Hey all, new member here. I have recently just graduated with completing a Biological Sciences degree and have a lot of trouble securing employment. There's a few research positions geared towards graduates I applied for and I'm awaiting their response in addition to previously doing voluntarily lab experience which I'm planning to continue if nothing else seems to be happening from next week.

I have been reading a lot of the stability and I'm aware of the lack of jobs/opportunities for scientific research which is what I wanted to get into. I'd rather prefer to get a research job prior to a degree in masters research for the experience that it provides plus networking and making contacts. Right now, I'm in the position is I'm not sure what to do. I feel completely stuck, I only got interested in scientific research in my final year and the best move I made was to intern for a bit and also my masters got pushed back otherwise I'd be starting in a month (frustratingly). Any advice for an aspiring research scientist, I'd be very grateful. Thanks

When you say you want to work in research, what exactly do you mean?

Do you want to work in a lab, for example as a technician? Or do you intend to do a PhD at some point?

To be honest, there are so many PhD qualified people that want a job in research, it's hard for you to compete with them for research positions with only an undergrad degree.

I wouldn't worry about getting research experience (you've already got some) and you can network and get contacts whilst doing a MSc. It will be harder for you to do this anyway without a MSc because if you are just doing work in a lab you won't be going to conferences or presenting your work anywhere so it's not really much advantage to you.

If you have to wait to start a MSc, then carry on trying to get lab experience if you want, but it won't harm you if you get a non-science job either (coming from someone who took a 5 year break between MSc and PhD and now works as a postdoc).

Thanks for helping TreeofLife, to be honest I'm not entirely sure myself. Initially when I finished my degree, as I really enjoyed the dissertation, it's what I wanted to do which is lab work plus publications, in which I understand the route to go through is MRes/MSc then PhD. However, I've been reading a lot and realise how difficult it is to settle into a career with doing post-doc positions which are so highly competitive already and therefore has led many people to misery. I have not been able to secure a job in research assistance holding a Bsc as you said, it's simply just not enough.

If you want a career in research, these jobs aren't too difficult to find with a MSc. There's plenty of research jobs around to be honest, the problem is most PhD graduates actually want a job in academia, and it's these that are hard to find.