Hot Jobs and New Niches in Science
The following are current job markets that are showing growth. Discussions and Day-In-The-Life looks at many of these markets are available on Science Magazine's Next Wave site.
| Career | Location | Description | Degree | Skills |
| Science Teaching | Middle School, High School, Community College |
Science teachers will be in great demand in the next five years, especially in chemistry and physics. | B.S. | Enjoy working with children or young adults. Enjoy education. |
| Sales & Marketing | Industry | Sales of pharmaceuticals, DNA probes and polymerases, as well as, equipment. This is a fast growing area for people with a science background. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D. |
Like working with people. Like sciences. Interest in business. |
| Technical Services | Industry | Help customers to use your products. The variety is endless, some technicians recommend experiments as well as the biomolecules required. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D. |
People person. Good science background. Enjoy variety. |
| Business (Management) |
Industry | Work as a research and development manager or with strategic planning. This could include budgeting, negotiations and presentations about research. | M.S. Ph.D.
|
Interest in science and engineering. Problem solving skills. Work in a team.
|
| BioProcess Engineering | Industry | Produce materials, drugs or enzymes, in commercial quantities. Requires training in filtration systems, transgenic animal use, or cost assessment. | M.S. Ph.D.
|
Interest in science and engineering. Problem-solving skills. Work in a team.
|
| Biomedical Engineering | Academia, Industry, Government
|
Can primarily do research. Or, in industry, develop medical instruments and supplies. Tissue engineering. Medical robotics. | M.S. Ph.D.
|
Extensive science background. Extensive math and engineering background.
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| Forensic Science | Academia, Police Forces, Industry, Government
|
Scientific Detectivework....Search for scientific clues to solve/explain crimes. Lab screening for drugs, fire causes, etc. Presentation of findings to courts. | M.S. Ph.D.
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Thoughtful, inquiring mind. Good social interaction. Substantial science background.
|
| Nanotechnology | Academia, Industry
|
Scientific engineering of structures on the billionth-of-a-meter scale. Incorporates the sciences, computers and electronics to manipulate single atoms to create better products. | M.S. Ph.D.
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Ability to deal with things not possibly seen with the naked eye. Desire to create better products of various types.
|
| Manufacturing | Industry | Implementation of Good Manufacturing Processes. Work with food, biotech, or pharmaceutical companies. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D.
|
Technical background. Problem solving. Work in a team.
|
| Quality Control or Assurance | Industry, Government |
Performs environmental, raw materials, and final product testing. Develop tests for compliance with FDA and GMP regulations. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D.
|
Detail oriented. Scientific background. Like routine.
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| Journalism or Technical Writing | Newspapers, Journals, Magazines, Organizations
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Writing science articles for public health information, book reviews, or technical papers. Also science writing for companies and organizations. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D.
|
Like the sciences. Like writing. Enjoy new topics.
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| Policy Makers | Government (Congress or FDA)
|
Work with government and organizations to develop good policies and budgets. Determine funding policies for agencies. | M.S. Ph.D.
|
Analytical thinking. Work well under pressure. Like the sciences.
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| Regulatory Affairs | Organizations, Government
|
Advise on the development of regulatory requirements. Write clinical investigator brochures or assess clinical trials for compliance. | M.S. Ph.D.
|
Self-confident. Good communication skills.
|
| Patent Law | Government, Industry, Law Firms
|
Review worth of patents and compare to other patents. Work with clients to support any patent challenges and counsel on patent issues. | J.D.
|
Enjoy science and law. Logic oriented.
|
| Bioinformatics | Industry, Academia, Organizations
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Analyze DNA strands for useful gene sequences. Use algorithms to solve sequences. Cross species genetic analysis. Database development for foundations. | M.S. Ph.D.
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Enjoy the sciences. Good with computers. Problem solving skills.
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| Computer Modeling | Industry, Academia, Organizations
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Computer modeling of biomolecules for structure based drug design. Database development. | M.S. Ph.D.
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Enjoy the sciences. Good with computers. Problem-solving skills.
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| Management Consulting | Industry, Consulting Firms
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Restructuring for companies or processes. Develop strategic plans or marketing plans. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D.
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Enjoy business and science. Like to travel.
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| Environmental Science | Government, Industry, Academia
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Oceanography, geologists, population biologists, government environmental officers. Study the effects of people on the environment and intervention. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D.
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Interest in science. Concerned for the environment.
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| Research | Industry, Academia
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Investigate new research topics. Usually hands on research or leading a team of students or technicians. Current topics include breast cancer and superconductors. | B.S. M.S. Ph.D.
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Sense of wonder. Ambition. Scientific background.
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| Health Sciences | Hospitals, Clinics, Private Practice
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Health Sciences have become very broad. They now include doctors, nurses, physical therapists, dietitians, veterinarians, physician assistants, and many others. | B.S. M.S. M.D.
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Interest in helping people. Enjoy education.
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