Question: how good at science do you have to be to have your job?

Usman Bashir answered on 25 Jun 2015:

To do what I do, you have to become a doctor, and get specialization (radiologist, surgeon, or physician etc.), both are doable with good grades.

Because it doesnt pay huge amounts, there is little competition in research jobs like mine. In fact alot of hospitals are forced to hire scientists from overseas because UK-trained doctors are not interested and many jobs go unfilled. A junior medical scientist gets about £40-60k a year after taxes, a senior about £80-100k, and professors get bonuses. A doctor who does private practice (and not research) can potentially double that figure.