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Research scientist (medical)

Working as a medical research scientist means you'll be contributing to important developments in the world of medicine

As a medical research scientist, one of your aims will be to increase the body of scientific knowledge on topics related to medicine. You will do this by planning and conducting experiments and sharing your results.

You may also use your research to develop new, or improve existing, drugs, treatments or other medically-related products.

You can find work in higher education institutions, research institutes, hospitals, industry and medical research charities. The type of research you can carry out is wide ranging from from investigating the underlying basis of health or disease, to conducting clinical research and investigating methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disorders.

It's also possible for you to carry out molecular level research. This may involve using appropriate cell and animal models, or human volunteers may be used to study the clinical effects of various factors.

Responsibilities

Roles vary depending on the setting, but much of the work is laboratory-based. In general you'll need to:

• plan and conduct experiments and analyse or interpret the results
• keep accurate records of work undertaken
• use specialist computer software to analyse data and to produce diagrammatic representation of results
• write and submit applications and progress reports to funding bodies that support medical research (outside industry)
• discuss research progress with other departments, e.g. production and marketing (in industry)
• constantly consider the profit/loss potential of research products (in industry)
• collaborate with industry, research institutes, hospitals and academia
• teach and supervise students (in some higher education roles).

You'll often need to disseminate the results of your work to others, which means you'll:

• carry out presentations or discussions at team meetings with colleagues
• prepare presentations and deliver these at national and international scientific conferences
• write original papers for publication in peer-reviewed medical or scientific journals. In industry, there is usually less pressure to publish.

It's also important to stay in touch with developments and advances in your field and so you'll need to:

• read relevant scientific literature and journals
• attend scientific meetings and conferences in order to hear presentations from other researchers and participate in informal discussions with scientists from other parts of the world.
• If you're doing a PhD and have been awarded a studentship, it will usually come with a tax-free stipend to help cover living costs. This is currently at least £18,622 if funded by UKRI. Some institutions may award higher amounts or you may receive more if you’re industry funded or based in London.
• If you've completed a PhD, you may start on £25,000 to £40,000 a year, depending on your specialist subject and experience.
• Senior researchers and university professors earn in the region of £50,000 to £75,000 a year or more.

For current details on PhD studentship stipends, see UKRI - Studentships and Doctoral Training .

The majority of academic institutions in the UK have now implemented a single pay spine for all grades of staff. Pay varies according to whether you're leader of your own research group, part of a team of researchers or whether you've secured a lectureship while continuing your research.

Pay is usually higher in industry and the private sector.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Your hours will vary depending on your setting. In academia in particular, there may be some flexibility with your start and finish times. Due to the nature of experimental work, hours can be irregular and may require some evening or weekend work.

You may be required to work longer hours when grant application deadlines are looming or an important experiment is underway. Overtime tends to be paid in industry but is unusual in academia.

What to expect

• Work is mainly laboratory-based with some time spent in the office planning and writing up experiments. Some positions may require field work.
• With career progression, the work becomes more office-based with a focus on writing grant applications, collaborating with other scientists, supervising staff, planning experiments, writing papers for publication and reviewing papers.
• Care and attention to detail is required as work can involve contact with potentially toxic or radioactive materials.
• Working with animals or animal-derived products, such as embryonic stem cells, may form part of the research, which will be an ethical dilemma for some. See the arguments at Understanding Animal Research .
• Travel is sometimes required, as you'll often collaborate with other institutions. Some national and international travel is needed for attendance at conferences to present the results of your research and to keep up to date with research findings from peers. Travel typically becomes more frequent with career progression.
• Initiatives are in place in various sectors to encourage equality, inclusion and diversity within medical research. UKRI has equality, diversity and inclusion policies and guidance with the aim to create a dynamic system of research and innovation in the UK.

Qualifications

You'll need a good honours degree in a medical or life science subject to become a medical researcher. Relevant subjects include:

• biochemistry
• biomedical sciences
• medical microbiology
• molecular biology
• pharmacology
• physiology.

Many areas of medical research now also look for graduates in chemistry, physics or statistics/bioinformatics, so you can be successful if you have a degree in one of these subjects.

Most people entering this field have or will be working towards a research-based MSc or a PhD. This is particularly important for higher level positions and career progression without a PhD (particularly in academia) is likely to be limited.

You may be able to enter with just your degree and no postgraduate qualification if you also have some significant laboratory experience but you'll typically still need a PhD to then progress.

Direct entry to a research scientist role with an HND or foundation degree only is not possible. With either of these qualifications, you may be able to enter at technician level, but you'll need to take further qualifications to become a medical researcher. Some employers allow you to study while working part time.

