Special Report in 2005

If the prospect of endless lab work doesn't appeal, maybe using your qualifications to address global problems more directly would be the answer. There is plenty of scope for those who wish to pursue science with a 'social conscience', as Virginia Gewin finds out.

For women researchers, child care can be a major obstacle to getting back to the lab. Virginia Gewin looks at the options for working mums.

Flexible and relatively unfettered, non-profit foundations are able to boldly go into areas of research funding often untouched by public bodies, says Helen Gavaghan.

Buoyed by a range of new technologies, science illustration is expanding its remit to offer careers beyond publishing in areas such as advertising and law. Virginia Gewin reports.

Being good at research isn't enough for success in the biotech business. Virgina Gewin finds out where to get the other skills you need.

We all know a special person who has inspired us. Paul Smaglik learns from the winners of the first UK award for excellent mentoring in science.

Many European PhD students and junior researchers are getting a bad deal, with few rights and little or no supervision. But things are about to change, reports Quirin Schiermeier.

From the loneliness of long-distance love to the practicality of new relocation services, Sally Goodman looks at solutions to the two-body problem.