Careers and Employment

Guide to finding graduate scientific work

Introduction

Remember Plan ahead. Many vacancies are advertised from as early as September of the year

prior to the start date and many applications close well before Christmas- some even in October. So

don't leave it too late!

1. Graduate Scientific Vacancies

There are a number of specialist graduate careers websites that advertise vacancies (from all

subject areas) including:

Gradcracker, http://www.gradcracker.com;

Graduates Yorkshire, http://www.graduatesyorkshire.co.uk/;

milkround.com;

Shuspace, https://shuspace.shu.ac.uk/ University Life tab; https://unihub.shu.ac.uk

The following 2 websites have both a specialist graduate jobsearch site and links to particular

scientific career areas and links to additional jobsearch sites in those areas

Prospects, http://www.prospects.ac.uk/; https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/browse-

sector/science-and-pharmaceuticals

http://targetjobs.co.uk/; https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors

2. Locating scientific job vacancies

The following list gives some of the many of the jobsearch websites you can use for your search:

Association for Clinical Genetics Society; http://www.acgs.uk.com/jobs/

Careerscene; Biomedical Science Career Network, http://www.acgs.uk.com/jobs/

Cellmark forensics limited; http://www.cellmarkforensics.co.uk/

Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, http://www.csofs.org/

Chemistry World; http://jobs.chemistryworld.com/

Environmental Scientifics Group, https://careers.esg.co.uk/vacancies.aspx

Forensic Science Northern Ireland; https://irecruit-ext.hrconnect.nigov.net/

Government universal jobmatch; https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch

Jobs.ac.uk; university jobs/ studentships

LCG, forensic roles around the UK and abroad, http://www.lgcgroup.com/careers/,

Metropolitan Police, Forensic Services, http://content.met.police.uk/Page/Careers

Nature Jobs; http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/

New Scientist; http://jobs.newscientist.com/en-gb/

NHSJobs; https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

NHS Scotland; https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/

The Institute of Biomedical Science https://www.ibms.org/estudents/go/careers/where-

to-look-for-jobs

Scottish Police Services, Forensic Services, http://www.spa.police.uk/work-with-us/

You could also use vacancies on these websites to identify locations of companies recruiting and

contact them directly about work experience at their firm.

3. Scientific employers offering vacancies including:

AstraZeneca, http://www.astrazenecacareers.com/students/programmes/;

Cancer Research UK ; http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/graduates-and-

interns/graduate-scheme

Covance, http://careers.covance.com/university.html;

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory,

ttps://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-

laboratory/about/recruitment; (advertised on

https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi and gradcracker- see above)

GlaxoSmithKline, http://www.gsk.com/en-gb/careers/graduates/;

John Innes Centre, https://www.jic.ac.uk/training-careers/vacancies/

Johnson and Johnson: http://www.careers.jnj.com

Merck, Sharp and Dohme; poistions in the pharmaceutical industry. http://www.msd-

uk.com/careers/students/index.xhtml;

Novartis, http://www.novartis.co.uk/careers/careers-join-our-team.shtml;

Proctor & Gamble, http://pgcareers.com/;

Step provides paid experiences for recent graduates, http://www.step.org.uk/

The Wellcome Trust: have a range of jobs plus a graduate development programme;

https://wellcome.ac.uk/jobs/

UCB, https://careers.ucb.com/

Unilever summer and yearlong placements (and spring programme for first years)

https://www.unilever.co.uk/careers/graduates/

Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute; http://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/careers

4. Scientific Recruitment agencies

There are specialist scientific recruitment agencies: very useful to obtain scientific work as some

companies only advertise through them. www.careerscene.com has a list of them and you can

search for scientific specialising recruitment firms using www.rec.uk.com and

www.agencycentral.co.uk. Some recruitment agencies have attended Sheffield Universities

Bioscience Careers Fairs in the last few years, including CKScience

Recruitment agencies from the Kent University website

Whitehall www.whitehall.uk.com Kent-based. Specialise in the Biotechnology, Chemical,

Pharmaceutical and Polymer industries and deal with technical, commercial and operations

roles within these sectors.

Access-ScienceJobs.uk www.access-sciencejobs.uk Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry,

Microbiology, Physics, Maths and other Science Jobs within the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology,

Chemical, Environmental, Forensics and related UK industries.

