Scientific research
London is a world centre for scientific research. It is by far the leading research centre in Britain. Many people working in scientific research do so as part of an academic institution, like a university. Others work for companies whose business relies on new discoveries or finding better ways of offering their products and services, for instance in the petrochemical industry (see below). Some, particularly in areas like healthcare work for charities or trusts, like Cancer Research UK.
Scientific research requires a high level of study in the subject area. It is important to remember that with science subjects you cannot progress to these higher levels, without studying at the level below. Scientific study relies on building on what you already know. So if you’re interested in working in an area like scientific research, studying science at a London college would be a very good place to start.
Mathematics and science subjects
Click to search where you can study science and maths at a London colleges.
The IOB is the UK’s professional body for biologists. Their site features careers information and links to further resources.
Institute of Physics careers page with lots of useful information, including help with CVs, careers advice and downloadable resources.
Careers information, case studies and help for those studying maths. Run by the Institute of Mathematics and the Council for Mathematical Sciences.
Run by the Royal Society of Chemistry, this site has details about chemistry careers, and useful resources for students like an interactive interpretation of the periodic table.
The RSC is the largest organisation in Europe for the "advancing the chemical sciences" and their website has lots of useful information on chemistry.
The Sector Skills Agency for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies. Click on case studies or training and qualifications for more information. Includes information on Apprenticeships.
BP (British Petroleum)
BP is one of Britain’s largest companies. They are best known to most of us for their service stations selling petrol. Ensuring a steady supply of petrol and other products may seem straightforward, but the company is reliant on considerable science behind the petrol station to keep them in business.
BP has a large London research facility in Sunbury on Thames. The way crude oil (as it comes out of the ground) is refined makes a difference to how it performs in different engines. Laboratories in Sunbury test certain products, compounds and chemical reactions to study the effect of different techniques. Oil is found in oilfields all over the world. When looking for oil, companies look for signs in the geology of the earth, the seismic activity present and use science to help predict where to drill. The data from many of these oil fields is gathered by BP employees on site and then analysed in London.
Further information
There are interviews with some of BP’s employees, talking about their work and what they studied, including this one with Geophysicist Ed Rushmere.
BP offer internships in various areas of its business, for people at different levels of study.
Information about working in the oil industry, as well as lists of currently available jobs. This site is backed by many of the largest oil companies.
Shell is another large oil company with its headquarters in London. Click on Jobs and Careers for more information about the types of work they offer. They also offer a newsletter for jobs information
