The science jobs and pharmaceutical science jobs sector in the UK is in a strong position. Recent figures show that the biotechnology, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries alone generate more than £23 billion a year in revenue.
Anywhere that discovery is taking place, scientific equipment is needed - making science jobs in sales vital to the healthcare, scientific and R&D industry as a whole.
Laboratory equipment - tools or devices used in clinical and research laboratories for either performing an experiment or accumulating data - has around a 7% share of the medical industry market.
According to a report released by Instrument Business Outlook (IBO) for 2006, the global market for analytical and life science instrumentation (along with related aftermarket and service revenues) was around $32.8 billion. For the year 2007, overall sales of laboratory analytical instruments achieved a growth rate of 8.2%.
Video case study
What science jobs in sales are out there?
An arsenal of advanced lab equipment is used every day by hospitals, blood banks, private practitioners, university research, pharmaceutical R&D - even petrochemical and other industrial sectors. Science jobs in sales exist to meet this requirement, and provide the most up to date technological advancements.
Science jobs in sales span a huge variety of industry sectors — from academia to chemical and pharmaceutical science jobs; clinical, physical, analytical and scientific equipment, to electronics and diagnostics to name just a few.
There are also many different types of science jobs to consider, from field and regional sales to territory sales, product specialist, key account manager, business development and product sales.
Not all science jobs in sales are high-powered or technical. Everyday essentials from pipettes to balances, calibrators, testers, pumps, filters and chemicals all need to be sold too.
The current climate
Upgrading equipment is the lifeblood of science jobs in sales. Advances in technology are so rapid that a good scientific salesperson will be pitching new models to customers on a fairly regular basis.
Like most industries, the economic downturn has had an effect. Private sector investments and public sector research funding are not as readily available, so customer needs have altered slightly as a result. Service and maintenance sales have risen, and new business has dipped, the same as in many other sectors.
It's also worth remembering that with smaller budgets to play with, the products should do a lot of the selling - anyone with a scientific or technology mindset will always see the benefits of newer, more cutting-edge equipment.
What do recruiters look for?
To keep up with research and development across all fields of science jobs in sales - from life, biotech, clinical, physical and analytical to computational or engineering - you'll need a relevant degree.
Employers also look for hands-on experience in a laboratory or research environment. A PhD is even better, if you can bring technical knowledge to a sales team. If you have a science degree or PhD, then with or without sales experience, you will likely be able to move into a specialist sales representative role or an application specialist role.
You'll need to be able to build strong relationships with customers, have excellent product knowledge; and actively seek new business. Organisational, time and territory management skills are essential too.
In terms of progression, the commercial science jobs industry has a structured career ladder with the potential to move into sales management or marketing.
Search latest science sales jobs