Exploring Careers beyond Labs for Life Sciences Graduates

Graduates in life sciences have a wide variety of career opportunities available in front of them satisfying vivid interests. Mostly people have a misconception that these career opportunities are lab-based. This misconception stays invalid as there are ample of opportunities which doesn’t involves working in labs. Let’s explore some of these.

1. Science Communications

Science Communications is making scientific concepts accessible to everyone via blogs, journalism, visual tools, digital media etc .

How to begi n?

· Take short courses to build skills in science writing and journalism, communications and digital med ia.

· Create a portfo lio.

· Gain practical experi ence.

Common Job Roles:

· Scientific Writer

· Editor

· Blogger

Entry-level pay scale in India :2-4 LPA

2. Regulat ory Affairs

Profession in regulatory affairs ensures that the products and services are safe and effective as per regulations.

How to begin?

· Complete certifications in regu latory affairs

· Gain indu strial exposure

C ommon Job Roles:

· Regulatory affairs executive

· Regulatory affairs specialist

· Regulat ory affairs manager

Entry level pay scale i n India: 2.5-4 LPA

3. Public Health

A career in public health involves improvement in health of communities by identifying health issues, enhancing health services and focusing on pr evention of dis eases.

How to begin?

· Pursue a Masters degree in Public Health.

· Develop skills in the particular interested do main under public hea lth.

Common Job Roles:

· Epidemiologist

· Biostatistician

· Program Coordinator

· Research Assistant

Entry-lev el pay scale in India:3-6 LPA

4. Inte llectual Property Rights (IPR)

A career in IPR deals with the protection of innovations getting pla giarized via rig hts for the same.

How to begin?

· Pursue a PG diploma in IPR offere d by various law colleges in India.

· Take short term certificate courses on Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks etc.

· Attempt Patent Ag ent Examination.

Com mon Job Roles

· IP Analyst

· IP Consultant

· IP Lawyers

· Patent Agents

Entry level pay scale i n India:3-5 LPA

5. Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics involves use of software tools to analyze, interpret and manage larg e and complex biological data.

How to begin?

· Pursue short term courses or Masters in Bioinformatics.

· Develop ski lls through practical exposure.

Common Job Roles

· Bioinf ormatics Analyst

· Computational Biologist

· NGS Specialist

Entry level pay scale in India:3-6 LPA

There are many other non-lab career options apart from those mentioned in this post for life science graduates.

Are you aware of other non-l ab career opportunities? If yes, please do comment below.

MBH/PS