Biosciences PhD

If I gain a postgraduate research degree in this area, what are my career prospects?

Birmingham’s Bioscience graduates develop transferable skills that are useful in many occupations. These include experience with a variety of modern research methods; the ability to manage and analyse large and diverse quantities of information; the ability to organise information in a logical and coherent manner; analysing and evaluating complex information; and making reasoned arguments, both orally, in meetings, conferences and other presentations, and in written work. There are many careers where a bioscience qualification is useful and past graduates have entered areas including ecology, laboratory research in a number of different fields, clinical science, recruitment, and commercial management. Some of our PhD graduates also continue onto successful careers in academic research and teaching.

What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in this department?

The College of Life and Environmental Sciences, to which the School of Biosciences belongs, has specially designated careers advisors and careers consultants who can provide guidance for doctoral researchers on career paths, CVs, training opportunities, application and interviews. The University’s central Careers Network also runs workshops and offers personally tailored advice and guidance including 1-1 careers advice and 1-1 CV advice. Careers Network also runs CV writing workshops especially for postgraduates, giving advice on how to compile CVs for both employment and for academic roles.

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.