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If you work in research and development can you answer this question for me please?

5 replies

Running908 · 06/11/2019 16:05

If the person spec for an nhs research officer job asks for a 'degree or equivalent experience in an NHS/non commercial or commercial research environment' what degrees meet this requirement? My degree is science based and included research elements and a final year project following research framework or would you think they are looking for someone with a more specific type of degree?

I meet all the other essential criteria on the job spec but I'm not sure if my degree is relevant enough.

OP posts:
cannycat20 · 06/11/2019 16:32

Although, in my experience, NHS research jobs attract quite a lot of applicants, and there are no guarantees, with your background I'd be inclined to definitely apply - unless they've specified that they want a registered nurse or a qualified doctor or someone with particular subject knowledge. (I worked in the NHS for over 15 years in total, mainly as a librarian but a couple of other areas too.)

ODFOx · 06/11/2019 16:43

Some kind of life science/ med lab science rather than physics at a guess.
Just apply anyway and work out how you'll massage your experience to fit if you get an interview. TBH it sounds as if they're being non-specific because there's an internal applicant who'd be perfect but doesn't have a relevant degree....you have nothing to lose by going for it.

Running908 · 06/11/2019 16:53

Thanks for the replies both.

@ODFOx I think you might be right about there being an internal candidate. It's advertised as internal only so only current health board employees can apply.
Ah maybe its a waste of time really then.

Would you email the hiring manager to get an idea of what they are looking for before applying?

OP posts:
Running908 · 06/11/2019 16:55

I probably should have said I already work for the health board so I'm able to apply but I'm trying to decide if it's worth spending the time to fill in the application and write a good statement if I don't have a chance with my degree anyway 🤔

OP posts:
cannycat20 · 07/11/2019 16:35

Well, assuming you work in the NHS and are applying via NHS jobs, one of the best things about that website is, once you've applied for a job, your details can just sit there. So even if you don't get this job, if another suitable job comes up, all you really need to change, usually, is your supporting statement.

I actually ended up as a librarian because, after graduating, the only permanent job I could find was in the supplies department at our local health authority. (Great training, lovely colleagues, awful manager, ancient offices.) I'd been there for about a year when an information officer job came up in a different department. I and another colleague from Supplies both applied; we were both summarily rejected but were given totally different reasons. We heard on the grapevine afterwards that it had gone to the pre-selected internal candidate, but of course under HR rules the job had to be advertised.

It did, however, make me realise that the parts of my job I enjoyed were related to information work, and put me on the path, eventually, of becoming a librarian. Which, overall, has been a good career choice (mostly I've worked in the NHS and education with a bit of civil service and private company). I haven't always been called a librarian, either.

So, even if it's just experience, I think it's worth applying. Best of luck.

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