• Question: how long does it take to be a proper scientist after training

    Asked by ~Abi<3Locke~ to Jessica, Andrew, Jade, Kevin, Lynn on 17 Jun 2015. This question was also asked by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mc Caffrey, gunner fmk, Benji.
    • Photo: Jess Wade

      Jess Wade answered on 17 Jun 2015:

      Hi Abil Locke,

      We go to secondary school and do physics GCSEs and then A-levels, then to university for a three year degree called a BAchelors of Science. This is where we get most of our science training. Then we do an extra year of research called a Masters. After that, we do a 3 — 4 year PhD where we learn lots of techniques and become really good at different experiments. Then we are a ‘doctor’ and can go to different countries or universities to do some science. We can also start to give our own lectures at univeristies or schools. After we do enough great science and write for some special science newspapers, we move up at the university and become professors. Then we are in charge of our own team of scientists!

    • Photo: Andrew Fensham-Smith

      Andrew Fensham-Smith answered on 17 Jun 2015:

      Hi abi! Well if you’re referring to being a professional – you can be a scientist after an undergraduate degree, which takes about three years. I’ve done a longer version which took four, and I’m currently doing a PhD which means I’ll be a doctor at the end of it! It means that people will think I’m a super scientist when I finish. After that, post-doctoral research (after PhD) and eventually getting a group means that you can tell people what to research.

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