Finding your career with a biomedical science degree

Right now, biomedical scientists are preventing the global spread of Ebola, working with engineers to develop devices that can alter abnormal brain activity in Parkinson’s disease, and developing a bionic eye for the blind. 

They are also looking at data to identify trends and make business forecasts, working for the government to influence policy and communicating a message of better health throughout their communities.

A biomedical science degree can make a real difference in the lives of thousands of people. Here are some of the ways you can transform this degree into a career.

Lab work

Biomedical science students put in a considerable amount of time in the lab during their degree and as a result many choose to move into lab-based roles after graduation. 

“This could entail working in hospitals, private clinics or research facilities, often specialising in infection sciences, blood sciences, cellular sciences or genetics and molecular pathology,” said ACU biomedical science lecturer Dr Jonathan Teoh.

“You could be called upon to perform laboratory diagnostic procedures for patients, screen and monitor a range of diseases, maintain and run lab equipment and analyse statistics and data.”

Research

An interest in scientific research might have first drawn you to biomedical science and continuing on with a masters or research degree is a logical next step. 

“During your undergraduate degree you will learn important foundation skills, such as how to search medical literature, conduct clinical tests and analyse epidemiological data,” explained Dr Teoh. “These are the type of skills that you will build on as you continue to develop a research career.” 

Sales, marketing and business development

You might have spent your degree in the lab, but you can still make a career move into the office. Sales and business development roles in industries such as agriculture and food science are available for people with a strong background in biomedical science who can fluently communicate their knowledge and expertise to help businesses grow and develop. 

“In our degree, all students will be taught how to convey effective science-based messaging through the unit Communicating Ideas in Science (BMSC201),” said Dr Teoh. “Marketing jobs are also a viable option for biomedical science graduates, particularly for businesses related to pharmaceuticals or health, where you would be required to have specialised biomedical knowledge.” 

Public health

A Bachelor of Biomedical Science’s strength is it’s a solid foundation course that allows you to confidently pursue further study in a health-related degree, such as a Master of Public Health. 

“By completing a biomedical science degree first, you will be given a broad understanding of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology and microbiology,” said Dr Teoh.

This knowledge is essential to many public health careers, which is about the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health by improving social and political systems. Combining your biomedical science skills with public health can lead to roles such as public health officer, community development worker, epidemiologist, policy analyst, or health educator.

Interested? Discover more about studying biomedical science.