Funding is made available to research institutions via the Medical Research Council (MRC). This is then passed on to students in the form of scholarships, bursaries and studentships. Contact the individual institution to find out more about the funding options.

You'll need to show:

• technical, scientific and numerical skills
• good written and oral communication skills for report writing and presenting findings
• genuine enjoyment of the research subject
• a methodical approach to work with good planning skills
• tenacity and patience when carrying out experiments
• the ability to work well in teams and to network and forge links with collaborators
• problem-solving skills and analytical thinking
• attention to detail.

Work experience

Laboratory experience and knowledge of the range of techniques used will improve your chances of finding a research appointment. Experience can be achieved through either a placement year in industry or vacation work experience in academia or industry.

You could make speculative applications to potential academic supervisors to ask for work experience or shadowing opportunities. You may also want to consider getting experience within both industry and academia so you can see how the different sectors vary and where your preference lies.

Funding for placements and projects may be available through:

• Nuffield Foundation

You should also try to keep up to date with developments in the medical field and the Medical Research Council (MRC) can help with this.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

There are various employers in medical research, including:

• industry (especially pharmaceutical companies)
• non-governmental and voluntary bodies
• medical research charities
• research councils, especially the Medical Research Council (MRC)
• universities.

Work outside industry is usually funded by the government through the allocation of research funding to universities, research councils and hospitals.

Medical research also receives extensive financial support from charitable bodies that fund specific research into their areas of interest.

Opportunities are also available through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) . This is a joint project between a graduate, an organisation and a 'knowledge base', such as a university or a research organisation, which allows PhD graduates to apply research in a commercial environment.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Nature Jobs
• New Scientist Jobs
• Times Higher Education Uni Jobs

University websites advertise vacancies too.

Specialist recruitment agencies are used within the scientific community. These include:

• Cranleigh Scientific

Professional development

If you're studying for a PhD while being employed in a medical research post, you'll be supported by a supervisor. Your institution is likely to provide additional training or you can access this through Vitae , which helps to support the professional development of researchers.

You'll need to keep up to date with developments in your field throughout your career and continuing professional development (CPD) is very important for this.

Technical training, either self-taught or from more experienced scientists, will allow you to learn new laboratory techniques. It's also common to visit other labs to be taught techniques that are already established elsewhere.

You'll be expected to attend conferences on a regular basis to hear about scientific advances and new research techniques. On occasion, you'll be required to present your own work.

Training may be more structured in industry and it may be possible for you to develop your own training programme with guidance from a mentor.

Membership of a professional organisation is useful for support throughout your career and to help with CPD. Many professional bodies have their own learning and training schemes and can help with how your record your CPD activities. You can also work towards professional qualifications or chartered status as you gain experience.

Relevant bodies include:

• Royal Society of Biology

Career prospects

Career structures vary between sectors. In academia, once you've completed your PhD, it's likely you'll enter a postdoctoral position. These are normally short-term contracts of up to three years.

Career progression is related to the success of your research project(s), the quality and quantity of original papers you publish and your success in attracting funding. Building up experience in laboratory specialties can also help. With experience, you can progress to senior research fellow or professor and can one day manage your own team.

You'll usually have to undertake a few short-term contracts before you have a chance of securing a much sought-after permanent position in academic science. There are often teaching duties attached to these positions and opportunities are limited with high levels of competition.

Career development tends to be more structured in industry, hospitals or research institutes and involves taking on increased responsibilities, such as supervising and managing projects.

With experience and a successful track record, you can move into senior research and management roles. It's also be possible in some industrial companies to move into other functions, such as production, quality assurance, HR or marketing.

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Medical Scientist

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.

Medical scientists typically do the following:

• Design and conduct studies to investigate human diseases and methods to prevent and treat diseases
• Prepare and analyze data from medical samples and investigate causes and treatment of toxicity, pathogens, or chronic diseases
• Standardize drugs' potency, doses, and methods of administering to allow for their mass manufacturing and distribution
• Create and test medical devices
• Follow safety procedures, such as decontaminating workspaces
• Write research grant proposals and apply for funding from government agencies, private funding, and other sources
• Write articles for publication and present research findings

Medical scientists form hypotheses and develop experiments. They study the causes of diseases and other health problems in a variety of ways. For example, they may conduct clinical trials, working with licensed physicians to test treatments on patients who have agreed to participate in the study. They analyze data from the trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

Some medical scientists choose to write about and publish their findings in scientific journals after completion of the clinical trial. They also may have to present their findings in ways that nonscientist audiences understand.

Medical scientists often lead teams of technicians or students who perform support tasks. For example, a medical scientist may have assistants take measurements and make observations for the scientist’s research.

