Bioscience Postgraduate Careers

Bruce Woodcock bw@kent.ac.ukCareers and Employability Service

Slides for this talk are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

To PhD or not to PhD?• Length: at least three years for PhD• Work independently to prepare a thesis• Your supervisor will advise and guide - who you choose

is very important• Original research expected • Research Council funding normally available• Need MSc or First Class degree for bioscience

Where to study? Continue at Kent?• “The Devil you know!”• Friends may still be here.

Study elsewhere in the UK?• More choice• Seen as good to make a change

Study abroad?• Much more work involved• Apply early!

Choosing where to study

Directories/websites such as Prospects Postgrad www.prospects.ac.uk/links/PGDbase

Ask your tutors!

Use league tables and research assessments - but with caution! www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm#Info

Visit universities and talk to current postgraduates

Research Council Funding• BBSRC Biology and Biotechnology• MRC Medical• EPSRC Engineering & Physical Sciences• NERC Natural & Environmental

Research Councils Awards

• BBSRC, MRC, NERC, EPSRC, • Apply to postgraduate department where you want to

study, not to the research council. Department allocates awards.

• Closing date 31st July, but apply autumn or early spring terms.

• Open to English and Welch applicants.• Scottish and Northern Ireland applicants need to confirm

eligibility for particular courses.• European Community applicants usually get fees only.• Fees paid and maintenance grant about £15,000 outside

London for UK applicants.

Other sources of funding

• Company sponsorship: PhD whilst employed

• University research assistant/technician - paid but have to do PhD in spare time

• Charitable trusts

• ASK COURSE DIRECTOR WHAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE!

University Studentships

• Aimed at encouraging research – few available for taught courses

• Sums vary but often similar level to Research Council studentships

• May include a requirement to teach part-time

• Eligibility varies• A brief list of these funds in Prospects

Postgraduate Funding Guide - or check with the universities you are applying to

www.kent.ac.uk/recruitment/PG_Funding

Cancer Research UK

• http://science.cancerresearchuk.org offers about 25 funded PhD places per year (about £18,000 p.a.) They accept UK, EU and non-EU students. Closing date is usually late November

• You need a first and must have some research experience.

• They give as much funding for PhDs as the Biology & Biotech. Research Council!

Study Abroad

• Many courses taught in English - especially Netherlands, Scandinavia, and some business courses.

• Often require a Masters degree to enter postgraduate study in Germany

• Academic year starts February in Australia/NZ

USA• Apply well in advance - 12 months or

more. • Don't just apply to New York and

California!

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm#PGAbroad

Writing your personal statement

• Usually have to write a personal statement of about 500 words on why you wish to do the PhD

–Why you want to do this course?–Why this university?–Relevance of your first degree/MSc–Academic skills–Career aims

• See www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm#AppsInts for help with writing personal statements

• The duty adviser can check printed statements in the CES

Help with postgraduate study

Tobias von der Haar can offer additional drop-in support for this on Mondays week 8 or 9: “We have two days in the practicals in weeks 8 and 9 where there is not much to do except wait for cultures to grow, where I will offer a "walk-in clinic" with doctoral study advice.”

Science Communication students have options within the School of History to explore along the more traditional “submission of research proposal” mode of application.

What do Employers look for in Postgraduate applicants?

Rank the following in order e.g. 1 for most important and 10 for least important:

Can be asked to undertake independent research Good time management Negotiation skills Ability to listen to others Ability to present ideas clearly (verbally & in writing) Attention to detail & thoroughness Ability to identify areas for change or improvement Capable of learning new IT systems quickly Can integrate quickly into team Honesty & integrity

What do Employers look for in Postgraduate applicants?

On appointment:

1. Honesty & integrity

2. Ability to listen to others

3. Can integrate quickly into team

4. Ability to present ideas clearly (verbally & in writing)

5. Good time management

After one year:

6. Ability to identify areas for change or improvement

7. Can be asked to undertake independent research

8. Negotiation skills

9. Capable of learning new IT systems quickly

10.Attention to detail & thoroughness

What should you include in your CV?

Write down everything you think you should include in your CV

Should you have different content for different jobs?

Tips from employers• Convince the employer that you can translate your ideas into commercial reality

and that the commercial world is not your second option because you can’t achieve a career in academia. Prove that you have researched the position carefully. (KPMG)

• Prove that you’ve given thought to the differences between the academic and corporate environment. (Welcome Trust)

• Demonstrate knowledge of the goals and values of the organisation you are applying to and try to prove initiative and innovation. (SKB)

• I turn down candidates who show a lack of commercial awareness. (McKinsey)

• Emphasise the more rounded individual rather than the researcher. Are you a self-starter? Do you have leadership qualities? Take any opportunities to develop yourself outwith academia. (Accenture)

• Don’t over-rely on academic achievement. Stress transferable skills such as teamworking, report writing and leadership. (SEPA)

• Gain teaching and coaching skills and try to give presentations at conferences. (KPMG)

• Candidates must have transferable skills and must be able to demonstrate them. (BMSP)

What skills do Master’s student have?

