Whether you’re a scientist or not, working in a laboratory can be incredibly isolating. Many scientists find themselves with limited time to spend on hobbies and human interaction, which is why exploring side jobs as a scientist is so important. Working as a scientist often demands long hours and intense focus, but many of us need some variety in our lives too. Side jobs give us the opportunity to collaborate with others outside of the lab, experiment with new ideas and tackle objectives that are a little outside of our usual scope. Moreover, these occupations don’t require advanced academic skills or even any previous experience as a scientist. In other words, they’re accessible to just about anyone who loves science and has an intellectual curiosity.
What kind of side job opportunities are available to scientists?
There are a variety of possible side jobs for scientists, depending on the type of research they’re interested in. For example, in the field of medicine, researchers may work in the pharmaceutical industry, but there are numerous other options as well. Researchers in the field of nanotechnology, for example, may work in a variety of research and development positions in the field. Beyond the field of nanotechnology, researchers in many other fields may find many other types of side jobs that are ideal for scientists.
Researching a New Side Job as a Scientist
While many scientific jobs can be found online, some employers will also require a doctorate or advanced degree in order to be considered for the position. In this case, it is important for scientists to also consider research as a possible side job. If you decide to research a new side job as a scientist, it’s important to choose a topic that’s interesting to you. Remember that the side job could become a full-time career if you choose a topic that you’re passionate about. You could also consider the side job as an opportunity to expand your knowledge in a particular field. For example, if your research is in clinical research, you may want to consider getting certified in a specific area of study. In this blog, we share an example of side jobs in 6 fields.
- 1. Data Science and Programming Side Job
There are many different types of data scientist jobs, ranging from those that focus on marketing to those that focus on financial analysis. A data scientist’s job, however, is often to organize, analyze and make decisions based on data. Data science, on the other hand, often involves programming and visualizations to present the data in an easily understood manner. Both of these types of jobs are perfect for scientists who are interested in using their quantitative skills to make a difference in the world. If you’re interested in these types of jobs, be sure to look closely at openings across different industries to try and identify the type of work that aligns best with your research interests and skills.
- 2. Biology and Chemistry Side Jobs
Besides working in pharmaceutical and medical research, there are also many opportunities in biology and chemistry for those who are interested in working in a different field. For example, some biologists may become marine biologists, foresters or other environmental specialists. In addition to finding work in a new field, you can also find many different side jobs as a biologist or chemist that can be a good fit for those who have a passion for a particular research topic. If you’re interested in finding a biology or chemistry-related side job, you can also consider becoming a lab assistant or a technician. Depending on your skillset, many of these types of jobs can be a great way to learn new skills while also earning some extra money.
- 3. Research Assistant or Data Analyst
A research assistant or data analyst is often responsible for many of the behind-the-scenes tasks that are involved in scientific research. For example, a data analyst may be responsible for data collection and standardization, data cleaning and preparation, data visualization and analysis. These positions are often ideal for scientists with quantitative skills, but they can be useful for just about anyone who is interested in working behind the scenes in a research lab. Besides working with data, a research assistant or data analyst often plays a key role in the research project as a whole. Depending on the position, these positions can be a great way to gain hands-on experience participating in a research project.
- 4. Manufacturing and Robotics Technology Side Job
Besides being associated in name only, a robotics technology side job isn’t really that different from the manufacturing and robotics technology jobs that are available to scientists. The main difference is that the jobs in this category focus on research and development. For example, some of the engineering jobs that fall into this category may involve helping to design robots or working on projects that help to improve robotics technology. Engineering jobs in this category also often involve working closely with scientists on the project. Similar to manufacturing jobs, many of these engineering jobs require a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field. Engineering jobs often pay well, too, and they can be a great option for those who want to make a career change.
- 5. Freelance Scientific Writing Jobs
As a scientist, you may be interested in finding freelance writing jobs, but you may also find that you have a talent for writing in general. While many scientific employers have specific guidelines for what type of content can be submitted for publication, many other types of employers may also request written content. Publications, journal articles, grant proposals, papers for conferences, papers for presentations and papers for non-scientific audiences are a few common types of written content that can be submitted for publication.
- 6. Scientific Translation
Translators are often a key part of international scientific collaborations and research projects. Depending on the type of translation that is required, you can find translation jobs in a variety of career fields. For example, when collaborating with scientists in other countries, you may need to translate content that is in a foreign language. However, you may also find yourself required to translate content that is written in the native language of another country. As a scientist, you may also find yourself required to translate content from one language to another. Depending on the project, you may need to translate content from one language (e.g. English to Japanese) to another (e.g. from English to Chinese). Translations can be challenging especially in scientific fields, However, working as a scientist, you may find that you are able to make some extra money by offering to translate content from one language to another.
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