Being a Scientist

The world needs scientists.

But what do they actually do?

Click on the personal statements below to find out.

Adrian Liston:
“Becoming a Scientist”

(Download PDF)

  • Microbiologist

    Research into microbes

    Studying where bacteria live, what they need to grow, and how we can develop new antibiotics as treatments

  • Immunologist

    Research into immune responses to infection

    Studying how our body responds to pathogens, and how we can exploit this knowledge for diagnosis, treatment and vaccines

  • Immunologist

    Research into immune disorders

    Leading a team of scientists to uncover the causes and potential treatments for pathologies of the immune system

  • Engagement Manager

    Research with and by the public

    Engaging and involving the public in scientific research and teaching, and inspiring future generations of scientists and doctors

  • Data Scientist

    Data analysis and visualisation

    Crunching numbers, identifying patterns, and developing models that explain and predict scientific and clinical observations

  • Primary Teacher

    Teaching STEM subjects in primary school

    Allowing children to question, explore and problem solve, and aiming for that ‘oh wow!’ as reaction

  • Secondary Teacher

    Teaching Science in secondary school

    Making scientific content interesting and accessible for teens

  • Biochemist

    Research into the chemical processes of life

    Studying the link between the immune system and blood clotting, and why sometimes you want to become an architect and end up as a scientist

  • Infectious Disease Doctor

    Clinical care of infected patients

    How doctors diagnose the underlying cause of a patient’s symptoms and decide which treatment to give

  • Science Journalist

    Science in the media

    Helping scientists to tell the world about their discoveries

  • Kidney Disease Doctor

    Research into kidney failure

    How infection affects the function of the kidneys, and why scientists sometimes use TikTok and Instagram

  • Lab Manager

    Running a research lab

    Assisting researchers, training new team members, doing key experiments and being very organised

  • Science Communicator

    Events, exhibitions, workshops and more

    Exploring science with a wide range of audiences and involving members of the public in scientific activities

  • Intensive Care Doctor

    Critically ill patients

    Caring for patients who need intensive care, and researching ways to improve the diagnosis and management of critically ill patients

  • Dentist

    Treating and preventing toothache

    Understanding whether people may or may not need antibiotics, and how looking after your teeth helps keeping your whole body healthy

  • Wellcome Trust Funding Officer

    Research funding

    Supporting scientists to develop their research ideas, and to conduct and manage their projects


➡️ Meet The Scientists

Your chance to meet real life scientists.

They will talk to you about what they do, how they do it, and even give you a virtual tour around their laboratory.

So get your lab coats on and join us!

 

➡️ Story Time

Explore our reading corner.

Enjoy the fascinating stories behind some of the most important scientific and medical discoveries in human history.

Get comfy and dive in!