research and analytical skills are essential.

Astronomers with a PhD in postdoctoral positions usually earn £35,000 to £46,000.

Read up on what it's like to be an astronomer.

Biomedical scientist

When working as a biomedical scientist, day-to-day tasks could include:

  • analysing tissue samples and fluids using advanced laboratory techniques
  • evaluating the effectiveness of treatments and contributing to ongoing medical research
  • helping doctors diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes and AIDS
  • performing critical tests for emergency blood transfusions.

In the NHS, starting salaries for newly qualified biomedical scientists range from £31,049 to £37,796 (Band 5).

You'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a biomedical scientist in the UK.

Learn more about the qualifications you need to become a biomedical scientist.

Clinical scientist jobs

Roles in clinical science are diverse, allowing you to specialise in areas such as:

  • audiology
  • haematology
  • immunology.

With a strong scientific background and a passion for healthcare, a career in clinical science offers the opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives.

Trainee clinical scientists in the NHS are usually employed at Band 6, starting at around £37,338.

Discover detailed information on clinical science roles:

Community pharmacist

As a crucial member of the healthcare team, you'll play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the right medication. Your responsibilities will include:

  • conducting medication reviews and identifying potential drug interactions
  • dispensing and distributing medication accurately and safely
  • offering over-the-counter medicines and educating the public on their safe use
  • providing guidance to patients on their medications and medical devices.

Salaries for foundation trainee pharmacists are typically £22,000 to £26,000 in England and Wales, and about £31,900 in Scotland. Starting salaries for qualified community pharmacists are £30,000 to £35,000, depending on location.

Learn more about the pharmacy courses and the skills you'll need to become a community pharmacist.

Crime scene investigator

As a crime scene investigator (CSI), you'll play a vital role in collecting and preserving evidence, acting as the bridge between the physical scene and the courtroom. You're also responsible for processing and categorising evidence so that it can be used in criminal investigations.

To become a CSI, you'll typically need a degree in forensic science, although entry is also possible through a police role with specialist training in evidence collection and analysis.

Starting salaries for crime scene investigators are between £24,000 and £26,000, plus allowances, with graduates at the higher end of this range.

Find out what to expect from a job as a crime scene investigator.

Food technologist

You will ensure the safe, legal and accurate production of food products by developing manufacturing processes and recipes for food and drink items.

Additionally, you'll be tasked with reformulating foods to produce fat-free alternatives and exploring both established and newly discovered ingredients to innovate and create new recipes.

You'll benefit from having a food-related degree such as:

When starting out as a graduate food technologist, you can expect to earn £24,000 to £26,000.

Take a look at what you can earn as a food technologist.

Forensic scientist

You'll provide scientific evidence for either prosecuting or defending parties involved in criminal and civil investigations. This involves searching for and examining trace materials, including blood, hair and clothing fibres, to:

  • gather relevant information
  • support case outcomes.

To work as a forensic scientist, you'll need either a degree in a scientific subject - such as chemistry - or a degree in forensic science.

Salaries for forensic scientists typically start at around £20,000.

Discover more about working a forensic scientist.

Medical science liaison

Often referred to as an MSL, you will serve as the company's authority on pharmaceuticals, acting as a link between:

  • clinicians
  • researchers
  • the pharmaceutical industry.

Your primary responsibility is to provide clinicians with accurate information about specific drugs so they can make informed decisions.

Typically assigned to a specific area, you will specialise in a particular drug, medical device or therapeutic area, providing expert support.

Starting salaries are typically around £50,000 for new medical science liaisons.

Find out more about the salary and progression opportunities of a medical science liaison.

Medicinal chemist

You'll be at the forefront of discovering new drugs, contributing to the development of medicines and innovating the design of pharmaceutical molecules to combat specific diseases or conditions.

As a medicinal chemist, you may also be known by job titles such as:

  • graduate scientist
  • research chemist
  • synthetic organic chemist.

To pursue this career, you'll need a degree in chemistry and a strong understanding of synthetic and organic chemistry.

Starting salaries for chemists are between £29,125 and £32,500.

