What’s happening in the industry?
Science in the UK is very strong and UK scientists are recognised for their skills around the world. Research and development (R & D), biotechnology and environmental science are the areas where the most opportunities can be found.
Some companies, especially in the pharmaceuticals industry, merge together to make larger companies and this can often mean redundancies. However, the result of this means that sometimes, smaller companies are formed that look at very specialised areas of research.
Research into new drugs - bioscience and pharmacology - is an area that's developing fast as is climate science and people with the right skills will be in demand. Because of the global nature of science, the ability to speak more than one language will be an advantage.
The UK is a world leader in space technology and science. Around 19,000 people work in this sector and it's growing fast. UK teams are involved in dozens of missions, from spacecraft orbiting other planets to the many satellites monitoring the Earth. Space technology is also used in weather forecasting, pollution mapping, satellite TV, global communications and satellite navigation. The industry employs people highly skilled in science, information technology, engineering and mathematics. According to the government, the space sector has grown at a rate of 9% a year since 2000.
There is also a shortage of people available to teach science and maths and 6,600 science teachers are needed over the next two years. (Find out more from the Training and Development Agency and watch the You Tube video).
See the 'Notts Info' section for what's happening locally.
Last updated April 2010
