Page 3 | Science careers that aren't lab based

sunhigh · 2025-02-06T19:10:17+00:00

Any scientists here who don't work in a lab? What potential career options would you suggest for a person with a chem masters and phd that don't involve working in a lab? DS is starting to think about applying for jobs and is adamant he's had enough of working in the lab, but wants to do something that uses his scientific knowledge (so doesn't want to go into banking/finance etc) I'm sure he's looking at all sorts but MN can sometimes come in useful with these sort of dilemmas and we talk a lot...so, has anyone gone off on a tangent after uni and forged a successful career doing something scientific but not hands on?

Positivenancy · 06/02/2025 23:27

Yeah if he wants to move into pharma…he will probably have to start in the labs (phd or not) and work up. Whether that’s In a GMP lab or a research based lab etc. he may need to do a year or so to get to know their processes and procedures etc.

Jellicalcats · 07/02/2025 02:13

I work in the chemical industry (undergrad science degree and PhD in toxicology) in Regulatory. I work with external labs and manage lab projects but my company don’t have labs for my area of work and I haven’t stepped foot in a lab since finishing my PhD.

There are few avenues for entry in to the industry.

Some start by working for the authorities- this is a good avenue if straight out of university. The Civil Service conduct hiring rounds and they’re struggling to hire qualified scientists (I recently heard they’d resorted to hiring history and geography graduates!). After a couple of years of building experience people often move to consultancy and work their way up or go in to a role for a chemical company.

Roles are diverse (regulatory manager, scientific experts, data managers, etc) and junior roles are often advertised. I recently spotted several adverts for reputable consultancies looking for PhD graduates to train on the job.

I went straight in to an industry role after PhD which had a good starting salary and great benefits (car, great pension, health insurance etc).

Someone mentioned Pharma which is a good area to look at and REACH is a big area of work for hiring.

Original poster

sunhigh · 07/02/2025 07:46

Roles are diverse (regulatory manager, scientific experts, data managers, etc) and junior roles are often advertised. I recently spotted several adverts for reputable consultancies looking for PhD graduates to train on the job.

Could you possibly pm me the names of some reputable consultancies? That could be really helpful.

OP posts:

IThoughtHeWasWithYou · 07/02/2025 07:48

I know scientists in academic publishing and in government policy roles.

IThoughtHeWasWithYou · 07/02/2025 07:49

Also UKAS inspectors, and bodies like HTA and MHRA.

Huskytrot · 07/02/2025 07:51

Loads of jobs in quality management, project management, regulatory affairs.

Also a lab doesn't have to mean a traditional uni lab. What about an engineering based company that needs a chemist?

Original poster

sunhigh · 07/02/2025 08:06

I think what would ideally suit him would be to join a big company and spend time in different departments, which would help steer him towards an area he likes/is suited to.

I know there are grad schemes along these lines but because he's done a phd feels too old to apply (and might not even be considered, I'm not sure)

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TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 08:20

Was his PhD not work oriented? My chemist friend got the job first (civil service) and then did the PhD in his specialism. He now works for the H&S Executive in a specialist area. Does he want to move away from his PhD area of study? Once you have done this level
of study, you are very much in your own field. Would he consider alternative training?

Talipesmum · 07/02/2025 08:24

sunhigh · 07/02/2025 08:06

I think what would ideally suit him would be to join a big company and spend time in different departments, which would help steer him towards an area he likes/is suited to.

I know there are grad schemes along these lines but because he's done a phd feels too old to apply (and might not even be considered, I'm not sure)

I’m in oil, gas, energy etc and we absolutely welcome phds onto our grad schemes - sometimes because it’s a highly relevant subject and sometimes in something unrelated but if they show up well. We will tend to expect greater maturity at interview than we might expect of a 21 year old straight out of a 3 year degree though.

Original poster

sunhigh · 07/02/2025 08:29

TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 08:20

Was his PhD not work oriented? My chemist friend got the job first (civil service) and then did the PhD in his specialism. He now works for the H&S Executive in a specialist area. Does he want to move away from his PhD area of study? Once you have done this level
of study, you are very much in your own field. Would he consider alternative training?

Yes, he's happy to do further training. He went straight into his phd after his masters so it wasn't work oriented. He's enjoyed it, but has now decided he doesn't want to stay in a lab or work in academia.

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foreverbasil · 07/02/2025 08:44

Why not use a science industry recruiter such as CK to see what jobs they can suggest?

TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 08:54

@sunhigh does his PhD not have any “use” outside academia or in a lab? What area of work could his study be applied to? Our friend studied his specialism which is very useful for HSE investigations. He might need to think outside the box and definitely contact a specialist recruitment agency.

Lifelover16 · 07/02/2025 09:14

Pharmaceutical industry

Sourisblanche · 07/02/2025 11:02

I’m in oil and gas, he’s definitely not too old to join a graduate scheme. My dd wants to work as a chemical engineer and I’m steering her towards this. A big company can offer a range of roles and they can really find out what they want to do.

TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 14:42

Chemical engineering is a separate degree and has to be recognised by the Engineering Council. A standard chemistry degree won’t be. So to do engineering a suitable master’s is almost certainly necessary.

SatinHeart · 07/02/2025 15:02

Sales for one of the big lab equipment/reagent manufacturers e.g. Thermo Fisher or similar?

Sourisblanche · 07/02/2025 15:23

I meant for the OP’s dc, that an oil company could be a good move. We employ chemists AND chemical engineers. The patent side of things is outsourced now.

Original poster

sunhigh · 07/02/2025 15:33

foreverbasil · 07/02/2025 08:44

Why not use a science industry recruiter such as CK to see what jobs they can suggest?

He may well do that. I just find mn can be very helpful when it comes to ideas to throw his way.

OP posts:

Original poster

sunhigh · 07/02/2025 15:35

TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 08:54

@sunhigh does his PhD not have any “use” outside academia or in a lab? What area of work could his study be applied to? Our friend studied his specialism which is very useful for HSE investigations. He might need to think outside the box and definitely contact a specialist recruitment agency.

That I could not tell you - I'm no chemist myself. He's had papers published so I assume it could come in useful at some point...to someone 🤷🏼‍♀️

OP posts:

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 07/02/2025 15:38

Jellicalcats · 07/02/2025 02:13

I work in the chemical industry (undergrad science degree and PhD in toxicology) in Regulatory. I work with external labs and manage lab projects but my company don’t have labs for my area of work and I haven’t stepped foot in a lab since finishing my PhD.

There are few avenues for entry in to the industry.

Some start by working for the authorities- this is a good avenue if straight out of university. The Civil Service conduct hiring rounds and they’re struggling to hire qualified scientists (I recently heard they’d resorted to hiring history and geography graduates!). After a couple of years of building experience people often move to consultancy and work their way up or go in to a role for a chemical company.

Roles are diverse (regulatory manager, scientific experts, data managers, etc) and junior roles are often advertised. I recently spotted several adverts for reputable consultancies looking for PhD graduates to train on the job.

I went straight in to an industry role after PhD which had a good starting salary and great benefits (car, great pension, health insurance etc).

Someone mentioned Pharma which is a good area to look at and REACH is a big area of work for hiring.

Can I message you?

I'm not a spammer (!), it's about your work.

TizerorFizz · 07/02/2025 15:44

@sunhigh It’s a case of finding that “someone” who values what he’s done. The problem is, it’s possibly more of the same, which he doesn’t want. My DH employed civil and structural engineers. It was not usual to see anyone with a PhD because it’s not needed. It’s also a slower route to being fully qualified so most want to earn money and get on with professional qualifications. Most phds go into very niche areas via teaching in academia or, as our friend did, get the PhD vis work because they needed the specialist research.

So I would ask recruitment consultants. Also research some of the ideas here for an allied career. There will surely be something.

Jellicalcats · 07/02/2025 18:05

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda Yeah, sure!

ErrolTheDragon · 07/02/2025 18:13

I'm nearing retirement after nearly 40 years as a non-lab based chemist - I write scientific software. Real science but in silico .
My PhD was in a relevant area though.

MrsMacYorkie · 07/02/2025 19:00

sunhigh · 06/02/2025 22:38

Private companies working for the chemical companies preparing and submitting dossiers to regulators for evaluation & approval need scientists to interpret, summarise and present data.

This sort of thing sounds right up his street.

Just an example of the types of roles in one company that does this kind of work. There are others, I just happen to be aware of this one.

https://www.exponent.com/careers/experienced-experts

There will also be similar roles in big chemical companies across lots of sectors. But as suggested he should get in touch with some scientific recruiters- they may be able to help him work through what he does and doesn't want to do.

And working in a lab doesn't need to mean being chained to the bench all the time. There's usually a mix of other stuff like writing bids, reports, project management, speaking to clients etc, etc it's not like being a PhD student forever

Jellicalcats · 07/02/2025 19:47

sunhigh · 06/02/2025 22:38

Private companies working for the chemical companies preparing and submitting dossiers to regulators for evaluation & approval need scientists to interpret, summarise and present data.

This sort of thing sounds right up his street.

Exponent is a consultancy mostly specialising in the Agchem sector in the UK but will likely also work on REACH etc.

Staff work on whatever comes through the door, performance is largely based on billing and it involves advising clients, reviewing data, preparing dossiers for registrations, position papers etc.

There are few consultancies in this field in the UK and it’s worth going on Glassdoor to see the employee reviews. Some (Exponent and ERM for example) require the employee to bring in business as well as do the scientific work (so basically sales plus science) which would isn’t for everyone. Feedback I’ve heard is that it’s high pressure and a lot of in-fighting between staff to secure contracts.

Batelle, Enviresearch and CEA seem to be nice places to work (at least their staff are nice and seem happy).

They do offer junior positions or, alternatively, start with the UK authority (CRD/HSE) build some experience and then move to consultancy with experience under your belt.