BioHealthMatics www.biohealthmatics.com Bioinformatics, Health Informatics, Health IT or

Health Tech, Biotechnology and Telemedicine Jobs

Mac Scientific Recruitment www.macscientific.co.uk/vacancies.php specialist suppliers of

scientific staff

CK Science http://ckscience.co.uk Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Microbiology,

Pharmaceutical, Analytical, Food Science & Environmental Science Jobs

Clinical Professionals www.clinicalprofessionals.co.uk Specialist Life Science Recruitment with

vacancies in Pharmaceutical, Scientific, Healthcare, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Medical,

Regulatory & Medical Device Jobs

Cranleigh Scientific www.cranleighscientific.co.uk specialist scientific recruitment agency for

temporary and permanent positions. Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Cosmetics and Toiletries,

Chemicals including new graduates.

CY Partners www.cypartners.co.uk scientific recruitment specialists

Delta Consultants www.delta-consultants.com recruit across the spectrum of sciences and

engineering including Medical Devices.

Flame Pharma www.flamepharma.co.uk specialise in recruiting professionals within Clinical

Research, Clinical Management, Pharmaceutical, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Writing, Medical

Affairs, Pharmacovigilance & Drug Safety and Analytical Chemistry and Medical/Pharmaceutical

Sales & Marketing Sectors.

The Global Chemical Jobsite www.chempeople.com/jobs/index.php networking site for

chemistry professionals.

Griffon recruitment service for the chemical industry www.griffononline.com

Hays Life Sciences www.hays.co.uk/job/life-sciences-jobs/index.htm

Helix Group www.helixrecruitment.co.uk

Hudson Shribman Scientific Recruitment www.hudson-shribman.co.uk Interested in students

about to complete their courses and also graduates about to complete their MSc or PhD.

International Healthcare Recruitment www.healthcarerecruit.com pharmaceutical and

healthcare jobs worldwide. Can search by job type and location. A search for science jobs in

Kent brought up lots of vacancies.

Jobs in Pharma www.jobsinpharma.co.uk serves thousands in the Life Science community as

the most effective European online careers management and jobs in the Pharma, Biotech,

Medical Devise, CRO and Healthcare industries

Nextpharmajob.com www.nextpharmajob.com. niche job site for the biotechnology,

pharmaceutical and drug discovery industry specialising in clinical and pre-clinical research.

Kelly Scientific www.kellyscientific.com mainly chemistry/bioscience posts.

Kinetica www.kinetica.co.uk niche recruitment consultancy recruiting predominantly in sales,

marketing, service support and core laboratory science roles within the Scientific industries.

Lab Support UK www.labsupport.co.uk short and long term posts.

Langton Howarth www.langtonhowarth.co.uk recruit graduate and experienced scientific staff

for many of the world's top science companies.

Life Science Jobs www.pharmajobs.com

McGinley www.mcginleyhr.co.uk/h/divisions/healthcare/51 healthcare and scientific division

Matchtech www.matchtech.com/science-jobs technical recruitment consultancy in Science,

Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing and IT.

MedicSolve www.medicsolve.com searchable database of jobs covering most health sectors

including laboratory, sales, IT and clerical.

Morson International www.morson.com The Scientific Division of Morson International

supplies both temporary and permanent scientists from a broad range of disciplines including

Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental and Biosciences.

New Discovery Recruitment www.new-dr.com bioinformatics, cheminformatics,

medinformatics, computational chemistry, proteomics, genomics, microscopy, digital image

processing, spectrometry, biometrics, HTS, robotics, control and data management.

Non Stop www.nonstop-pharma.com recruitment for Clinical Research, Medical Information,

Pharmacovigilance, Research and Development, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Biosensors and

other areas.

Parexel http://jobs.parexel.com positions available in the UK and around the world including

data monitor and CRA

PDR Partners www.pdrpartners.co.uk pharmaceutical-related vacancies (e.g. medical writer)

plus useful careers articles.

Penny Warren Recruitment www.pennywarren.co.uk Scientific recruitment consultants

specialising in placing scientific sales, marketing and technical experts in the life science and

clinical diagnostic industries.

PharmiWeb www.pharmiweb.com pharma-specific jobs board: vacancies across clinical

research, regulatory, drug safety, sales and marketing.

Proclinical www.proclinical.com recruitment agency offering vacancies in the pharmaceutical

and life sciences sector.

Pulse www.pulsejobs.com Scientific and Medical Recruitment. Canterbury office

Reed Scientific www.reed.co.uk/scientific

ResearchGate www.researchgate.net/jobs Largest scientific and research job board in the

world. Vacancies in science and research: 11,500 jobs. Largest professional social network for

scientists and researchers. Can hunt for jobs, create a professional profile, find out about

conferences, and use the network to collaborate with one another.

