Science and pharmaceuticals sector profile

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Are you passionate about science? If you always want to know how something works or enjoy putting together a plan to make something new, a science career could be ideal for you.

Contents

• Different areas of the science and pharmaceuticals sector
• Typical roles in the science and pharmaceuticals sector
• Skills and qualifications
• Salaries
• Key employers
• The application process
• Science and pharmaceuticals sector graduate jobs and schemes

The science sector is varied with opportunities in many specialisms, including the pharmaceutical industry.

Science encompasses all areas of the scientific world, whether biology, chemistry or physics. The science field is far broader than doing experiments in test tubes, but there are still plenty of opportunities to do lab work if that’s what interests you.

In the science sector, you could study climate change, work in crime scene forensics or monitor volcanic activity. Science careers require high-level knowledge of your specialism, critical thinking and research skills.

Pharmaceuticals are medical drugs (ie. painkillers, antibiotics and medicines targeting specific conditions or symptoms).

When working in the pharmaceutical industry, you may be responsible for producing the drugs (ie. precisely measuring components). You could work in a pharmacy, weighing out medicine and fulfilling patients’ orders. Alternatively, you could be on the research side, making new drugs and trialling treatments.

As the sector encompasses everything considered ‘science’, there are many roles.

Here are the career paths available to you in the science and pharmaceuticals sector:

Chemists are the scientists who investigate the chemical makeup of substances and establish how they behave.

Some chemists work for universities as academics. If working for a uni, you’ll usually conduct research and teach students. Your research may be published in academic journals. As part of your job, you might attend conferences to speak about advancements you’ve discovered.

Other chemists work for pharmaceutical companies and focus on drug development.

As an astronomer, you study the universe. The great part of a research-based job is that you’ll usually be able to specialise in an area that you’re interested in. So, if gravitational fields or supernovas fascinate you then a career as an astronomer is your opportunity to study it full-time.

To succeed as an astronomer, you need to have an in-depth understanding of mathematical principles, physics and how astrological bodies (ie. the sun, moon and planets) interact with each other.

Part of your work will involve using large telescopes (either on Earth or in space) to make observations. You then write up your research and present it at conferences when you make a recognised discovery. Most astronomers are employed by universities or space agencies like NASA.

In a biomedical engineer job, you design medical equipment to improve healthcare. It includes biomedical equipment that speeds up surgery recovery times, life support machines and tech that monitors heart rates.

Being a biomedical engineer requires high-level engineering skills and medical knowledge.

As a clinical scientist, you help treat and prevent disease and illness. You may also work to find solutions for conditions related to disabilities. Like biomedical engineering, you need high-level medical knowledge and engineering ability.

Clinical scientists work in various healthcare areas including audiology (hearing, balance and tinnitus-related issues), embryology (fertility treatments, ie. IVF) and immunology (immune system disorders).

Typically, you develop and test procedures that doctors and other medical staff use to diagnose and assess patients. However, some roles in healthcare science involve interactions with patients. For example, a hearing aid audiologist will assess people’s hearing and provide aftercare for hearing aids.

When working as a chemical engineer, you create and improve ways of turning raw materials into everyday products like food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

You research the best methods to manufacture products while maintaining health and safety standards. You also may need to write up the best methods of dealing with hazardous chemicals.

Your job usually involves designing and building production processes, working out any issues that the end-user might have and finding solutions. Typically, your working environment as a chemical engineer is spread between a lab, an office and industrial plants.

As a crime scene investigator, you’re responsible for finding, recording and recovering evidence from crime scenes.

In the role, you gather evidence like clothing and hair follicles. You also secure the crime scene to prevent anyone from accidentally (or intentionally) removing or damaging any evidence.

You need to meticulously search the scene so having good attention to detail is essential. As part of your job, you’ll likely need to attend court hearings to give evidence and explain your findings to the juries.

As a pharmaceutical sales rep, you sell medicinal products. Part of the role involves pitching new drugs and treatments to hospitals and local surgeries.

You could sell drugs to ease symptoms or equipment that medical staff use to treat patients. As with any sales job, you’ll need to be confident and persuasive. It also helps to understand medical conditions and how the products you’re selling relate to them.

In pharmaceutical sales, part of your work is attending conventions. Here is where you’ll network with the decision-makers who choose the drugs and equipment used in healthcare settings.

Want to dive into more career options? Learn about what kinds of pharmaceutical jobs there are.

Some skills and qualifications will help you get ahead in science and pharmaceuticals. Here’s what you need to succeed:

• Lab work. Many jobs in the science and pharmaceuticals sector require lab work. Understanding the safety techniques and how to use equipment is essential.
• Industry-specific knowledge. Producing great work requires being an expert in your field. You need to have a top-notch understanding of the work that’s already been done and keep up with developments by going to conferences and reading research papers.

• Risk analysis. You need to be able to analyse risks. For jobs like chemical engineer, chemist and biomedical engineer, you’re often working in labs with potentially harmful chemicals. You need to know how to create risk assessments for yourself, your colleagues and the end-users of any products you’re making.
• Research. Many science jobs require you to conduct research. If you want to be a chemist, astronomer, biomedical engineer or a clinical scientist, conducting research and coming to your own conclusions is how you make a difference. For other roles, like pharmaceutical sales, you need to conduct secondary research to learn about other people’s findings and then explain them to others.
• Critical thinking. You need critical thinking skills to get to the meaning behind your research. As an astronomer, thinking critically about why a planet, star or other astronomical body is behaving in the way it is could help you make an amazing discovery. Similarly, as a biomedical engineer, you need to understand the impact of an illness on a patient to produce the best equipment to manage their symptoms.
• Written skills. Jobs that require research often require written skills. As a chemist or astronomer, you’ll likely need to write up discoveries as research papers. Having great written skills means your work is more likely to be published in higher-profile journals, which can give it a wider readership and more acclaim.

