Reproductive science and andrology

You might work in embryology or andrology.

Working life

Within embryology, you will be:

• dealing with infertility treatments including assisted conception procedures, such as in vitro [1] fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
• involved in the collection and fertilisation of eggs from patients. Embryos are cultured, graded and selected for embryo transfer. Techniques associated with cryopreservation will be carried out to store patients’ samples.

Within andrology, you’d be focusing on the field of male reproduction. This could include:

• spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell development)
• semen analyses
• sperm function
• fertilisation
• contraception
• cryopreservation (preserving tissues by cooling them to sub-zero temperatures).

Who would I work with?

You are likely to work in a team that includes other healthcare science staff working in the life sciences [2], obstetricians and gynaecologists [3], doctors specialising in genitourinary medicine [4], specialist nurses [5] and counsellors.

Want to learn more?

• Find out more about the entry requirements, skills and training required to enter a career in reproductive science or andrology [6]
• Find out more about the training you’ll receive for a career in reproductive science or andrology [7]

• Pay and conditions

  Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) [8] pay scales.  This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers. As a healthcare scientist working in reproductive science or andrology, your salary will typically be between AfC [9] bands 6-9, depending on the precise role and level of responsibility. Trainee clinical scientists train at band 6 level, and qualified clinical scientists are generally appointed at band 7. With experience and further qualifications, including Higher Specialist Scientist Training [10], you could apply for posts up to band 9.

  Staff will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern.

  Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.

• Where the role can lead

  With further training or experience or both, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management or teaching.

  Healthcare science staff work at the forefront of research and innovation, so that patients are continually receiving the very best healthcare. For example, in reproductive science and andrology, healthcare science staff are constantly looking at ways of improving the outcomes of fertility treatment.

• Job market and vacancies

  Job market

  In November 2018, there were 6,123 clinical scientists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council [11].

  The NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) [12] and Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) [10] attract many more applicants than there are places and so there is considerable competition for places.

  Finding and applying for jobs

  Check vacancies carefully to be sure you can meet the requirements of the person specification before applying and to find out what the application process is. You may need to apply online or send a CV for example.

  For the STP [12] and HSST [10], there is an annual recruitment cycle and applications should be made through the National School of Healthcare Science's website [13], where you can also find information about the programmes and the recruitment process.

  Key sources relevant to vacancies in the health sector:

  • Vacancies in organisations delivering NHS healthcare can be found on the NHS Jobs website [14]
  • Opportunities in the Civil Service can be found on the Civil Service Jobs website [15]
  • Vacancies in local government can be found on the Local Government Jobs website [16] and the Jobs Go Public website [17]

  As well as these sources, you may find suitable vacancies in the health sector by contacting local employers directly, searching in local newspapers and by using the Universal Jobmatch tool [18].

  Find out more about applications and interviews [19].

  Volunteering is an excellent way of gaining experience (especially if you don’t have enough for a specific paid job you’re interested in) and also seeing whether you’re suited to a particular type of work. It’s also a great way to boost your confidence and you can give something back to the community.

  Find out more about volunteering and gaining experience [20].

• Further information

  For further information about a career in repoductive science, please contact:

  • Academy for Healthcare Science [21]
  • Health and Care Professions Council [22]
  • The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority [23]
  • National School of Healthcare Science [13]