Career Paths for PhD Graduates

What can I be with a PhD?

Biomedical scientists may use their knowledge of biomedical research to:

• Direct a research lab and decide which scientific questions to investigate
• Be part of a team of scientists working together to solve problems of health and disease
• Manage and coordinate large scientific projects (across institutions and/or across the world)
• Teach others about biomedical science including how to do research and how to think about and understand scientific information
• Inform policy makers about scientific matters that impact health and science
• Communicate (by writing and speaking) and disseminate the latest information about scientific and medical discoveries
• Translate discoveries and inventions from the most fundamental level to every day usage

Where do biomedical scientists work?

• Academic institutions (research and administration)
  • Large research universities
  • Small liberal arts colleges
  • Medical centers and medical schools
  • Dental, veterinary and optometry schools
  • Hospitals
  • Research institutes
  • Community colleges
  • High schools
• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
  
  
• Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, including:
  • NIH - National Institutes of Health
  • FDA - Food and Drug Administration
  • CDCP - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • NSF - National Science Foundation
  • EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
  • NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • USDA - Department of Agriculture
  • VA - Veterans' Administration
  • DOD - Department of Defense
  • US Congress
  • Executive Branch of the Federal Government
  • State and county health departments
    
    
• Mass communication organizations and businesses
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Internet-based communications
  • Broadcast media (television, radio, movies)
  • Scientific journals and textbooks
    
    
• Law firms (patent and intellectual property law)
  
  
• Consulting firms
  • Judicial system - scientific evidence in trials
  • Financial - advising regarding investments in biotechnology, drug and medical device development
  • Healthcare
  • Educational
    
    
• Philanthropic and non-profit organizations
  
  • NAS/IOM - National Academies of Science/Institute of Medicine
  • Scientific societies and associations
  • Private foundations