The life science branch is gaining a lot of importance in recent years. The life science industry is in need of skilled professionals. There are many job roles and careers available for M.Sc Life Science students, but here are some of the important roles available for students. These roles offer good career growth and better salary packages
The present article tries to discuss a few of such roles in detail.
Marine Biologist
Marine biology basically involves the study of sea and its complex ecosystems, and is one of the most popular careers chosen by many M.Sc Life Science students. As a Marine Biologist one is responsible to study about the life of sea creatures and their effects on the environment.
Role of a Marine Biologist
As a Marine Biologist one is responsible to study all the aspects of life in the sea and the environment on which it depends. This includes marine plants, animals and other organisms both vertebrate and invertebrate in deep oceans, shallow seas and also in laboratories.
Duties of a Marine Biologist
As a Marine Biologist one is responsible for:
- Conducting species inventories, testing and monitoring sea creatures exposed to pollutants
- Collecting samples and data using processes such as coring techniques, geographic information systems (GIS), visual recording and sampling
- Analysing samples in a lab and developing new research theories from them
- Preserving specimens and samples of unknown species and diseases and mapping the distribution, ranges or movements of marine population
- Scuba diving to survey endangered organisms and implementing preservation strategies
- Designing scientific experiments and collating findings
- Preparing detailed reports for agencies, funders, commercial organisations, governmental bodies
- Carrying out environmental impact assessments evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, including socio-economic, cultural and human health impacts
Skills required for a Marine Biologist
To become a successful Marine Biologist, one requires the following skills:
- A passion for knowledge of the marine world
- A thirst for discovery and making a difference to future generations
- An interest in travelling for foreign field work and living abroad
- Flexibility to work short term contracts with variable hours and on varied projects
- Adaptability to live in basic living conditions in minimalist environments to work in all types of weather and to live abroad on research vessels
- Interpersonal skills to work with a variety of people from local fisherman and government officials to activists and professors
- Strong teamwork skills, whether working as part of a research team in a laboratory or an expedition team at sea
- Experience in practical areas such as scuba diving boat handling and first aid
Conservation officer
The Conservation officer is responsible to encourage others to enjoy and protect the environment. He/she has to create awareness about environmental conservation and ensure that everyone follows the same.
Role of a Conservation Officer
As a conservation officer, one will work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment. This can include grassland, woodland, forests, coastal areas, mountains and rivers depending upon the region they work.
Duties of a Conservation officer
As a Conservation officer, one is needed to:
- Educate all sectors of the local community including local schools and colleges and raise awareness of environmental issues and nature conservation work
- Promote and implement local and national biodiversity action plans in partnership with local and national statutory and voluntary organisations including input into environmental impact assessments
- Prepare and implement annual management plans based on ecological surveys and scientific observation
- Evaluate and monitor features of nature conservation interest in habitats
- Maintain and develop your own knowledge and skills especially with regard to the knowledge of developments in policy, legislation and international regulations
- Promote concept of sustainability to the public, colleagues and fellow professionals
Skills required to become a Conservation Officer
In order to become a conservation officer, one will need the following skills:
- Should have good administrative and IT skills
- Communicate effectively through talks and presentations
- Produce literature such as brochures, leaflets, handouts etc to create awareness about environment conservation among the masses
- Should be confident to take initiatives towards environmental conservation
- Should have good knowledge of geographical information systems (GIS), various pollutants that cause environmental pollution
Anatomical Pathology technologists
The anatomical pathology technologists assist with the post-mortem examinations and ensure that the families of the deceased receive the highest level of support and justice.
Role of an Anatomical Pathology Technologists
As an anatomical pathologists one will be working in mortuaries assisting pathologists conducting post-mortem examinations. They will take and deliver samples of tissues and fluids which will help to identify the cause of death. They are also required to reconstruct and clean the body afterwards to the highest standard, so that it can be viewed by loved ones.
Duties of an Anatomical Pathology Technologists
As an anatomical pathology technologist, one is responsible to:
- Receive the deceased and place them into refrigerated storage
- Record the identity of the deceased
- Take samples and specimens, weigh organs as they are removed and make a record of findings during the post mortem examination
- Ensure equipment, instruments and rooms are clean and appropriately kept
- Sterilise instruments and make sure they are ready to use
- Clean the deceased and reconstruct ready for release to the undertaker
- Deliver training on mortuary policies and procedures
Skills required for Anatomical Pathology technologists
As an Anatomical Pathology technologist, one should have the following skills:
- Excellent attention to detail
- The ability to work well under pressure
- A good knowledge of anatomy
- A good understanding of health and safety
- Interpersonal skills and empathy for offering information and support to the bereaved in a respectful and compassionate manner
- Initiative and the ability to work independently
- Team working skills for working with pathologists and coordinating with other professionals such as the police, doctors etc
Zoologist
As a Zoologist one is responsible to work both indoors in labs and also fields in the outdoors. As a Zoologist one is responsible to study the behaviour of the animals and try to bring down the gap between animals and humans and achieve a sustainable living on this planet.
Role of a Zoologist
As a Zoologist one is responsible to study animal behaviour including evolution, anatomy, physiology, behaviour, distribution and classification of animals. The zoologists study species and population of animals and work with animals out in the field in captivity or in laboratories.
Duties of a Zoologist
As a Zoologist one is needed to:
- Study the animals in captivity or in their natural habitat
- Conduct laboratory and field research
- Collect, store and prepare specimens for analysis
- Identify, record and monitor species of animals
- Manage large data sets and use statistical software packages
- Use modelling software to predict future scenarios such as changes in habitats on population numbers
- Write scientific reports and issue recommendations
- Manage animal care and address invasive species and other threats
- Use software equipment such as geographical information systems (GIS) global positioning systems (GPS), sonographs, terrestrial locomotor activity monitoring systems and video recorders
Skills required to become a Zoologist
A Zoologist should have the following skills to become successful in the career:
- Research skills, such as strong understanding of scientific methods and tools and resources that you need
- Strong written communication skills
- Presentation skills for specialist and no-specialist audiences
- Project management and team working skills which may include working in varied teams
- IT skills when recording, analysing and presenting data and reports
- Attention to detail and should be observant and a skill to pick up small details to ensure accuracy
Conclusion
There are ample job opportunities for M.Sc Life Science students in the industry. The above mentioned are some of the important and crucial roles that have better career opportunities and better pay scales and are just the tip of an iceberg. The industry is hit due to the lack of availability of skilled professionals especially in life sciences. There are many organisations that are investing huge amounts of funds in the life sciences sector and are looking for skilled professionals. The skilled professionals can easily find excellent job opportunities in the field of life sciences because there is huge demand for them in the industry.
The students who are interested in life science can join the M.Sc Life Science course and can expect a good growth in the career with excellent pay scales.