Take a look at the responsibilities of a medicinal chemist.

Meteorologist

You will forecast the weather and investigate the underlying causes of weather patterns by analysing data collected from land, sea and the upper atmosphere.

You'll typically need a degree in meteorology or a closely related subject such as physics, mathematics or atmospheric science, with many roles - particularly in research or forecasting - also requiring postgraduate study or specialist training.

Foundation operational meteorologists (trainees) at the Met Office start on £26,954 base pay, with up to £4,200 extra in shift allowances. Experienced meteorologists earn roughly £41,725 to £62,619 at senior operational level.

Learn more about the role of meteorologists.

Microbiologist

Their expertise supports the prevention, diagnosis and management of infections and diseases, ensures food safety, and contributes to sustainable technologies.

Microbiologists address challenges affecting:

  • climate
  • food security
  • health
  • the environment.

You'll need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as:

In the NHS, microbiologists are typically employed at Band 6, which in 2026 starts at around £38,682.

Read up on what to expect as a microbiologist.

Nanotechnologist

Nanotechnology focuses on developing solutions at the molecular and atomic level. This includes creating new:

  • diagnostic tools
  • equipment
  • materials
  • pharmaceuticals.

To enter research in nanotechnology, you'll need a good honours degree as well as a research-based MSc or PhD. After completing your PhD, you can typically earn £25,000 to £35,000 in a research role.

Take a look at the skills you'll need as a nanotechnologist.

Pharmacologist

Dedicated to understanding how drugs work, your role will involve conducting research to support the discovery and development of medicines.

This includes investigating interactions between drugs and biological systems, as well as carrying out in vitro and in vivo studies to predict human responses.

You'll need a scientific degree in pharmacology or a related subject such as:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • toxicology.

An MSc or PhD is advantageous. In academia, postdoctoral research positions typically pay £30,000 to £45,000.

Learn more about what you could earn as a pharmacologist.

Research science jobs

As a research scientist, you'll be at the forefront of scientific investigation, planning, leading and delivering experiments across a range of disciplines.

Whether you work in academia, industry or government, your role will involve:

  • analysing data
  • contributing to innovation in your field
  • designing studies
  • publishing findings.

Common specialisms include:

Most roles require a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject, with many employers expecting a Masters or PhD, particularly for advanced or academic positions.

Salaries typically range from £22,000 to £30,000 at entry level, rising to between £35,000 and £55,000 with experience, and £50,000 for senior or specialist roles.

Science writing, education and outreach

Using your scientific knowledge as a secondary school teacher, further education teacher or higher education lecturer involves planning and delivering lessons, as well as observing, recording and assessing pupils' progress. You'll also need to keep up to date with developments in your field and evolving teaching methods.

Opportunities also exist in science outreach, for example working in a museum as an education officer, developing and delivering engaging learning programmes.

As a science writer, your responsibilities include researching, writing and editing scientific content for business publications, technical journals and mainstream media.

Discover alternative science careers.

Teaching laboratory technician

Working in educational settings, your role involves providing essential support to science:

  • lecturers
  • students
  • teachers.

Teaching laboratory technicians typically need A-levels or a Level 3 qualification in a science subject, with some roles requiring a relevant degree or prior lab experience.

If employed in schools or colleges, you could earn £18,000 to £23,000. Senior technicians typically earn £24,000 to £30,000, with experienced university technicians earning up to £36,000.

Discover how to become a lab technician.

Toxicologist

Your responsibilities include identifying, monitoring and evaluating the effects of toxic materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and radiation on the environment and on human and animal health. This involves conducting laboratory and field studies to gather data and assess impacts.

Relevant courses include:

Toxicologists typically need a degree in a relevant subject such as chemistry, biology or pharmacology, with many roles requiring a Masters or PhD.

Starting salaries for graduate toxicologists typically range from £20,000 to £30,000.

Take a look at potential career progression as a toxicologist.

Other science and pharmaceutical jobs

Find out more

Written by Darcy Nathan, editor

Prospects · March 2026