Working in Research
As a student at the University of York, you are likely to develop a range of research skills, whatever your degree subject and level of study.
These skills are valuable in many different contexts - from an academic career, to science and technology, policy making, media, arts and heritage, and more. For you, there may be an obvious direct link to some career paths, such as scientific research, social research or economics; or you may find these skills can be used in other types of work. Have a look at the sections below to consider where your research skills could take you, and find out about York graduates and others applying research skills in a variety of careers.
There may be an obvious career path for you or research may take you in a direction you hadn't expected. Watch From scientific researcher to police officer (6 mins).
Working in research - panel discussing options in and outside of academia, May 2021 (1 hour). Log into the VLE to watch this recording.
Find out more about an academic career at:
- Prospects job profiles
- York Profiles and Mentors
- Research Assistant in the National Institute of Education, Singapore
- Listen to our podcast: What do you actually do?! with
- JT Welsch, writer and lecturer, Department of English
- Aiden Heeley, PhD candidate in atmospheric chemistry
- Watch:
- academic careers stories on our YouTube channel
- Sophie Davies, Using scientific research skills in an educational research setting
- Vitae
- James Talks Research - YouTube channel for anyone interested in research
- UK Research and Innovation research careers
- York Graduate Research School careers page
Scientific research skills can be applied in a variety of settings, in industry, government or charity funded research centres, as well as academia. Find out more about science research careers at:
- Prospects job profiles
- Research scientist - Life sciences
- Research scientist - Maths
- Research scientist - Medical
- Research scientist - Physical sciences
- Clinical research associate (nursing, life sciences, medical science degrees)
- Science writer
- Geographical Information Systems Officer
- York Profiles and Mentors
- Research assistant (Psychology)
- Clinical scientist (Biochemistry, STP)
- Higher Scientific Officer, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (Biology, PhD Environmental Science)
- Marketing Communications Leader, GE Healthcare (PhD, Molecular Biology)
- Postdoc Researcher, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (PhD, Immunology)
- Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (PhD, Physics)
- Products research senior scientist at P&G
- Publisher, Company of Biologists (PhD, Molecular Biology)
- Catastrophe risk modeller (Biology/Ecology)
- Research coordinator, Cicely Saunders Institute (Psychology in Education)
- Research Physicist, Precision Acoustics
- Listen to our podcast: What do you actually do?! with
- Aiden Heeley, PhD candidate in atmospheric chemistry
- Stefan Sipika, Lab Process and Production Manager
- Tom Ronson, Process development chemist at pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca
- Watch:
- York graduate Emma, From Chemistry degree to Commercial Research Scientist
- Sophie Davies, Using scientific research skills in an educational research setting
- Prospects: Graduate jobs in science and pharmaceuticals
- TARGETjobs: Graduate jobs in science research and development
- Careers in the pharmaceutical sector (ABPI)
- Searching and applying for jobs on our Science careers resources page
Research skills, combined with practical technical skills, problem solving and analytical skills are needed in a range of technology careers, some of which may require a postgraduate qualification. Find out more at:
- Prospects job profiles
- York Profiles and Mentors
- KTP Associate Embedded systems engineer "KTP - midway between an academic career and an industrial one"
- Listen to our podcast: What do you actually do?! with
- Harpal Sahota, Data scientist
- Watch Ben Kirman (School of Arts and Creative Technologies) talk about research skills in creative technologies and academia.
Find out how research can play a part in finance and consultancy careers at:
- Prospects job profiles
- York Profiles and Mentors
Researching, analysing and interpreting data is vital to ensure efficiency and effective business and policy decisions. You can find out about possible careers in this area at:
- Prospects job profiles
- Listen to our podcast, What do you actually do?! with
- Harpal Sahota, Data scientist
If you've studied in arts and humanities, you are likely to have developed research skills and the ability to evaluate and communicate information, needed for careers involving research in the arts and heritage sector. Find out more at:
- Prospects job profiles
- York Profiles and Mentors
- Digital heritage consultant
- Archaeologist
- Director’s researcher in UAE
- Producer (History)
- BBC Audience researcher (Psychology)
- Listen to our podcast: What do you actually do? with
- Hannah Greig, Historical film adviser and academic
- Nicholas Gliserman, Historical adviser for video games
- Prospects: Information, research and analysis careers includes many jobs in the Arts and heritage sector requiring research skills
- Museums and heritage job sector page
- Arts and Humanities Research Council
Research is essential to inform policy making. Find out more at:
- Prospects job profiles
- York Profiles and Mentors
- Policy Analyst (Canada)
- Research Officer - and watch our Life After a Masters video with Chris (log into the VLE before clicking the link)
- Listen to our podcast: What do you actually do? with
- Andrew Gloag, talking about his placement year as a Political research assistant
- Politics and public affairs
- University of Oxford: think tanks
- Smart Thinking internships and graduates jobs in think tanks and policy
- The Market Research Society has career resources for market and social research
For information and ideas about research careers in media, or using research skills gained from your media-related degree, please see:
- Prospects job profiles
- Journalist
- Market researcher (see also Market Research Society careers information)
- Advertising account planner
- Media planner
- Media researcher
- York profiles and mentors
- Development Assistant Producer for factual TV shows
- Journalist
- Producer, historical TV shows
- Listen to our podcast: What do you actually do?! with
- Hannah Greig, Historical film adviser and academic
- Lucy Gilder, Journalism Researcher at the BBC
- Nicholas Gliserman, Historical adviser for video games
We hope this page has helped you to see the range of careers open to you, where you can use and develop your research skills. Here are some things to consider as you think about your next steps:
- What type of research skills do you have/are you developing?
- Are there any you need to develop?
- How do you want to use those skills? What type of things do you want to research? Which sectors interest you the most?
- What do you want the outcome/purpose of your research to be?
- Do you want it to be the main focus of your work or part of a wider job role?
Watch Careers Consultant, Janice Simpson, help you think through your next steps.
York Profiles and Mentors
We have listed some case studies from York Profiles and Mentors on this page. You can explore more of these by searching the profiles by department, sector or highest qualification depending on your area of interest. Many of the graduates are happy to be contacted by current York students if you have further questions.
Talk to us
If you would like to discuss your thoughts and plans with a careers consultant, please book an appointment.