Skills gained on a science MSc• Gather and analyse relevant

information from a wide variety of sources

• Identify and propose solutions to problems

• Project management• Technical skills• Work independently (individual

projects)• Communicate with others in a

clear and articulate manner• Present ideas and arguments

verbally in presentations and seminars, and informal discussions

• Sell these on your CV, applications and at interviews!

“Sell” your MSc• List relevant modules (plus

marks if good!)• Projects – especially if

relevant• Laboratory skills/IT skills • Soft skills – evidence of

teamwork, project management, problem solving etc.

• For non-science jobs (e.g. banking) you would need a different CV focusing on your soft skills more than technical skills.

Research CVA CV for research posts is longer than the normal 2 side CV.

Include: Conferences attended (include presentations or poster displays) Publications Evidence of teaching/presenting skills: leading seminars or practicals. Administration experience: sitting on committees plus any record in attracting

funding Research Methods and Scientific/Statistical techniques e.g. NMR, HPLC etc. Awards and membership of professional bodies Evidence of IT, time management, project management and report writing

skills For research posts in industry mention contact with industry such as placements More than the usual two referees:

• At least one from your postgraduate research

• One from an employer or other person commenting on personal qualities outside academic performance

Example MSc CV www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/msccompcv.htm

Business CV Two pages maximum

Targeted at job with examples of relevant skills

Less about research skills, conferences, publications

More about problem solving, time management, project management skills, creativity, initiative, contact with industry etc.

CVs differ by country e.g. a French resume includes a photo and has a hand written covering letter.www.eurograduate.com/planning.asp

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/cvexamples.htm

How to sell yourself to employers

• Translate your course summary into plain English: employers won’t be familiar with arcane scientific language so work on your elevator pitch. Avoid excessive jargon.

• Understand your skill set. E.g. the skill of quickly reading literature to find the critical point, transfers to quick decision making on information.To identify your skill set check your attributes against the Vitae Researcher Development Framework.

• Know your audience. List the skills the employer is seeking and then map these against your own skill set

• Focus on what you can do for them. Focus on what you can do for the employer rather than what you want from them. Recruiting new people is resource heavy.

• Demonstrate your commitment to further learning. Continuous professional development is the ultimate transferable skill. If you can demonstrate how you grew your professional skill set (not just your academic skills) through a personal development plan as a researcher, you will present yourself as an excellent future employee. Show that you are seriously committed to continuously improving your knowledge, skills and ways of working.

Application Process

The smaller company process is much simpler and you can apply much later (often after final exams) but salaries are usually lower and they offer less training and less chance to specialise.

CVs and Applications Resources

• Science CV

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/sciencecv.htm

• Science covering letter

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/placementletter.htm

• Application forms

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm

The best way to learn how to excel at application forms is to do the “Analyse your skills and learn to make top quality applications” assignment in the Moodle Careers Employability Award. (More about this later)

Interview Help• www.kent.ac.uk/careers/applicn.htm

• Teaching, postgraduate study, scientific research practice interviewswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/interviews/mockivs.htm

• Streamed Videos online• On-line Applications

• Interviews

• Assessment Centres

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/IntVid.htm

Useful Links for International Students

Work Abroad www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitesint.htm

Study Abroad www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm#PGAbroadIncludes international rankings for universities

International Student Careers www.kent.ac.uk/careers/InternationalStudents.htm

What careers can enter with your MSc?

Write down as many jobs you can think of that you can enter with your MSc

Also write down the names of potential employers

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/ScienceJobs.htm

Science Writing and Medical Communications

Science Writers Produce manuals & literature in paper or electronic form. Writing documents in a lucid style so that users can easily understand them. Arranging for translation into other languages. Liaising with printers. Indexing & cataloguing.

Medical writers - in demand. Write protocols, clinical trials reports, and patient information for the pharmaceutical industry regulatory authorities. They also have to write, design and develop marketing literature.

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/sciencewriting.htm

Journalism www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/journalism.htm

Publishing www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/publishing.htm

PR and Corporate Communications www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/PR.htm

Digital Marketing www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/digital-marketing.htm

Relevant Web Pages

• Clinical Trials and Regulatory Affairswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/cra.htm

• Science Recruitment Agencies www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitephar.htm

• Health Careers www.healthcareers.nhs.uk provides detailed information on more than 350 roles in health

• Science Careers pagewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/ScienceJobs.htm

• Biosciencewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/bioscience.htm

• Vitae www.vitae.ac.uk UK organisation championing the career development of research staff.

