Clinical Scientist
Job Description:Clinical scientists research and develop techniques and equipment to help prevent, diagnose and treat illness.
Job Category:What you will do:
There are 4 main areas of clinical science. You could work in clinical bioinformatics, life sciences, physical sciences and biomedical engineering or physiological sciences.
Depending on your area you could:
- research, develop and test methods of diagnosing and treatment
- collect and analyse complex data to help develop treatments
- assess different parts of the body to diagnose abnormalities
- advise medical staff of how to use products and equipment
- investigate the causes of illness or death
- study cells or diagnose and analyse blood disorders
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of biology
- maths knowledge
- science skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
As well as:
- complex problem-solving skills
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail (organisational skills)
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
Entry Requirements:
To become a clinical scientist, specific subjects are not typically required. However, a strong educational background in science and mathematics can be beneficial in preparing you for further education and training in this field. Here are some recommended subjects:
- Science: Science subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics can provide a strong foundation in the basic principles of science and laboratory techniques, which are essential for clinical scientists.
- Mathematics: Mathematics is important for data analysis, statistical interpretation, and understanding quantitative aspects of scientific research.
- English Language: Strong communication skills, including reading and writing, are important for documenting research findings and communicating with colleagues.
Post School
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
University
You’ll need a first or upper second class honours (2:1) degree in a subject related to the specialist area you want to work in. For example:
- life sciences like biology, genetics or biochemistry
- biomedical science
- medical physics
Scientific Training Programme
Once you have your degree, you could apply for a local Scientific Training Programme (STP). This programme will train you to become a qualified clinical scientist with a master’s degree.
Apprenticeship
You might be able to start by doing a higher or degree apprenticeship.
You could do a:
- healthcare science associate higher apprenticeship
- healthcare practitioner degree apprenticeship
- clinical science degree apprenticeship
Working Hours and Environment:
Typically you could work 38 to 40 hours a week, occasionally including evenings and weekends.
You could work in a public or private hospital, in a laboratory or at a university.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience you could:
- go on to study for a PhD
- apply for a Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme (HSST)
- become a consultant or move into management
- become a higher education lecturer