A life science careers blog for early career researchers
This blog aims to inspire early career researchers exploring different career options. We provide interview-based profiles of life scientists working in diverse science-related careers and articles on a broad range of career-related topics, with new content added on a regular basis.
Science administration and management is a career area that encompasses a wide range of roles in research institutes, scientific infrastructures, universities, non-profit organisations, governments, funders and scientific societies. The aim of these roles is normally ensuring the smooth running of specific training programmes, funding schemes, services or networks that are aimed at researchers, or supporting the organization’s leadership with strategic projects and analysis.
The job titles and the tasks associated with science administration positions vary greatly. Possible tasks may include a subset of the following activities:
In our careers & skills survey, 38 science administration professionals told us about the competencies they used most often. The most commonly selected competencies were:
Language skills
In many cases, the working language for these roles is English. However, some knowledge of the local language (B1/B2 level) is often advantageous; and, for some roles, fluency at the B2, C1 or C2 level may be required.
It is possible to enter the career area in a junior role directly from a PhD or postdoc, without additional experience or training. Hiring managers will be looking for examples of analogous work you have done as a scientist – depending on the role, this may include organizational tasks (e.g. organizing scientific events), communication skills with a variety of audiences (e.g. working groups, scientific seminars) or experience writing successful fellowship applications. Career progression may involve moving to a more senior role within the same organisation (though opportunities may be limited in smaller organisations) or moving to a different role (at the same or more senior level) at another organization.
Example job titles
Note: there is large variety between organizations; some roles may require experience in a more junior role first.
In our careers and skills survey, scientists working in science admin told us that they appreciate that their work:
Interview-based career profiles for this career area
Aidan Budd, Node Coordinator, ELIXIR-UK Ioannis Legouras – Vice Head, Department Strategic Cooperations and Research Funding; Head of International Programs, Max Delbrück Centre Veronica Caraffini, Project Adviser, European Research Council Executive Agency
For EMBL fellows
Within EMBL, further internal resources (e.g. recorded career seminars) can be found on our career exploration intranet pages.
For all career areas, we highly recommend first learning more about the careers using the resources above, then conducting informational interviews to gain further insights directly from former PhDs working in career areas that interest you.
Last update: November 2022