Medical scientists usually specialize in an area of research, with the goal of understanding and improving human health outcomes. The following are examples of types of medical scientists:

Clinical pharmacologists  research new drug therapies for health problems, such as seizure disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical pathologists   research the human body and tissues, such as how cancer progresses or how certain issues relate to genetics.

Toxicologists  study the negative impacts of chemicals and pollutants on human health.

Medical scientists conduct research to better understand disease or to develop breakthroughs in treatment. For information about an occupation that tracks and develops methods to prevent the spread of diseases, see the profile on epidemiologists.

Medical scientists held about 119,200 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of medical scientists were as follows:

Medical scientists typically work in offices and laboratories. In the lab, they sometimes work with dangerous biological samples and chemicals. They must take precautions in the lab to ensure safety, such as by wearing protective gloves, knowing the location of safety equipment, and keeping work areas neat.

Work Schedules

Most medical scientists work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Medical scientists typically have a Ph.D., usually in biology or a related life science. Some get a medical degree instead of, or in addition to, a Ph.D.

Medical scientists typically need a Ph.D. or medical degree. Candidates sometimes qualify for positions with a master’s degree and experience. Applicants to master’s or doctoral programs typically have a bachelor's degree in biology or a related physical science field, such as chemistry.

Ph.D. programs for medical scientists typically focus on research in a particular field, such as immunology, neurology, or cancer. Through laboratory work, Ph.D. students develop experiments related to their research.

Medical degree programs include Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), and advanced nursing degrees. In medical school, students usually spend the first phase of their education in labs and classrooms, taking courses such as anatomy, biochemistry, and medical ethics. During their second phase, medical students typically participate in residency programs.

Some medical scientist training programs offer dual degrees that pair a Ph.D. with a medical degree. Students in dual-degree programs learn both the research skills needed to be a scientist and the clinical skills needed to be a healthcare practitioner.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Medical scientists primarily conduct research and typically do not need licenses or certifications. However, those who practice medicine, such as by treating patients in clinical trials or in private practice, must be licensed as physicians or other healthcare practitioners.

Medical scientists with a Ph.D. may begin their careers in postdoctoral research positions; those with a medical degree often complete a residency. During postdoctoral appointments, Ph.D.s work with experienced scientists to learn more about their specialty area and improve their research skills. Medical school graduates who enter a residency program in their specialty generally spend several years working in a hospital or doctor’s office.

Medical scientists typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Creating interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Creating interest area indicates a focus on being original and imaginative, and working with artistic media.

If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Creating interest which might fit with a career as a medical scientist, you can take a career test to measure your interests.

Medical scientists should also possess the following specific qualities:

Communication skills. Communication is critical, because medical scientists must be able to explain their conclusions. In addition, medical scientists write grant proposals, which are often required to continue their research.

Critical-thinking skills. Medical scientists must use their expertise to determine the best method for solving a specific research question.

Data-analysis skills. Medical scientists use statistical techniques, so that they can properly quantify and analyze health research questions.

Decision-making skills. Medical scientists must use their expertise and experience to determine what research questions to ask, how best to investigate the questions, and what data will best answer the questions.

Observation skills. Medical scientists conduct experiments that require precise observation of samples and other health data. Any mistake could lead to inconclusive or misleading results.

The median annual wage for medical scientists was $95,310 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,100, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $166,980.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for medical scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 10,000 openings for medical scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. 

Demand for medical scientists will stem from greater demand for a variety of healthcare services as the population continues to age and rates of chronic disease continue to increase. These scientists will be needed for research into treating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, and problems related to treatment, such as resistance to antibiotics. In addition, medical scientists will continue to be needed for medical research as a growing population travels globally and facilitates the spread of diseases.

The availability of federal funds for medical research grants also may affect opportunities for these scientists.

For more information about research specialties and opportunities within specialized fields for medical scientists, visit

American Association for Cancer Research

American Physician Scientists Association

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science

American Society for Clinical Pathology

American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

The Gerontological Society of America

Infectious Diseases Society of America

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Society for Neuroscience

Society of Toxicology

Where does this information come from?

The career information above is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook . This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database.

I would like to cite this page for a report. Who is the author?

There is no published author for this page. Please use citation guidelines for webpages without an author available. 

I think I have found an error or inaccurate information on this page. Who should I contact?

This information is taken directly from the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Truity does not editorialize the information, including changing information that our readers believe is inaccurate, because we consider the BLS to be the authority on occupational information. However, if you would like to correct a typo or other technical error, you can reach us at [email protected] .

I am not sure if this career is right for me. How can I decide?

There are many excellent tools available that will allow you to measure your interests, profile your personality, and match these traits with appropriate careers. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz .

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