Science and Research Careers

From biomedical research to climate change modeling to materials development to quantum computing—Bowdoin alumni go on to pursue science and research across a wide range of roles and industries. 

With nearly 200 Bowdoin students engaging in faculty-mentored research each year, Bowdoin is one of the most active research institutions among liberal arts colleges. Research is also carried out in governments agencies, hospitals, foundations, corporations and nonprofits. The CXD can help you identify and pursue the opportunities both at and beyond Bowdoin. 

The opportunities in science and research are expansive. Bowdoin alumni go on to pursue science and research across a wide range of roles and industries. At this very moment, Bowdoin alumni are doing research at hospitals like Dana Farber and Massachusetts General Hospital; at educational institutions like Stanford and Cornell; at nonprofit organizations like the Broad Institute and Jackson Laboratories; in government agencies like the EPA and NIH, and in companies like Abbott, Pfizer, Merck, and Takeda. CXD can help you clarify your scientific and research interests and identify opportunities for you to pursue those interests.

Sample Career Paths

There are an incredible number of tracks available in science and research depending on what field or discipline appeals to you the most. Seek guidance navigating through them early from CXD, as well as from Bowdoin’s faculty.

Many graduates begin their careers as Laboratory Technicians, Research Assistants or Associates, or Junior Engineers in university labs or research institutions. If you want to unlock positions in academia as faculty, or more advanced Scientist/Engineer positions within various industries, you will need to pursue graduate school and potentially post-doctoral programs as well. Many students pursue research for several years following graduation from Bowdoin before applying to advanced degree programs.

Meet Alumni

VIDEOKitrea Takata-Glushkoff '19 interned for the Hench lab of Duke University in French Polynesia and combined her research with local Tahitian knowledge for fishermen in the area.