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The UK’s official graduate careers website
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Promotion to senior research and breeding positions is dependent on ability, performance and experience. Progression will involve increased responsibilities, including supervision, project management and senior management. In larger companies, an increase in seniority will involve a shift from direct laboratory and field work to more strategic and budgetary responsibilities.
Commercial opportunities exist in international companies, specialised seed firms and an increasing number of biotechnology and genetic engineering firms. Opportunities are also available overseas.
In research councils and institutes, career development would involve moving through bands from research scientist to senior research scientist.
In the academic sector, most researchers go on to take up a post-doctoral position following completion of a PhD, possibly then moving to a senior research fellowship. Career progression to a lectureship may be difficult as the numbers of lecturers required are limited. Career development depends on the publication of original research papers. Your duties would also include teaching and the supervision of other researchers.
Because of the reduction in vacancies and the small size of plant breeding/development teams in most settings, developing your career can be challenging.
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