Regulars Learning Curve Impact Factor Up! Society of Biology launches * new professional registers 2.379 Editor-in-Chief: Wanjin Hong, A*STAR, Singapore Rebecca Nesbit (Society of Biology) In June, the Society of Biology launched a new professional register to support the development of biologists. This builds on its current provision of Chartered Biologist status, and now there are three levels of recognition suitable for those at different stages of their Downloaded from http://portlandpress.com/biochemist/article-pdf/34/4/48/5263/bio034040048.pdf by guest on 01 October 2021 For over 30 years, Bioscience Reports has been publishing scientific career. research in the cellular and molecular life sciences Under a licence from the Science Council, the Society of Biology can now provide Registered Science Technician, Registered Scientist and Chartered Scientist statuses, in addition to its existing Chartered Biologist status. By joining a professional register, scientists show their • Immediate publication – online in 5 minutes! dedication to gaining new skills and increase their employability. The first grade, Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), is suitable for anyone who has been working as a technician for 1–2 years. No formal qualifications are required, • MEDLINE – indexed but applicants must show a commitment to developing the relevant skills. Evidence of competency will include how the scientist has completed given tasks, exercised responsibility development, but also show the interviewer your dedication in the use of protocols, and communicated and worked effectively. to a career in science. It is also worth getting in touch with • Fast publication of technically sound research Mike Trevethick (pictured right), Senior Project us; we can offer advice and support to ensure you and your selected by expert, rigorous peer-review Manager for the Technicians’ Register at the Society of employer invest in your professional development.” Biology, explained the importance of the new registers for LifeScan Scotland, a member of the Johnson & Johnson technicians, “a recent report from the Technician Council family of companies and one of the leading life science highlighted the need to invest in skilled technicians so we can companies in the UK, will be actively encouraging its fill the 450 000 technician jobs expected by 2020. Technicians technicians to register. underpin scientific development, and our new registers Peter Wilson, Senior Scientist at LifeScan Scotland, said, Submit your are designed to nurture their valuable skills and support “this is an excellent opportunity for technicians and scientists their career progression. The new registers provide science across the UK to become registered and recognized in their technicians with a clear development pathway.” individual bioscience industries and disciplines. Signing paper online A key element of the Society of Biology Professional Mike Trevethick up to the new register will add weight to their experience Registers is career development. Through formal education, and expertise and give them that edge when applying for and training and development in the work place, scientists may become eligible to apply new roles or promotions. Additionally, the register will give for Registered Scientist status (RSci) and can progress further to Chartered Biologist or technicians a greater sense of identity and responsibility. www.bioscirep.org Chartered Scientist status. “The traditional link of having qualification-based Professionally recognizing those who work in the life sciences at a high level, Chartered membership to professional registers is now opened up Status helps public confidence in professionals and gives employers confidence in their to those experienced and valued technicians that have employees. For many people working in the bioscience, their work crosses into other areas progressed from school, through apprenticeships or have of science, and Chartered Scientist status will benefit their recognition in pan-science roles. obtained vocational qualifications.” Chartered Scientist status (designated by the post-nominal letters CSci) provides a Phil Punyer, Chief Technician at City and Islington benchmark for scientists working in scientific roles, recognized as a hallmark of excellence in College (Centre for Applied Sciences), sits on The Society *2011 Journal Citation Reports® (Thomson Reuters, 2012) the UK and the European Union. of Biology Advisory Panel on Professional Registers for In addition to providing awards to those scientists who have earned each grade, the Technicians. He said, “the scientific and technological Full fees: (GBP) £900.00 | (USD) $1400.00 | (EUR) €1000.00 Society of Biology also guides scientists through the process of working towards professional innovation of this country, on which our future prosperity Fees for authors at Subscribing Institutions and registration. They have access to an online portal, where they can track their CPD (continuing lies, rests firmly in the skilled hands of our professional Biochemical Society Members: (GBP) £695 | (USD) $1075 | (EUR) €775 professional development). Each activity is logged, along with a reflection on how it laboratory technicians.” contributed to professional development. Guidance documents for all the Society of Biology The launch of the registers will be marked by an event Submissions for Open Access began on 2 April 2012. registers and the CPD scheme can be found at www.societyofbiology.org/development/. at Charles Darwin House in London on 19 October, during First Open Access issue: Volume 32, Part 4. Mike said, “I would encourage people to ask their employer or training provider Biology Week. This will be a chance to network with other about professional recognition, and to bring it up in a job interview. By discussing this scientists and to learn about the effect of the Society of in an interview, you not only gauge how supportive your employer will be of your Biology Professional Registers. ■ NOW OPEN ACCESS 48 August 2012 © Biochemical Society.