Finding Opportunities in the Sciences
Introduction
This document contains resources collected by Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design staff. See complete document here.
Many U.S. based opportunities listed here may require U.S. permanent work authorization or citizenship. As always, any student requiring U.S. work authorization should check with OVIS prior to accepting employment offers.
Special Considerations
- Interests: There are professional associations for virtually any interest in the Sciences – you can approach these organizations to network with other professionals and to learn about opportunities for research, continuing education and employment. To identify associations, use GuideStar Pro and the Foundation Directory, accessible through our Employer Research Guide.
- Resume: For science resumes and CVs, it is normal to see “Research,” “Projects,” and “Publications” as additional sections. Many employers for research-related positions may also accept a two-page document. For More Information: CPD STEM Resume Template.
- Timing/Funding: It’s important to know the hiring cycle and application process.
Some positions that are based in academia, or are government funded, are contingent upon grant funding. For some research-based roles, it may be helpful to get training in grant writing and how to apply for funding.
Career Exploration
Dartmouth Resources
- Dartmouth Library Resources
- GuideStar Pro
A database of thousands of US nonprofit organizations. Search for organizations and people by name, geography, financials, or a variety of other criteria. Reports include general information on organization, people, mission and programs, goals and results. - Foundation Directory
Find associations by name, acronym, keyword or geographic location. Covers national, regional, and international.
- GuideStar Pro
- Dartmouth Committee for Protection of Human Subjects
Includes CITI education courses that may be required for academic research opportunities
External Resources
- US News Careers – Best Science Jobs
- Best College Reviews – Top 30 STEM Jobs
- sciencebuddies.org – Detailed information all about Careers in Science
- PBS – STEM Career Resources
- Professional Associations and Organizations in Math and Science
- Association of University Research Parks – University research parks are physical environments that can generate, attract, and retain science and technology companies and talent in alignment with sponsoring research institutions that include universities, as well as public, private and federal research laboratories. Research parks enable the flow of ideas between innovation generators such as universities, federal labs, and non-profit R&D institutions and companies located in both the research park and the surrounding region.
- Examples include:
- Research Triangle Park – Largest research park in the US – Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
- Cummings Research Park – 2nd largest in the US – Huntsville, Alabama
- University of California – San Diego (UCSD) Science Research Park – San Diego, CA
- List of Research Parks around the world
- Examples include:
Audio/Video Resources
- Careers In Innovation – April 2022 – CPD Hosted Panel
- Careers in Pharma & Biotech with Stephanie Gonzalez ’99 – April 2022 – CPD Host Speaker
- 70 Best Science Podcasts
Sample Jobs and Internships
Check out samples of job and internship opportunities below. A Guarini career advisor can help you identify current opportunities and prepare application materials that play to your strengths.
Data Analysis
- CGI Technologies Data Scientist
- Strategy and Data Analyst, Sustainability – Uber
- Data Analyst – Hulu
Sample Internships:
- Project44 Data Analyst Intern
- Centerstone Program Evaluation Intern
- TruUI/UX Data Analytics Intern
- FlashHouse Data Science Analyst Intern
- Aflac Global Investments Data Management Intern
Drug Discovery & Pharmaceutical
- UK HealthCare – Database Analyst
- Covance, Project Coordinator
- GQR Global Marketing, Entry-level Consultant
- On-board – Pharmaceutical Upstream Processing Scientist
- Apex Systems – Research Associate
- Translate Bio – Research Associate
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – Research Associate
Energy
- Lennox International Data Scientist
- IMG Crown Energy Data Analyst
- Institute for Sustainable Communities Program Officer
- HCR Manorcare Commercial Energy Analyst
Neuroscience
- Neuroscience Specialist – MyndPro
- Cognitive Neuroscientist – Intheon
- Clinical Research Data Associate/ Research Assistant – General Dynamics
- Neuroscience Sales Specialist – Almathica Pharma
Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
- Chemical Engineer – Canon Virginia, Inc
- Project/Process Chemical Engineer – Versique Search & Consulting
- Beverage & Chemical Sales Specialist – Performance
- Chemical Sales Representative – 3M
- Chemical Processing Operator – US Ecology, Inc.
Biology and Health
- Research Investigator Cell and Developmental Biology – University of Pennsylvania
- Research Associate Process Development – Appia Bio
- Outreach and Partnership Coordinator – Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
Engineering
- Executive Assistant, Learning Sciences & Engineering – Amazon
- Engineering, Product & Design – SoFi
- Product Manager – SPS Worldwide
- Engineering Project Assistant – Dahl Consulting
Geography and Environmental Science
- Environmental Science Educator – NatureBridge
- Environmental, Health & Safety Manager – Orion Engineered Carbons
- Staff Climate Advisory Consultant – Environmental Resources Management
Recommended job/internship sites
Cross Industry Resources
- American Association for the Advancement of Science Internship Opportunities
- Science Careers.org | Jobs in Science and Technology
- NatureJobs
- Pathways To Science Opportunities
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- NIH | National Institute of Health site for job searches
- LinkedIn and Handshake | Search for job opportunities by keyword searches based on the industry you are interested in
Biotechnology, Biology, and Health
Data Analysis
- Builtin | start-ups & tech jobs in seven U.S. cities
- eFinancial Careers
- Icrunchdata
Drug Discovery & Pharmaceutical
Energy
- Young Professionals in Energy
- Energy Jobs Network
- Clean Energy Job Board
- Energy Central
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
- C&EN Jobs | from the American Chemical Society | Browse jobs by field of specialization
- Chemistry Jobs
- Chemistry World Jobs
- American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry | Employment Resources
Engineering
- National Society of Professional Engineers | Rated the no.1 Job board for Engineers
- Engineering Jobs
- Top 15 Search Engines for Engineering Jobs | by Yale University
- Nation Job
Geography and Environmental Science
Physics
Social Sciences (e.g., Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology)
Interview Preparation
Networking is the Key
Networking is an integral aspect of applying to these opportunities. LinkedIn and Handshake are two of many ways to begin building your network. Career coaches and faculty can help you strategize on identifying contacts, sculpting “your ask,” and building your network. Here are a few resources to get you started.
- Tips on How to Network Effectively in the Science Industry
- What Can I Do with This Major
- Additional Networking Resources In Handshake
Four Ways to Find Science Opportunities Using Handshake
You can find many different jobs and internships in Handshake. Check out this spreadsheet for sample results from June 2022. Follow these steps below to stay connected and receive alerts as new opportunities arise:
- Complete your profile. A complete profile means you will be served opportunities that are interesting to you and start getting outreach from employers with relevant opportunities. 80% of students who share their interests on Handshake receive a message from a recruiter. The more you include, the better your chances of having a recruiter find you.
- Use filters to narrow your search. When searching for jobs and internships in Handshake, you can apply various filters to narrow your search and/or enter keywords.
- Follow employers that interest you to receive email notifications when an employer posts a job or event. You can follow employers in Handshake to stay updated on any new employer activity in the system, including posting jobs, internships and events.
- Build your network with alumni and peers who have worked at organizations of interest. On an individual employer’s page, scroll to find a box titled “Who’s Worked Here.” Click on the list to view peers and alumni who have worked at the organization and send a message to invite a conversation to learn more about their experience and receive advice.