Are you looking for academic jobs in biological sciences?
A higher education recruitment trend report by jobs.ac.uk found that biological science is one of our top categories for advertised academic jobs. This series of posts focuses on academic careers in the Biological Sciences sector and showcases an exciting range of lecturing, research and senior-level academic jobs.
Biological scientists are dedicated to the study of life and the preservation of life. From biochemistry to zoology, academics in this sector play a key role in researching and developing new drugs and medical treatments, improving agricultural methods and food security and advancing the use of sustainable materials.
In the UK, applications to biological sciences degree programmes have seen an increase in recent years, with students attracted to the extensive range of research and professional career opportunities in the biosciences industries and academia.
To meet demand, higher education competes globally to attract the top academic talent to the sector. You might be a research scientist seeking your next project or perhaps you have just finished a biological sciences PhD and want to pursue a lecturing career in a university. Whatever stage of your biological sciences career, you will find that the sector offers myriad opportunities to those wishing to use their research and teaching skills in an academic role.
Here we look at how the Biological Sciences sector is structured, the jobs available and the opportunities to progress your academic career.
Biological sciences disciplines:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry combines biology and chemistry to understand living organisms at a molecular level. It provides the foundation for medical and scientific breakthroughs in health and medicine, the environment, pharmaceuticals and food production.
Biochemists work in universities, government departments and public bodies, research institutes and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries worldwide.
To keep pace with this rapidly-changing discipline and increasing interest in biochemistry, the higher education sector is keen to hire biochemists with both academic and professional experience who can deliver high-quality teaching and research.
You will find biochemistry lecturing and research jobs in fields such as:
- Structural biology
- Molecular biology
- Biotechnology
- Enzymology
- Synthetic biology
- Molecular genetics
- Immunology
For a closer look at the types of academic jobs available in biochemistry, check out our series of posts covering lecturing, research and senior-level jobs.
Lecturing jobs in Biochemistry
Research jobs in Biochemistry
Senior-level academic jobs in Biochemistry
Biology
Biology is a vast academic field reaching across sciences, medicine and engineering. Degree programmes in biology offer a broad and deep understanding of the study of living systems and the rapid scientific and technological advances happening in this ever-expanding subject area.
Biology academics deliver specialist teaching at all levels and undertake innovative multi-disciplinary research and collaboration.
You will find biology lecturing and research jobs in fields such as:
- Cell and molecular biology
- Genetics
- Ecology and ecosystems
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Evolutionary biology
- Marine biology
To find out about the different types of academic jobs available in biology, take a look at our series of posts covering lecturing, research and senior-level jobs.
Lecturing jobs in Biology
Research jobs in Biology
Senior-level academic jobs in Biology
Botany
One of the world’s oldest sciences, botany (or plant science) is a branch of biology that focuses on the structure and properties of plant life.
Botany academics teach highly-specialised modules and courses while also undertaking collaborative research and fieldwork.
You will find specialist lecturing and research jobs in botany in areas such as:
- Applied plant science
- Plant biotechnology
- Biochemistry
- Ecology
- Agriculture/agronomy
- Microbiology
For more information about academic jobs in botany, take a look at our series of profiles covering lecturing, research and senior-level opportunities.
Lecturing jobs in Botany
Research jobs in Botany
Senior-level academic jobs in Botany
Genetics
Genetics is the study of gene structure and function and how this knowledge can be harnessed to fight and prevent disease.
Academics working in genetics teach undergraduate and postgraduate students in schools or faculties of biological/life sciences and medicine. They also contribute to and lead progressive and vital genetics research in a variety of settings.
You will find a wide range of teaching and research opportunities in genetics in areas such as:
- Cell and molecular biosciences
- Human genetics
- Genomics
- Genetic engineering
- Biotechnology
- Biomedicine
- Evolutionary biology
- Bioinformatics
For a closer look at the types of academic jobs available in genetics, check out our series of posts covering lecturing, research and senior-level jobs.
Lecturing jobs in Genetics
Research jobs in Genetics
Senior-level academic jobs in Genetics
Microbiology
Microbiology focuses on the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi and the role they play in health, nutrition and the environment.
Research in this area has never been more important, from the study of how coronaviruses affect human health to the discovery of waste-eating bacteria to help in the fight against climate change and pollution.
Microbiology academics teach undergraduate and postgraduate students across multiple disciplines while carrying out ground-breaking global research and development.
You will find a wide range of teaching and research opportunities in microbiology in areas such as:
- Molecular biology
- Biodiversity
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Virology
- Gene/Genome regulation
- Evolutionary Microbiology
To find out about the different types of academic jobs available in microbiology, take a look at our series of posts covering lecturing, research and senior-level jobs.
Lecturing jobs in Microbiology
Research jobs in Microbiology
Senior-level academic jobs in Microbiology
Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Molecular biology and biophysics are focused on understanding life on a molecular level and the biological interactions and processes of the molecules of living organisms.
Academics in molecular biology and biophysics teach undergraduate and postgraduate students across biological sciences disciplines to prepare them for a research and development career within a wide range of sectors. They also undertake pivotal and translational research which is key to understanding and fighting disease.
You will find a wide range of academic, teaching, and research opportunities in molecular biology and biophysics in areas such as:
- Structural biology/Cell biology
- Genomics
- Biochemistry
- Proteomics
- Systems biology
- Neuroscience
- Cancer biology
- Computational biology
For a closer look at the types of academic jobs available in molecular biology and biophysics, check out our series of posts covering lecturing, research and senior-level jobs.
Lecturing jobs in Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Research jobs in Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Senior-level academic jobs in Molecular Biology and Biophysics
Zoology
Zoology is the scientific study of animals. It combines biology, genetics, environmental science and animal behaviour and psychology to conserve and improve animal life and habitats.
Academics teach specialist courses and field-based programmes in zoology across biological sciences at undergraduate and postgraduate, while also carrying out collaborative research.
You will find a wide range of academic, teaching and research opportunities in areas such as:
- Evolutionary biology
- Marine biology
- Conservation biology
- Animal genetics
- Behavioural ecology
- Wildlife ecology and management
- Taxonomy
For more information about academic jobs in zoology, take a look at our series of posts profiling lecturing, research and senior-level jobs.
Lecturing jobs in Zoology
Research jobs in Zoology
Senior-level academic jobs in Zoology
At jobs.ac.uk, we’re dedicated to helping you find the right academic or professional services job, PhD studentship or further education role. Take a look around the rest of our Career Advice section for help with applications, writing the best academic CV or getting advice from experienced colleagues already working in your field.
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