RSA Search and Selection www.pharmarecruit.com

Sci-Temps www.scitemps.co.uk Chemistry, bioscience, physics, environmental science

SCI Recruitment for Scientists www.uksciencejobs.com or www.sci-search.com Specialises in

finding Science jobs for graduates. Permanent, temporary or fixed-term contract jobs in

Chemical and Biological Sciences.

Seltek Consultants www.seltekconsultants.co.uk Specialists in the recruitment of technical

sales people at all levels from graduate to sales director. Particular areas of interest are life

sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, chemistry, diagnostics, immunology and

instrumentation.

SRG www.srg.co.uk One of the biggest agencies, they have short and long term posts.

Taylorollinson www.taylorollinson.co.uk offices in Manchester and Oxfordshire. Recruit for the

scientific sector in technical, sales and marketing.

Zenopa www.zenopa.com specialise in medical, pharmaceutical, healthcare, dental & science

sales vacancies across the UK.

Agencies which specialise in finding work for biomedical scientists

Labmed Specialist Recruitment www.labmedrecruit.co.uk/biomedical

Mediplacements www.mediplacements.com

Reed Health www.reedhealth.com

5. Speculative Approaches

Speculative approaches to employers can be a very useful way to gain employment. Contacts can be

identified via networking/ using LinkedIn or searching and contacting relevant employers. Attend

careers fairs and employer events, become an active member of University course related Societies

and National Professional Bodies and attend presentations delivered through these. Starting points

for research include:

Association of British healthcare industries– Bio-industry website (great company search

engine); http://www.abhi.org.uk/productsearch/memberlist.aspx?display=A

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Have a list of pharmaceutical recruiters (just

ignore the registration pop-up and click cancel http://careers.abpi.org.uk/getting-into-the-

industry/pharmaceutical-recruiters/Pages/default.aspx

UKBioindustry Association: http://www.bioindustry.org; Index of members available at

http://www.bioindustry.org/membership/member-directory/

Biotechnological and Biological Science Research - has links to Institutes and Centres;

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/about/

Bioincubators: Life science research sites in

Cambridge, http://www.babraham.co.uk/ ;

Cambridge Papworth, http://www.papworthhospital.nhs.uk/CTBI/core.html;

Bedford; http://www.colworthpark.com/;

Bradford; http://www.bradford.ac.uk/research/our-research/research-in-faculties/life-

sciences/areas-centres/cancer-therapeutics/bioscience-incubation/;

Cardiff; http://www.cardiffmedicentre.co.uk/

Hertfordshire; http://www.biopark.co.uk/

Leeds; http://www.leedsinnovationcentre.co.uk/

London; http://www.lbic.com/

London Imperial; http://www.imperialinnovations.co.uk/?q=node/267

London Queen Mary; http://www.qmbioenterprises.com/

Manchester; http://www.umic.co.uk/

Merseyside; http://www.merseybio.com/

Newcastle; http://www.life.org.uk/about/partners-at-life

Norwich; http://www.ukspa.org.uk/members/nrp

Nottingham; http://www.biocity.co.uk /

Oxford; http://www.biotechnet.co.uk/

Salisbury; http://www.tetricus.co.uk/

Scotland; http://www.roslinbiocentre.co.uk/

Sheffield; http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/bioincubator

Stevenage; http://www.stevenagecatalyst.com/

York; http://www.yorksciencepark.co.uk/

Careersscene , biomedical employers http://www.careerscene.com/employers.aspx

Institute websites http://www.scienceinparliament.org.uk/wp-

content/uploads/2015/06/SCIENCE-DIRECTORY.pdf have excellent links to societies. Other

Societies to look at include:The Biochemistry Society

http://www.biochemistry.org/Education/HigherEducation/Internshipsandplacements.aspx

and Society of Biology https://www.rsb.org.uk/careers-and-cpd/careers have excellent

links

Examples include:

o Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour ; http://www.asab.org/

• Biochemical Society; http://www.biochemistry.org

• http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/

• British Pharmacological Society; https://www.bps.ac.uk/education-careers/jobs-

opportunities

• British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; http://bsac.org.uk

• British Society for Plant Pathology; http://www.bspp.org.uk

• British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy; https://www.bsgct.org

• Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, http://www.csofs.org/

• COGENT skills, http://www.cogentskills.com

• Royal Society of Chemistry; http://www.rsc.org

• Society of Biology ; https://www.rsb.org.uk/careers-and-cpd

• Society for Applied Microbiology; http://www.sfam.org.uk/en

• Society for General Microbiology; vacation studentship grants;

http://www.microbiologysociety.org

• Society for Reproduction and Fertility; http://srf-reproduction.org

• The Genetics Society; http://www.genetics.org.uk

• Wellcome Trust, http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/. (funding finder)

• LinkedIn: Use https://www.linkedin.com/search to find groups relevant to you. A good place to

start is to try and find alumni groups. You can also get some interesting results searching by

your course name, specific organisations, your geographic location, and industry (for example

putting science and Sheffield in the search).

