Dr Elizabeth Rapley is an experienced research scientist who has recently moved into a communications role at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). As the ICR's scientific spokesperson, Dr Rapley works within the public relations and fundraising team to raise awareness of cancer and the ICR's research
Part of being a scientist is sharing ideas and collaborating with colleagues: Meeting colleagues at meetings and conferences is an important part of being a scientist. You get to share ideas, talk about your work and establish very useful and successful collaborations. Many of the developments in my career has been about making myself known to people I was interested in working with at conferences and meetings - and you make some great friends. Many scientists will tell you that some of their best ideas come from having a pint with a colleague at a conference!
If you want to lead a research team then you'll need a PhD: Whilst it is not necessary to have a PhD to do medical research, it certainly helps. Without a PhD it is difficult to advance your career beyond that of a scientific officer or a senior scientific officer. While these are good career options, your research is directed by the person who leads your research team. If you aspire to be an independent investigator that has their own research team, and you would like ultimately to conduct your own research, then you will need a PhD.
Every scientist I have ever met is a scientist because they love it: You do this job because at the end of the day you love it. Science doesn't always go the way you want it - experiments fail, often for a very long time, you work long hours and some of it is a grind (grants, ethics and admin), but every now and then you have a magic moment where you get a result and you say a-ha! There is also the enormous personal satisfaction from teaching scientists and others (for example the public, schoolchildren, fundraisers and supporters) about what we do. It was one of the reasons I have a passion for science communication. People are genuinely interested in what you do. If you are not passionate about science then why do it! Every scientist I have ever met is a scientist because they love it.
Many researchers studied medicine - and following this path can broaden your options: I know of many medical researchers who first did their medical degree and then did a PhD in a research institute. Many are highly successful and run their own research labs. Some are now full-time researchers, some are clinical consultants with research interests, some combine clinical practice and research and others have decided, after their time in the lab, that clinical work - not research - is for them. I also know of scientists who did a BSc, PhD and then decided after a few years of research to go back to university and do a medical degree. Lots of options really. So choosing to read medicine will not narrow your options - in many ways you probably will have more than if you just did a BSc.
Dr Jennifer Rohn is a research fellow at the Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology at University College London. She is also a freelance science writer and has appeared on TV, radio, podcasts, live panels and in print
PhDs are hard work - but they can prepare you for a range of careers: I would advise anyone considering to go into scientific research to do their utmost to get into a PhD programme. It will allow you the possibility to go the distance in an academic career - but if after completing the PhD you find it's not for you, you are still incredibly well placed to get a great job in a science-related field such as science communication, publishing, patent law, grants administration and the like, many of which increasingly require PhDs. Even if you decide that science isn't for you full stop, studies have shown that people with PhDs in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subject go on to earn higher salaries in non-STEM related jobs than their counterparts without them. PhD training also gives you valuable problem solving and critical thinking skills that employers value. OK, a PhD is hard work, but it's stimulating and varied and the money - being tax-free - isn't much worse than an entry-level job in another field.
There are lots of scientists chasing a limited number of available academic jobs: I think that your fears about the instability and short-term contract nature of modern academic research are very well-founded. There is currently an incredibly large glut of post-doctoral fellowships fighting for a very limited number of permanent academic positions. With the current economic climate, this situation is unlikely to improve in the near future. Having said that, achieving a PhD in a science subject will stand you in good stead for a number of non-research jobs should you decided that the uncertainties of the research career are not for you. I have heard good things about clinical microbiology in the UK - but don't forget you also have the options of industry. I've spent time working in a biotech company environment and really enjoyed it as well.
Chris Shepherd is a full-time PhD student at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). Chris was previously a scientific officer at the ICR before he obtained a PhD scholarship, which started in 2008
Network as much as you can - you never know where it might lead you: You should absolutely network as much as you can. A great recent example for me was the guy that came into my lab to collect our washing up. He started to show an interest in what I was doing and it turned out he was a 2:1 graduate from a reputable university. He was keen and asked if he could shadow me for a while and my boss agreed. As he gained experience I let him do some experiments. He even came in over Christmas. Two months later a job came up in a different team and I put him forward. He now works there as a scientific officer and is doing very well. And to note, there were almost 90 applications for the job he went for!
Jon Clarke is head of the Department of Anatomy and Human Sciences at King's College London. Jon also runs a research laboratory funded by the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, investigating the early embryonic development of the vertebrate brain
You need to stand out to be considered for a lectureship: The step to a lectureship is the most competitive step in an academic career and you need something that distinguishes you from the rest of the applicants - I think an ability to teach something unusual in addition to a good research record helps. As a lecturer, I then split my time fairly evenly between teaching and running my own research lab and that's what I have done ever since.
Professor Rhona H Borts is director of the Leicester Institute of Genetics and Genome Sciences in the University of Leicester's Department of Genetics
There are many scientists who'll offer you experience in exchange for a willing pair of hands: If you are willing to do unpaid work then I suggest you scan university web pages for people whose research interests you - or who do the techniques you feel that you want to learn - and just contact them. If you have a good reference from your PhD supervisor there are few people who would turn down a willing and able pair of hands.
Mark Cragg is a senior lecturer in Cancer Sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of Southampton. He is also the pathway director for the Integrated PhD in the Cell Biology and Immunology of Cancer
Going to conferences is a key part of research: I'm not sure there are many scientists who aren't interested in talking to people (anyone!) about their own work, and it is definitely helpful to put a name to a face. Going to conferences is a key part of research. You see what others are doing in your own field and just as importantly what's happening in others.
