To ask what well-paying career I could go into with a degree in Biology?

[biograd]

I was always planning on pursuing a career in academia so I have a degree in Biology and master's in Molecular Biology and lab experience. Since COVID hit though I realise I don't want to pursue academia anymore, I want something with a little more job security and something that is better paid.

I'm a bit overwhelmed in knowing where to go from here. I'm currently working in a lab but there's not really any opportunities for progression in my current role and my salary is quite low so it's not sustainable to stay here long-term. I really want to get on the property ladder but I will need to earn a lot more before that is possible for me.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on what to do? I know whatever I do I would enjoy as I'm the type of person who has broad interests. I'm detail-orientated, well-organised but I'm not great at leadership and public speaking.

Patent attorney, science management consultant would probably also hit the spot and pay well if you can get into a training scheme. Management accountancy or project management too.

Not sure about environmental health. If you dislike presenting, I think depending on the job description they sometimes have to go to court, or deliver training.

I have a Biology degree from a good university. I’m currently teaching. Most of my friends on my degree programme went to work for big pharmaceutical companies or did a law conversion and did scientific patent law.

@ElephantsNest thats not true for me, I rarely (if ever) present and prosecutions are few and far between - the majority of the cases plead guilty because of the overwhelming evidence, so don't always go to trial!

@blueshoes remind me tomorrow and I will respond with more detail, just about to call it a night but happy to give you more information if you are interested!

I studies Microbiology then did a taught masters in Computer Science and worked in software development. I'm not sure that the Masters was necessary. A lot of people got into IT via Data management (at a clinical trials management company)

@Freedfromdesire111 I'm in West Yorkshire. Are you anywhere near? It's great to hear there are jobs about though :-)

Data scientist - do a professional conversion and be on 50k in 2 years.

Medical writer , accountancy, NHS clinical scientist. I have friends that have gone into all these jobs and are earning very well.

I would really recommend working in Research Operations. I used to be a research assistant in a lab (2 years ago) and am now in Research Operations in Public Health earning over £50k for a research institute. If you were going to go into Pharma doing similar jobs it would be more.

What colleagues of mine do who were RAs and are now earning over £40k include:
Bioinformatician
Data Manager
Study Coordinator
Operations Director
Research Project Manager
Programme Manager

None of those jobs would necessarily involve additional formal training if you have experience from being a research assistant. You might have to start at a lower grade though but generally all start at about £30k. PM if you want some advice at all

I can’t believe there are so many people here who know about med comms, never mind work in it. No one has ever heard of us in real life usually.

I’ve worked on the editorial side of med comms for 12 years, since I finished my biochemistry phd. I love it. We’re constantly hiring, there’s great opportunities for career progression and it you get to learn all about new therapy areas/treatments every day.

We’re all home based at the moment but it is better to start out in an office as it can be a steep learning curve.

I'm still in the process of researching all of your suggestions. Thank you again.

Through my research so far I have realised that I do not want to work in a lab for the long-term which is one of the reasons why I no longer want to pursue a PhD. However, I'm worried whether not having a PhD will limit my career options?

Working in medical communications is something I have been interested in for a while but when I looked at job adverts in the past it seems that you need a PhD. Is it possible to get into without a PhD?

@biograd it's definitely possible to get into med comms without a PhD either as a medical writer or in project management or another role. Some of our writers have a PhD but most don't. There are a fair few with a masters.

There seem to be loads of jobs advertised at the moment, it's a great time to get into the industry.

@biograd I just wanted to say also that in public health/epidemiology there are quite a few PhD opportunities which don’t require any lab work if that was the only reason you didn’t want to do a PhD.

@biograd

I'm still in the process of researching all of your suggestions. Thank you again.

Through my research so far I have realised that I do not want to work in a lab for the long-term which is one of the reasons why I no longer want to pursue a PhD. However, I'm worried whether not having a PhD will limit my career options?

Working in medical communications is something I have been interested in for a while but when I looked at job adverts in the past it seems that you need a PhD. Is it possible to get into without a PhD?

Not having a PhD really won’t limit your career options. They aren’t overly useful unless you’re in academia and aren’t needed for most careers. A masters is a must for many though, but you have one so no need to do another.

Have you looked at project management for science/engineering type companies? Your skill set would be good for that and there’s potential to earn what you’re looking for in the big private companies.

Thought I would pop back to say thank you all for the advice. I'm now working as a medical writer and really enjoying it! :)

Investment banking is almost always in the look out for science / medical grads. Know several recent grads who have walked into 50-60K a year jobs straight after graduation because the demand of hiring people who understand how healthcare and science / pharma companies work has been so huge.

@biograd

Thought I would pop back to say thank you all for the advice. I'm now working as a medical writer and really enjoying it! :)

That's interesting, well done. Just wondering what the salary is approx for that role and is it home based ?