Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences

 

What kind of job can I do with a Science Degree?

Even if you specialise in a particular subject you will still graduate with a degree in science, which can open lots of doors. As the excerpt from this article by Peter Cotgreave in the Telegraph suggests you should aim high because there is a range of opportunities out there….

Mike Hill, a careers adviser for 30 years, says: "We have plenty of books about getting into the media, how to succeed in design, or entry into law, but little on developing careers in engineering and technology."

He points out that this does not fit well with the continuing high demand for science graduates, not only in technological jobs, but more generally in the economy. He is right; a science or engineering degree is good training for all sorts of careers.

"When a colleague of mine asked the investment banks recently what they looked for in graduates, they told her they were very keen on analytical ability (not just numeracy) and were especially interested in graduates who had studied engineering or the biosciences. The hard evidence on the benefits of studying science and engineering is impressive.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/3350605/Just-what-can-you-do-with-a-science-degree.html

The Society of Biology and six of our Member Organisations have produced a new careers guide. Next steps: Options after a Bioscience Degree features guidance on job seeking strategies, tips on making applications and going for an interview, information about postgraduate study options and the importance of skills, as well as listing lots of useful resources to help you find your perfect job. Read more and download the guide...
 

Student success case history

Jennifer Britt (CB-2010) now works for Delta-Simons, a Lincoln-based environmental consultancy. Jennifer secured her position after working at Delta-Simons as an Intern carrying out ecological surveys. This was followed by temporary contract work for ESL-Ltd, another Ecology consultancy based in Lincoln. Jennifer's enthusiasm for her studies at University and during her internship proved to be key in securing her this permanent job. Jennifer said "I was told that the extra-curricular activities that I had been involved with both at Riseholme and away from University were critical in indicating to my employer that I had been keen to get involved."

Naomi M (Animal Behaviour Science) has secured a position as an Animal Training Technician, with Mars Petcare, a leading Pet Food manufacturer. Naomi feels that there were key things during her degree that helped her to secure the position. These were: practical experience gained outside, but alongside of my degree; confidence in preparing and giving presentations; a good knowledge of learning theory; and a good knowledge of scientific procedures involved in carrying out and reporting projects. “My practical experience was mostly gained through my involvement in the ABEAST society and I was able to use this to provide evidence that I could work with a range of animals - not just dogs - and also showed that I was motivated to work above and beyond the requirements of my degree. We had to give several presentations during the course of the degree and my interview for this position proved how valuable this experience is, as I was required on short notice to prepare and present a piece on an animal training task I had undertaken. My knowledge of learning theory and of scientific procedures was also tested during the interview and I was able to recall what I had learned during my studies and through carrying out my dissertation in order to back up my answers.”
“Within my position I get to work hands on with animals on a regular basis, and I have also given presentations and written scientific reports. Therefore these key aspects not only helped me to secure the position, but also to carry out my job on a day to day basis.”

Kate Meunzberg studied BSc Conservation Biology (Animal Behaviour) at Lincoln University, graduating in 2006 with a 2:1.
During the summer and easter holidays I worked at Limagrain UK as a student labourer. Just after I finished my final exams I was offered a full time job as an Assistant Barley Breeder on the Barley team, I must have impressed them! I took the opportunity like a shot, I was struggling to find any jobs Conservation related that didn`t require 3 years experience. Experience I was only going to get by volunteering, 3 years without getting paid was not an option for me, so I took my science degree and went to work with barley plants instead of animals! I`ve been at Limagrain nearly 6 years full time now and the more I learn about barley the more interesting my job becomes. We breed both spring and winter barley varieties for malting and feed, which means we are busy all year round!
My job is anything but boring, in the spring and summer months I spend time preparing spring barley seed for drilling, drilling, scoring plots for disease, selecting plots to go forward into trials, pulling plants, driving plot combines, threshing,supervising up to 20 students(like I used to be), preparing winter barley seed for drilling,and drilling winter barley. Into autumn and winter where I am in charge of the micromalting schedule and preparing malt samples for quality testing as well as grading and NIR testing, and all throughout the year I take leaf and grain samples for molecular marker projects and help to run marker assisted back crossing projects. There never seems to be a moment to stop!
So it just goes to show that even if you have an animal related science degree you can still get a job or career in any science related sector, even if its nothing to do with animals! I still of course have the dream that one day I will work with animals, but for the moment I am happy where I am! And of course it pays the mortgage!"

Where are you now?

We are always interested in knowing how our Alumni are doing. If you are successful in securing that dream job perhaps you could share the secret of your success. Contact us via bioadmin@lincoln.ac.uk and if you wish we can feature you on the Job shop website.

Have you considered teaching?

Teaching science allows you to share your enthusiasm for your chosen subject. You can use your knowledge and creativity to make learning exciting and relevant for young people. This opens their minds to new concepts and the world around them.

Science teachers are in demand in schools. If you decide to teach science you will benefit from excellent training, great incentives and a competitive salary (Starting salary of £21,000–£27,000). You can develop a rewarding career with the opportunity to progress rapidly. Trainee science teachers are highly valued and receive additional financial support during their training.

Postgraduate routes such as the postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) allow graduates to achieve qualified teacher status. Trainees starting initial teaching training in Biology in the academic year 2011/12 may be offered a tax-free bursary of £6,000.

Lots of helpful advice can be found at http://www.tda.gov.uk/  or Freephone: 0800-389-2500.

Vacancies - updated 14 March 2012

VACANCY: Technical Assistant to the Director General
EMPLOYER: North of England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo)
CLOSING DATE: 23rd March 2012
MORE INFORMATION: Chester Zoo’s recruitment line on 01244 389477 or email recruitment at chesterzoo.org

VACANCY: MSc and Research Assistant in cow welfare and behaviour
EMPLOYER: University of Guelph, Canada
CLOSING DATE: Unknown
MORE INFORMATION: Elsa Vasseur at http://www.alfredc.uoguelph.ca/recherche/index.php?id=52

VACANCY: PhD Opportunity
EMPLOYER: World Horse Welfare England and Wales welfare project, University of Bristol CLOSING DATE: 30th March 2012
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AEA272/phd-studentship-to-investigate-equine-welfare-in-england-and-wales/

Taken from www.jobs.ac.uk  – why not sign up for email alerts for jobs that match your interests?

 

Further help

University of Lincoln Careers Service
We are the University of Lincoln’s bespoke careers service. As a part of Enterprise@Lincoln, we aim to support students, graduates, staff and faculties with all of their careers education needs. From one-to-one careers guidance to workshops, presentations and consultation, we aim to promote the development of enterprising students, staff and graduates.
We are here to help you long after you have graduated, so if you are struggling to find that ideal position please don’t hesitate to contact us or go to our webite (http://www.uolcareers.co.uk).

Where else can you look?
These are useful links that you can search now and more importantly they will allow you to set up email alerts that will send you details of current vacancies in your chosen field of interest.