• Careers Help for Postgraduates and Contract Researchers www.kent.ac.uk/careers/PDWPgrad.htm

Bioscience Vacancy Sources

• Science Recruitment Agencieswww.kent.ac.uk/careers/sitephar.htm

• Royal Society of Biology jobs page http://jobs.rsb.org.uk/jobseeker/search/results

• PM Live Pharma marketing & communications jobshttp://jobs.pmlive.com

• Jobs in the Academic Community www.jobs.ac.uk• NHS Jobs www.jobs.nhs.uk • New Scientist www.newscientistjobs.com • Nature www.naturejobs.com • Jobs in Science www.jobsinscience.com• Biotech companies www.bioindustry.org

Cancer Biology Destinations

• Stereoscopic Compositor - Prime Focus UK• Sales Manager - Life Technologies• Production Scientist - RMS Innovations• Laboratory Scientist - Anthony Nolan Charity• Registration Scientist - Remedica Ltd• Research Assistant - Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute• Visiting Research Scientist - University of Cambridge• MSc in Radiation Biology - University of Oxford• MSc Intellectual Property Law - Queen Mary University of

London• PhD Biology - University of Sussex• PhD Proteomics/cancer - University of Exeter • PhD Cancer Biology - University of Kent• PhD Pathology - University of Cambridge

MSc Reproductive Medicine Destinations

• Andrologist - The Doctors Laboratory• Embryology lab technician - Ospedale Cannizzaro• QAP online user - Fert Aid• Research Assistant - Medical Research Council• Laboratory Analyst - Essex & Suffolk Water• Product Technician - Cell Projects Ltd• Radiography Assistant - Basingstoke & North Hants Hospital• East Kent Hospitals - Doctor• Self Employed: CEO - Melborn Ville Service Limited• MPhil Genetics - University of Kent

I Want to Work in .... Reproductive Medicinewww.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin/reproductive-medicine.htm

MSc Science, Communication and Society Destinations• Senior Principal Scientist - Pfizer • Trainee Recruitment Consultant - Spencer Ogden• Account Executive - Quintiles (Scientific Recruitment)• Pharmaceutical Headhunter - Proclinical• Freelance Musician - Modal Productions• Regional Health Manager - Schulke• Hospitality & Catering Co-ordinator - Nandos• Project Co-ordinator - Alltech• Online Magazine Journalist - Newsstand• Sales Manager - Horse World Live• Marketing Assistant - Stock Tell Marketing• Marketing & Communications Intern - Imperial Innovations• Onsite Resource Manager - Pfizer• Communications & Public Engagement Coordinator - Royal College of Pathologists• Public Engagement Assistant - The Royal College of Pathologists• Communications Officer - European Food Information Council Intern• Social policy co-ordinator (PT) - Citizens Advice Bureau• Explainer of the Science Museum (PT) - Science Museum Group• Learning Manager - Powell-Cotton Museum• Chemistry Teacher - American School• Biology Lecturer - Canterbury College• Trainer/Demonstrator - Canterbury College

• Lecturer in Engineering & Maths (PT) - SE Regional College

• PhD Computing - Tokyo Inst. of Tech.• MPhil History of Science(2)-Kent Uni.• Further study - History

Destinations of Kent Postgraduates

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/fdrbases/destinations.htm

.

Choosing a career Choosing a career web pages

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/Choosing/ChoosingCareer.htm

I want to work in ….www.kent.ac.uk/careers/workin.htm

Prospects PlannerPowerful program to help choose a career.www.prospects.ac.uk/links/Pplanner

Target Career Report https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report

Careers Fair12 - 3 pm. Tues Nov 3rd Sports Centre

Meet 134 employers from all sectors offering graduate jobs and internships.

Boots, TeachFirst, AbBaltis, DSTL, Ferndale Foods, IBMS.

www.kent.ac.uk/ces/careersfair

Careers Employability Award on Moodle

• Half the unemployment rate for students who complete the award www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm

• General Award DP2650 Science Award DP2675• Email bw@kent.ac.uk if you have problems enrolling

Content of the Careers Employability Award 12 Quizzes: need 75% to pass but allowed unlimited

attemptsComplete 3 of the following seven

assignments Employability skills quiz How to develop the

skills employers want? Test your spelling &

grammar! What makes you happy

at work? How commercially

aware are you?

Interview preparation Practice interview What are the most

common interview questions?

Aptitude tests & assessment centres

CV quiz Career planning drag &

drop quiz

Analyse your skills & learn how to make top quality applications

Do you want to live to work or work to live?

Researching careers  Choosing a career Submit a CV Social media Action planning

www.kent.ac.uk/careers/moodle.htm

www.kent.ac.uk/careers Telephone: 01227 823299 Email: careerhelp@kent.ac.ukOpening hours: Monday to Friday 9 to 5 including vacations Drop-in times (no appointment needed: 15 minutes): 10.30 to 12.30 and 2 to 4 pmHelp given for up to 3 years after graduationWeekly careers emails every Monday afternoon

MSc Bioscience Careers

Careers and Employability Service

Bruce Woodcock bw@kent.ac.uk

Slides for this talk are available at www.kent.ac.uk/careers/slides.htm

THE COVERING LETTEROne side of A4 maximum

First Paragraph

State the job you’re applying for.

Where you found out about it.

When you're available to start work (& end if it's a placement)

Second Paragraph

Why your interested in that type of work

Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!)

Third Paragraph

Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation.

Relate your skills to the job.

Last Paragraph

Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview

Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.