Science jobs of the future

The boundaries of science fact and science fiction will blur for the job market of tomorrow

Nano-medics, memory surgeons and flying car designers are just a few of the jobs our children could be doing according to a new report which shows that science and technology will lead to different career prospects in 20 years time.

The study – commissioned by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to encourage better understanding of science and conducted by research company Fast Future – showed the wide variety of occupations that could be available to the next generation of scientists, including space pilots, nano-medics and old age wellness managers. They analysed future trends such as population growth, climate change and developments in science and technology to compile a list of 20 potential jobs of the future.

Rohit Talwar, Fast Future’s chief executive said: “The list of future jobs highlights the vast array of exciting things today’s schoolchildren could be doing in 20 years time, all made possible by fields of science and innovation in which Britain has real expertise.”

Talwar believes that the boundaries of reality and science fiction are being crossed, and that images seen in the movies are becoming genuine career options. He says that although these are being made possible by science, they won’t necessarily require a high level of scientific expertise themselves.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “A priority for this Government is to prepare Britain for the economy of the future and to make sure our young people can seize the opportunities that innovations in science and technology will bring.”

Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson believes today’s schoolchildren could become the first generation to build a flying car or help reverse climate change. “Science is moving at an incredible pace,” he said, “My message to them is to be part of it!”

Supporter of the government’s campaign - named Science: [So what? So everything] - Stephen Fry said: “This is a fascinating list of jobs. I’d go for the nano-medic first up – that’s exciting, really exciting. To be a pioneer, in the vein of new technology, and one that might deliver spectacular help and improvements to the world – yes please!” Fry also said he’d like to be an avatar manager – a virtual teacher to support or even replace teachers in the classroom with computer personas – which he believes could make huge strides in education.

The study predicts the digital revolution will lead to jobs for virtual lawyers, virtual clutter organisers, waste data handlers, social ‘networking’ workers and narrowcasters creating tailored media content to individual needs.

Other jobs making the jobs of the future include: ‘pharmer’armer of genetically engineered crops and livestock; memory augmentation surgeons who can add extra memory capacity to help those over-exposed to information; ‘new science’ ethicist; vertical farmers growing food in multi-storey buildings; quarantine enforcers helping to stop the spread of viruses; weather modification police; time broker and personal branders.