• NEPIC - Has a list of employers (over 300) in the North East Process Industry Cluster

https://www.nepic.co.uk/the-nepic-directory/

• Science Park Associations - Has a list of National Science park members;

http://www.ukspa.org.uk/

• Scientists for Global Responsibility - link to ethical employers/

http://www.sgr.org.uk/projects/ethical-employers-contacts-list

• Yellow Pages: - A very simple but effective way of finding employers. Look under scientific;

biomedical, chemical etc and choose location https://www.yell.com/

Local Companies include:

Swann Morton, Hillsborough

Element, Sheffield

Sheffield Assay Office

Mycotoxin Laboratory

ALcontrol, Rotherham

Metal Technology Testing, Sheffield

Phase Focus

Carbon Sequestration

ESG Chemical Analysis, Doncaster

Special Testing, Sheffield

Integrated Scientific Limited, Rotherham

6. Look at Placements providers for previous SHU students.

Please check with your placement team before approaching companies that have offered

placements previously. Previous placements include.

• NHS Hospitals: In general contact the hospital/ department you are interested in directly to ask

for their recruitment policy and direct contact details. The following are local examples that

have taken SHU students: Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Doncaster Royal Infirmary;

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; The Rotherham NHS Foundation and the National

Blood Service.

• Commercial Laboratories and Pharmaceutical Companies such as ALControl, Covance, Croda,

Qualasept, Broughton Laboratories, Dr Oetker, ProClinical Life Sciences, Legume Technologies

Ltd, Eurofins Agroscience Service Ltd, Molson Coors Brewery, Vitaflo International Ltd, Proctor

and Gamble, Hays Recruitment.

• The Medico-Legal Centre: It comprises the offices and court of HM Coroner for South Yorkshire

West District and the regional forensic mortuary services. They welcome speculative

applications: Send them through to the Senior Coroner.

Abbott Diabetes Care, Oxfordshire, R&D

Access Ecology Ltd, Sheffield

Bath ASU - Production Officer (student placement)

Boots Pharmacy - Trainee Dispenser - Lincoln

Broughton Laboratories - analytical chemist

Covance - Harrogate: Central Dispensary, Trainee Analyst

Cyprus Police

Erasmus Plus - Science Teaching Placement

Euroimmun, Germany

Fire Service, Cyprus

Forensic handwriting, Cyprus

FPCR Environment and Design Ltd, Derby

Hammersmith Medicines, London - BMS

Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay - Paris - Nanomedicine/ Drug Delivery

Institute for Lung Health - Leicester Glenfield Hospital

Institute of Genetics - Newcastle -

Jaytee Biosciences Ltd, Kent

LGC http://www.lgcgroup.com/ - Industrial Placement

Mondelez International, Reading

P&G Newcastle

P&G - Reading - Research and Development team

Para La Tierra, Paraguay

Proclinical - Trainee Recruiter/Resourcer

Quotient

Ramon Llul University, Barcelona

Reckitt Benkiser - regulatory affairs

Sheffield Breweries

Sherwin Williams Protective and Marine Coatings

Stab Vida - Genetics laboratory, Portugal

SY Fire and Rescue

Tata Steel - Industrial Placement Student

Technostics Ltd

University of Heidelberg, Medical, Faculty Mannheim

University of Sheffield: Wellcome trust seeding drug discovery programme

UoS - Department of Oncology and Metabolism; Department of Infection, Immunity and

Cardiovascular Disease; Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine; Bone Analysis Laboratory,

Mellanby Centre for Bone Research; Cancer Biology Placement; DNA replication and repair

group- Academic Unit of Molecular Oncology; Metabolic Bone Centre; School of Clinical

Dentistry; Sheffield Myeloma Research Team; Wellcome trust seeding drug discovery

programme-

Sheffield Assay Office

Vitaflow International Ltd, Liverpool

7. Look at Employers of former SHU students

Check Shuspace employability tab for a list of what recent graduates on your course have gone on

to do https://research.shu.ac.uk/gems/egems/. Examples include:

Alcontrol - Microbiologist, Laboratory Technician

Animal and Plant Health Agency - Science Technician

BPX - Business Sales Executive

Chemicals Regulation Directorate - Project Manager

College (Dearne Valley College) - Higher Education Co-ordinator

Covance - Report Coordinator, Research Assistant, Research Technician

Cyprotex - Associate Scientist, Scientist

DePuy International Ltd - Regulatory Affairs Assistant

Diamond Dispersions Ltd - Kaizen Technician

Environmental Scientific Group - Forensic Lab Technician

Eurofins Agroscience Services - Trial Agronomist

FCC Environment - Assistant Waste Manager

Food and Drug Analytical Services - Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Technician

FP McCann - Estimator

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) - Laboratory Analyst

Government (Ministry of Defence) - Civil Servant (Aviation Planning)

Hain Daniels - Product Developer

Health Service Laboratories - Biomedical Scientist

IBM - Program Manager

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - Medical Laboratory Assistant

MDM Medical - Graduate Sales Executive

Medtronic MITG - Training and Implementation Specialist

Molson Coors Brewing Company - Technologist, Brewery Shift Manager

Nanoco Technologies - Production Chemist

NationWide Laboratories - Scientific Officer

North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust (Scunthorpe General) - Microbiological Laboratory

Assistant

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (John Radcliffe Hosp) - Trainee Clinical

Neurophysiologist

Parexel International - Project Associate, Technology Graduate Associate

Penlon Ltd - Regulatory Affairs Associate

Pepceuticals - Chemist

Phico Therapeutics Ltd - Molecular Biology Research Assistant

Quotient Bioresearch Group - Research Scientist

Quotient Clinical - Clinical Research Scientist

Reckitt Benckiser - Analytical Scientist

School Partnership Trust Academies - Science Technician

Secondary School (Arthur Terry School) - Science Technician

Secondary School (Baysgarth School) - Science Technician

Secondary School (The Albion Academy) - Secondary (Science) Teacher

Sheffield Assay Office - Laboratory Assistant

Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust - Biomedical Scientist, Assistant Genetics

Technologist

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Trainee Research Scientist

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Northern General) - Biomedical Scientist, Higher

Healthcare Technical Officer

Tata Steel - Analytical Chemist

Tesco - Graduate Technologist

Testology Ltd - Quality Assurer

The Analysis Research Group - Research Scientist

Thornton and Ross Ltd - Pharmaceutical Quality Control Analyst

Transition International - Laboratory Manager

UK Biobank - Laboratory Technician

Unilever - Formulation Scientist

University (Sheffield Hallam University) - Assistant Laboratory Technician

University (University of Reading) - Laboratory Technician

University (University of Sheffield) - Laboratory Technician

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust - Associate Practitioner

unspecified - Health Economist

Vantage Consulting Ltd - Recruitment consultant

Veolia - Chemist

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust (Warrington Hosp) - Biomedical Scientist

8. Information sources

There are a variety of organisations and websites that have information on graduate roles

Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, http://careers.abpi.org.uk;

Biochemical Society, http://www.biochemistry.org/;

Cogent Skills; http://www.cogentskills.com;

Forensic Science within the police force- this report details the forensic science strategy for

the police although there are no opportunities mentioned it discusses how the Service is

going to work with Forensics

ttps://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/506683/5

4493_Cm_9217_Forensic_Science_Strategy_Print_ready.pdf

Graduates Yorkshire, http://www.graduatesyorkshire.co.uk/;

milkround.com;

Northern Health Science Alliance, http://www.thenhsa.co.uk/ act as an advocate on

national and international level for the North’s health science. They have excellent

information on research in the North of England

Nuffield Foundation, http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/;

Prospects, http://www.prospects.ac.uk/;

Royal Society of Chemistry, http://www.rsc.org/

Skills for Justice, http://www.sfjuk.com/sectors/forensic-science/ (forensic science

information)

Shuspace, https://shuspace.shu.ac.uk/ University Life tab;

Wellcome Trust, http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/. (funding finder

https://wellcome.ac.uk/funding/scheme-finder)

9. Careers and Employment Service support

For all of the above PLEASE NOTE that support is available via the Careers service on a one-to-one

basis within the Bioscience and Chemistry Department. We can advise you on your application

forms, speculative enquiry letters, CVs and interviews; we can even arrange full mock interviews.

Book an appointment with an Employment Adviser online at http://careerscentral.shu.ac.uk/see-

adviser/booking-appointment , at your Bioscience Helpdesk on Owen 7 Tel 0114 2253468, visit the

Careers and Employability Centre outside main university entrance Tel 0114 225 3752 or email Nikki

Abbott directly at N.Abbott@shu.ac.uk.

Best wishes

Nikki Abbott