Advice before choosing to do Science MRes/PhD

M

Hey all, new member here. I have recently just graduated with completing a Biological Sciences degree and have a lot of trouble securing employment. There's a few research positions geared towards graduates I applied for and I'm awaiting their response in addition to previously doing voluntarily lab experience which I'm planning to continue if nothing else seems to be happening from next week.

I have been reading a lot of the stability and I'm aware of the lack of jobs/opportunities for scientific research which is what I wanted to get into. I'd rather prefer to get a research job prior to a degree in masters research for the experience that it provides plus networking and making contacts. Right now, I'm in the position is I'm not sure what to do. I feel completely stuck, I only got interested in scientific research in my final year and the best move I made was to intern for a bit and also my masters got pushed back otherwise I'd be starting in a month (frustratingly). Any advice for an aspiring research scientist, I'd be very grateful. Thanks

T

When you say you want to work in research, what exactly do you mean?

Do you want to work in a lab, for example as a technician? Or do you intend to do a PhD at some point?

To be honest, there are so many PhD qualified people that want a job in research, it's hard for you to compete with them for research positions with only an undergrad degree.

I wouldn't worry about getting research experience (you've already got some) and you can network and get contacts whilst doing a MSc. It will be harder for you to do this anyway without a MSc because if you are just doing work in a lab you won't be going to conferences or presenting your work anywhere so it's not really much advantage to you.

If you have to wait to start a MSc, then carry on trying to get lab experience if you want, but it won't harm you if you get a non-science job either (coming from someone who took a 5 year break between MSc and PhD and now works as a postdoc).

M

Thanks for helping TreeofLife, to be honest I'm not entirely sure myself. Initially when I finished my degree, as I really enjoyed the dissertation, it's what I wanted to do which is lab work plus publications, in which I understand the route to go through is MRes/MSc then PhD. However, I've been reading a lot and realise how difficult it is to settle into a career with doing post-doc positions which are so highly competitive already and therefore has led many people to misery. I have not been able to secure a job in research assistance holding a Bsc as you said, it's simply just not enough.

T

If you want a career in research, these jobs aren't too difficult to find with a MSc. There's plenty of research jobs around to be honest, the problem is most PhD graduates actually want a job in academia, and it's these that are hard to find.

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