Reimagine your career
Find your path into science
What does a career in science look like?
Common misconceptions in science...
All scientists wear white lab coats
You need a PhD to have a career in science
Science is only for people who love maths and numbers
Science jobs are all about working in labs, right?
There’s a lot of false assumptions about working in science, many believe that the only jobs that are available are in labs where you’ll spend your days conducting experiments in a white coat.
For some this may sound like a dream while for others it’s their worst nightmare, but the truth is the science sector is constantly evolving and offers a broad range of opportunities, many of which don’t involve test tubes or lab coats.
Our career pathways will allow you to understand the variety of roles within the science sector and find the right fit for you…
start your journey
career pathways
Inspiring
Encouraging young minds to pursue a career in science through collaboration with local schools.
To inspire the next generation to pursue careers in science, we will be working with all 88 schools across the Tay Cities region to improve accessibility to science with new career pathways and employment opportunities for their pupils.
We’ll be providing workshops and interactive sessions for schools to provide children with hands-on experience of what it means to be a scientist and allow pupils to gain a better understanding of the broad range of roles on offer within this exciting sector.
Aspiring
Kick-start your science career with Apprenticeships, Work Placements & Further Education.
Working with Tayside’s science sectors, we are helping aspiring scientists to find their future in the industry by developing new career pathways and employment opportunities within the area.
Our aim is to equip students with the technical skills they need to excel by delivering practical, industry-focused courses, increasing Modern Apprenticeships places and providing relevant work placements through our partners, University of Dundee, Abertay University and The James Hutton Institute.
Upskilling
Empower your workforce with tailored training and skill development programs in the science sector.
Whether you’re a business struggling with a skills shortage or an employee looking for ways to progress in your career, we’ll help you to upskill and develop the technical skills you need.
Our courses provide opportunities for growth as upskilling can lead to improvements in productivity, employee satisfaction and job retention, all of which will allow your business to thrive.
With industry-led training and state-of-the-art equipment, our aim is to fill the skills gap within Tayside’s science sector, by providing a highly skilled, industry-ready workforce tailored to the needs of local businesses.
Retraining
Revitalise your career - transition to an exciting new role by exploring our science pathways.
Looking for a fresh start? For those looking to change careers, we’re pleased to offer a variety of courses that will give you the foundation level that you’ll need for a successful career in the science sector.
Science Futures will provide you with the practical knowledge and technical skills you’ll need to succeed in your new career.
Our intensive SWAP Access courses have been carefully designed for adult learners to provide you with the necessary academic and practical skills required to pursue a career in science.
EMERGING SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES IN TAYSIDE
With access to one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals and several world-class research facilities, Tayside provides an abundance of opportunities for those looking to pursue a career in science.
Science Futures is particularly focused on developing accessibility and technical skills for the region’s growing Life Sciences sector.
What are life sciences?
Life sciences are all about studying living things like plants, animals, and people, as well as how they work and interact with each other and their environment.
This broad field includes different areas like genetics, which looks at traits passed down through generations, and microbiology, which studies tiny organisms like bacteria.
Life sciences help us understand how living things function and how we can use that knowledge to make a global impact by improving things like medicine, health care, farming, and the environment.
potential careers
Marine Biologist
Microbiologist
Food Scientist
Laboratory Technician
Veterinary Surgeon
Agricultural Engineer
Geneticist
Pharmacologist
Clinical Engineer
Did you know?
You do not need to work in a laboratory to work in the life sciences industry
There are plenty of opportunities with 133,000 new jobs expected to be created in the UK Life Sciences sector by 2030 *
You could make a global impact as the world’s top 25 biopharmaceutical companies and top 30 medical technology companies have operations in the UK *
*Science Industry Partnership
Sciences of the future
Tayside is home to a variety of flourishing Life Sciences sectors such as Biotechnology, Medical Technology, and Agricultural Technology.
Until now, there has been no dedicated courses that were locally aligned to these sectors, resulting in a skills gap for local businesses.
Science Futures is offering a range of courses to resolve this and develop a strong, highly skilled workforce that will enable the region’s science sector and wider local economy to thrive.
Tap to find out more:
What impact could I make?
Develop vaccines for diseases like hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and COVID-19.- Produce biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which offer renewable alternatives to fossil fuels and help mitigate climate change.
- Analyse DNA evidence, identify suspects in criminal investigations, and can help to establish paternity or ancestry.
Potential Roles
What impact could I make?
Here are some ways MedTech can be used:
- Improve the quality of life for amputees: Meditech has made significant advancements in prosthetics, with modern artificial limbs featuring advanced materials, sensors, and microprocessors that mimic natural movement.
- 3D Printing is being used to create custom implants, prosthetics, surgical guides, and even organs and tissues for transplantation, offering personalised and precise solutions for patients.
- Remote health monitoring: Has led to the development of wearable devices such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and continuous glucose monitors, which allow individuals to monitor their health in real-time and make informed decisions about their well-being.
Potential Roles
What impact could I make?
Here are some ways Agri-Tech can be used:
- Optimise crop yields, reducing waste and resource inputs by using technologies like drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence to address global food security.
- Vertical Farming enables crops to be grown in vertically stacked layers indoors, using controlled environments and LED lighting to maximise space and efficiency.
- Monitor soil conditions, crop health, and weather patterns in real-time, allowing farmers to make more informed decisions and implement sustainable farming practices.
Potential Roles