Medical Scientist job outlook
Medical scientists can expect to face competition
for most jobs, in part because of the attractiveness of the career. However,
those with both a Ph.D. and M.D. are likely to experience very good
opportunities.
Employment change. Employment of
medical scientists is expected to increase 20 percent over the 2006-16 decade,
faster than the average for
all occupations. The Federal Government funds much basic research and
development, including many areas of medical research. Although previous budget
increases at the National Institutes of Health have led to large increases in
the number of grants awarded to researchers, the increase in expenditures has
slowed significantly, causing expected future employment growth to be more
modest than in the past despite the faster than average projected growth.
Medical scientists enjoyed rapid gains in
employment since the 1980s—reflecting, in part, the growth of biotechnology
companies. Job growth should be dampened somewhat as fewer new biotechnology
firms are founded and as existing firms merge or are absorbed by larger
biotechnology or pharmaceutical firms. Some companies may conduct a portion of
their research and development in other lower-wage countries, further limiting
employment growth. However, much of the basic medical research done in recent
years has resulted in new knowledge, including the isolation and identification
of new genes. Medical scientists will be needed to take this knowledge to the
next stage—understanding how certain genes function within an entire organism—so
that medical treatments can be developed for various diseases. Even
pharmaceutical and other firms not solely engaged in biotechnology have largely
adopted biotechnology techniques, thus creating employment for medical
scientists.
Employment growth should also occur as a result of
the expected expansion in research related to illnesses such as AIDS, cancer,
and avian influenza, along with growing treatment problems such as antibiotic
resistance. Moreover, environmental conditions such as overcrowding and the
increasing frequency of international travel will tend to spread existing
diseases and give rise to new ones. Medical scientists will continue to be
needed because they greatly contribute to the development of treatments and
medicines that improve human health.
An increasing focus on monitoring patients at
hospitals and health care centers to ensure positive patient outcomes will
contribute to job growth for epidemiologists. In addition, a heightened
awareness of bioterrorism and rare, but infectious diseases such as West Nile
Virus or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) should spur demand for these
workers. As hospitals enhance their infection control programs, many will seek
to boost the quality and quantity of their staff.
Job prospects. Besides job openings
due to employment growth, openings will arise as workers leave the labor force
or transfer to other occupations. However, doctoral degree holders can expect to
face considerable competition
for basic research positions and for research grants. If the number of advanced
degrees awarded continues to grow, applicants are likely to face even more
competition.
Although medical scientists can expect competition
for jobs, those with both doctoral and medical degrees are likely to experience
very good opportunities. As funding for research becomes more difficult to
obtain, those with both a biological and professional medical background will
have a distinct advantage. Opportunities in epidemiology also should be highly
competitive, as the number of available positions will continue to be limited.
Medical scientists and epidemiologists are less
likely to lose their jobs during recessions than are those in many other
occupations because they are employed on long-term research projects. However, a
recession could influence the amount of money allocated to new research and
development, particularly in areas of risky or innovative medical research. A
recession also could limit extensions or renewals of existing projects.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
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Medical Scientist Income
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