Looking to work in life sciences? Here’s a handy summary of the different jobs you will find in the life science sector:
Biomedical Scientist
Biotechnologist
Biochemist
Computational Biologist
Microbiologist
Clinical Research Associate
Industrial Pharmacist
Research Assistant
Bioinformatician
Job descriptions
Biomedical Scientist
Biomedical scientists examine medical samples, for example, of blood and tissue, helping doctors to diagnose and treat diseases. They use their knowledge and test results to advise and support doctors and other medical staff. Biomedical scientists need an in-depth knowledge of areas such as pathology, anatomy and physiology.
Find biomedical scientist opportunities here.
Biotechnologist
Biotechnologists combine biology, the science of living things, with technology. They research and develop the use of biology to solve problems in areas such as health care, the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, agriculture, food production and environmental protection
Find biotechnology opportunities here.
Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemistry of life. They investigate life’s processes at the level of molecules, using their knowledge to identify and solve biological problems. They research and develop new products and processes to benefit a wide range of areas, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, health care and agriculture.
Find biochemical opportunities here.
Computational Biologist
Computational biology involves the development and application of data-analytical and theoretical methods, mathematical modelling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological, behavioural, and social systems. The field is broadly defined and includes foundations in computer science, applied mathematics, animation, statistics, biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, ecology, evolution, anatomy, neuroscience, and visualization
Find computational biologist opportunities here.
Microbiologist
Microbiologists study the biology and chemistry of microbes. They apply their knowledge to solve problems in areas like agriculture, food production, the water industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and to manage and protect the environment.
Find microbiology opportunities here.
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical research associates organise and run trials to test the safety of new medicines and to see if they work well. They choose and set up sites where tests take place, supervise trials and monitor the quality of data from the trials.
Find clinical research associate opportunities here.
Industrial Pharmacist
Industrial pharmacists are involved in the discovery and development of safe, effective drugs and medicines. They can work at any stage of the process, including research, development, clinical trials, overseeing production, quality testing, marketing and applying to have the drug legally registered.
Find pharmacy opportunities here.
Research Assistant
A research assistant is a researcher employed, often on a temporary contract, by a university or a research institute, for the purpose of assisting in academic research. Research assistants are not independent and not directly responsible for the outcome of the research and are responsible to a supervisor or principal investigator. Research assistants are often educated to degree level and might be enrolled in a postgraduate degree program and simultaneously teach.
Find research assistant opportunities here.
Bioinformatician
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data. As an interdisciplinary field of science, bioinformatics combines computer science, statistics, mathematics, and engineering to study and process biological data.
Find bioinformatics roles here.
Find your Life Sciences job here.
Advice for applying for life sciences roles:
- Getting your post-PhD job during COVID-19
- Completing a Job Application
- 10-Step Checklist Before You Send Your Application
- 10 things NOT to do on your CV
It’s was helpful but can you help me to pick a career choice
Pick biotechnology
Wow these careers are so cool guys tnkx 4 help I was confused on which to choose
Thanks for help I didn’t know what to do
which subject should i choose… i want to so msc in london..but confuse what to choose in life sciences subjectss
Hi! I’m a grade 10 student who is interested in Chemistry and Life science, which degrees I can study for after matric. I’m confused
go for life sciences or biochemistry
Can a graduate of Life science study medicine?
Thanks
Hi Iam a post graduate in the life science
What about medical illustrator? Is it a good career ?
Can you help me i don’t know which carrer to choose
Hey I’m grade 12 learner interested in Life sciences and chemistry which career that may be suitable??
Which pass rate is necessary for the chemistry or %
Hii I’m in matric and I’m uneasy about what to study but I would like to do something involving life science
I want to be an anesthesiologist ,which subject should I choose,I am going to grade 10
Hi I’m a grade 12 learner who is interested in Biomedical Scientist
I’m just confused,I don’t know what to do
I don’t know what subjects to choose
Hi I’m a grade 9 learner who is interested in be and vetenarian and I cannot chose subjects and I cannot choose a career please help me
Hey I’m a grade 11 learner I’m confused I don’t know which job I must choose after matric.I like job that involves life science
Hey I’m a grade 9 learner who is interested in life science I have already chosen my subjects and life science was one of them but I can’t choose a career plz help.
Hello I’m in matric… I’m good in Life science and i want something to do with helping people that involve life science…… Which career can i choose
Heyyy I ‘m in matric …Am confused on which course to do …I enjoy life science .
Hy my name is nokuphila mbonambi i want to do courses for life science’s because i am good at it
Hi am a grade 12 learner
I’m also confused about my career choices
Hey I’m in grade 12 and I want to do medicine but I only studied life sciences and geography is it possible to do medicine?
Hy I have studied bsc in molecular and life sciences majoring in biochemistry and physiology now im confused on my way forward
Hy …I’m doing grade 10 and I have the following subjects ;life sciences, Math literacy and English can I study nursing with them
I have completed my bachelor’s in biotechnology.I now want to study masters but a bit confused in opting what to study further so that I can get a good job .
Hey I’m a grade 11 learner . I don’t know which which job I must choose after matric.I like a job that involves life Science
I do not know what I would like to do. I might like to be a veterinarian since I like animals. I am more interested in being a policeman.
Can i study Biomedical scientist with this subjects agric,life sciences,maths, Afrikaans
Hey i am a grade 11 learner and i don’t know which career should I choose after matric ..i am doing the following subject:pure math,life science,geography,history,and languages and also L.O
Can i be a microbiologist with only life science and absence of physical science and pure maths?
Hi, I’m a grade 10 learner. I chose pure math, life sciences, and physics. Please assist me in choosing a suitable career. Thanks
Hi I’m ain matric n I’m a little bit confused on how will I choose my subject in university but I really what something that involves life science
Can someone please help me pick a career that has life science and maths only without any physical science
Can someone please help me pick a career that has life science and maths only without any physical science