When it comes to picking a career in the scientific field, most people’s minds jump to the classic doctors, nurses, lab technicians and researchers. While these may be fantastic options for some, there are many other ways to get involved in the scientific field in other roles.
If you want to work in science but aren’t sure what job would suit you best, this article will give you five alternative scientific careers to look at what’s out there. Let’s explore!
1 – Science Intelligence Officer
Science intelligence is a growing industry that combines scientific research and technology to help science companies filter through large amounts of research to find specific solutions. There are many scientific intelligence branches, but one of the most prominent is Intellectual Property Intelligence (IP).
IP is used for many different means, but one of the most important is to help researchers and drug developers understand the state of intellectual property in their field. Knowing about IP in the drug development field can give developers important knowledge about if someone else is patenting a drug similar to theirs or if there is an opportunity for them to launch it on the market.
Though this type of role relies on using a lot of artificial intelligence, it also requires intelligence officers who gather the relevant information for clients. Nicholas C Nelson suggests you must be highly literate in technology to work in this kind of role. It will also be useful if you have a background in legal work or have specified in a scientific field.
2 – Science Journalist
There’s tons of research from medical and scientific professionals, but it’s rarely written in a way accessible to the public. As scientific developments affect everyone, and researchers often want to create a buzz surrounding their findings, science journalists are incredibly important for bridging the gap between researchers and the public.
To be a science journalist, you must have sufficient and up-to-date knowledge of scientific discoveries. Your job will be to read in-depth scientific reports and summarise them for a reader. You won’t always need a degree in science, though it will certainly be beneficial when applying for a role in scientific journalism.
It would help if you could create well-written articles and reports and demonstrable knowledge of scientific terminology and meaning.
3- Scientific Publisher
Similarly to the above scientific journalism roles, scientific publishers are important for getting research and knowledge into the public eye. There are lots of different areas of scientific publication that you can work in, including newspapers, journals, textbooks and more.
It’s a great role for those who want to put their scientific knowledge to good use but don’t necessarily want to be in a lab or medical environment. It’s also a fantastic way to combine a love for literature and humanities with love for science.
Jobs can be found in production, proofreading and editorial. Employers will likely want you to have an undergraduate in a scientific subject at the minimum, and the majority will also ask for a postgraduate degree in publishing, so you have strong experience on both sides.
4 – Hospital Lawyer
If you want to work in a hospital but don’t want to be a practitioner, you could work as a hospital lawyer if you have a legal background.
Hospital lawyers are needed for a vast variety of things, such as bioethics, interpreting new regulations and public policy. They may also spend significant time defending the hospital against improper malpractice claims.
In the US, hospital lawyers will also spend a lot of time fighting for clients’ medical benefits and trying to get them the best care possible. In many ways, a hospital lawyer is there to ensure the safety of both the hospital and the patients – fighting for what is right and keeping doctors in line with current legal treatment requirements.
This type of role is suited to those who want a fast-paced, busy position that gives them the cause to fight for people’s rights. You will need a legal degree to work in this position, and you will likely need significant experience in the field before you are trusted with this level of responsibility. However, it’s highly rewarding for those who thrive on a challenge.
5 – Funding Officer
A much lesser-known role within the scientific field is a funding officer. Funding officers help decide which projects get funding, so it’s a very important role that could, for example, define if a project is pursued or a drug gets developed.
A range of funding bodies in the UK fall under Research Councils UK, for example, BBSRC, MRC, STFC and EPSRC. Some private medical trusts and foundations may allocate funding to specific projects, and any of these bodies will need funding professionals with scientific knowledge to help them allocate money to the projects that promise the best results.
This is the ideal position for someone who prefers office work to being out in the field but has enough scientific knowledge to define which proposals are worthy of funding and donations.
What Scientific Career Is Right For Me?
There’s no definitive answer to which career will be right for you. Consider your qualifications and interests when figuring out what you might be best suited for and see where they align.
Alternatively, if you’ve found a career on this list of 5 alternative science careers that has caught your attention, but you’re not necessarily qualified for it – you could consider returning to school to get further training.
There’s no one path to finding your perfect career, and it’s often a process of trial and error. However, if you do your research, we’re sure you’ll find something that makes great use of your scientific skills!