Many jobs in the science and pharmaceuticals sector need high-level qualifications. To be an astronomer or a chemist at a uni, you’ll need a PhD and postgraduate research in the relevant discipline.

Biomedical engineers typically require an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject like biomedical engineering, biomedical science or mechanical engineering.

Most chemical engineering jobs require a degree in chemical engineering or biochemical engineering.

Similarly, clinical scientists usually need to have studied biology, genetics, biochemistry or biomedical science at degree level. If you choose to, you can complete the NHS Scientist Training Programme to become a qualified clinical scientist.

If you want to be a crime scene investigator (known as scenes of crime officers, or SOCOs), there are two routes to get into the role. You could do a degree in forensic science or study something related like biological science. Some courses are accredited by The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. Alternatively, you could apply directly to police services and law enforcement agencies – regardless of your degree subject (although relevant experience will be advantageous). If you’ve got another job within the police, you can take courses within the College of Policing to become a SOCO.

To get into pharmaceutical sales, you could work towards a degree in biology, pharmacy or a related subject. Alternatively, you might want to undertake an apprenticeship in sales. You can explore the apprenticeships available with the government’s apprenticeship search tool or UCAS.

The range of salaries in the science and pharmaceuticals sector varies based on the job, the industry and the type of project you’re working on (if in a research-based position).

Here are the average salary bands for some roles in the sector:

Biomedical engineers (also known as clinical engineers) earn between £25,000 (as a starter salary) and £72,000 (once experienced).

A scenes of crime officer (SOCO) in the UK will earn between £27,000 and £42,000 a year.

How much you earn as an astronomer will depend on if you’re doing a PhD.

If you’re an astronomy PhD student with a studentship, you’ll usually receive a tax-free allowance to cover your living costs (known as a stipend). As of October 2025, the minimum stipend will be £20,780.

If you were to take on a postdoctoral position after your PhD, expect to earn between £35,000 and £46,000.

A chemical engineer will typically earn between £34,000 and £65,000.

The average salary range for a clinical scientist, or healthcare scientist, is £46,000 to £72,000.

Chemists usually earn between £26,000 and £40,000.

Pharmaceutical sales representatives typically earn between £40,000 and £60,000 per year as their base salary.

Do you want to know more about potential earnings in the pharmaceuticals sector? Here’s a guide to pharmaceutical salaries.

Many scientists work for universities or research organisations. Multiple industries also need scientists for product development. Plus, there are specific roles that sit within certain sectors (such as crime scene investigators in the police).

Some of the key employers in pharmaceuticals and biotech include:

• AstraZeneca
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
• Johnson and Johnson
• Pfizer
• Roche

Does working in the sector look great to you? Learn more about who the big pharmaceutical companies are.

The application process for most jobs in science and pharmaceuticals will be similar to the process in other sector. Typically, you’ll need to apply with a CV and a cover letter. Sometimes, you’ll have to fill in an application form. If you’ve ticked the right boxes, a recruiter will invite you for an interview (or several). If you’re applying for a grad scheme, prepare to attend an assessment centre as part of the recruitment process.

If you’re going for a research-based job (like an astronomer or a chemist), you may need to follow a different format. As part of your application, you’ll probably need to list any publications you’ve been involved with, provide a summary of your research and propose future research. You’ll need to explain why your proposed research is of interest and potentially provide reference letters.

In most other roles, it’ll be your CV and cover letter that sets the first impression.

Getting your dream job in any sector starts with writing a great application that’s unique to the role. Tailoring your CV to the job you’re applying for means a hiring manager is more likely to recognise your experience. When writing about your work history, emphasise your achievements. It’s not just about what you’ve done, it’s also about the results of your efforts. So, if you marketed tickets for a society event, mention how your methods boosted sales. That’s a great line if you want to be a pharmaceutical sales rep.

If you need some help writing a great CV, read our CV advice guide.

Alongside your CV, you need a strong cover letter. Just like your CV, your cover letter needs to be unique and relevant to the job you’re applying for. To make your cover letter stand out, use the information from the job description. If a hiring manager wants someone with great research skills, tell them about how you’ve gained research skills and how you’ve used them at work or university. If you want to learn more, follow our guide on how to write a cover letter that will impress prospective employers.

Are you interested in a career in pharmaceuticals? Learn about what pharmaceutical firms look for in a successful graduate application.

If a hiring manager likes your application, they’ll invite you for an interview. Interviews involve responding to questions which assess your understanding of the industry and the job. Preparing yourself for the interview means learning about the organisation (including its work and outputs), what’s involved in the job and refreshing your memories of your education and work history. You should also prepare some questions about the role and the organisation that you want to ask. Remember, an interview is a time for the organisation to sell itself to you – it isn’t only the other way around.

If you want some helpful tips, here’s our interview advice for students and graduates.

Are you interested in joining this exciting sector? Learn about the top pharmaceutical grad schemes you should consider.

This article was last updated in April, 2025.