So many science careers: find your own niche

Transcription

1 So many science careers: find your own niche Kristin Breitschopf sanofi-aventis Deutschland GmbH

2 PhD degree and what next? Scientists have a wide range of career options Huge diversity of career opportunities in various roles & sectors Unemployment level under doctoral graduates is low

3 What color is your parachute (Richard Nelson Bolles) What is your situation & your needs? Career priorities Where are you now? Where do you want to be? How will you get there? My skills What have you learned? What s out there How is the job market? Career opportunities available to me??

4 What is your personal motivator? Flexibility / variety Good income Job security Managing other people or projects Professional recognition / appreciation High level of responsibility Opportunity to develop skills Status Challenging work using abilities and skills fully Specific geographic location Working in a team or alone Technical expertise / opportunity to be creative Contact with people

5 Traditional & less traditional career paths Postdoc Research group leader A secure position in science? Industry scientist in large biotech / pharma Scientific staff in profit analytical / service laboratory / clinical trial / diagnostics Semi-related options beyond the usual few? Which avenues to pursue?

6 Perform a postdoc abroad? What is you personal drive? Next step to become an independent investigator Richer research experience Loose plans not clear what else Learn fluent English Prove yourself Expand your horizon F C g

7 Postdoc a sound footing for many jobs if. Get your PhD supervisor involved, discuss your plans Demand actively advice, feedback / use his network Move out of the current lab Carefully select your postdoc lab Prestigious lab around the world Publications, topic Lab reputation, facility & atmosphere Fellowships enable autonomy, liberty & recognition Work experience abroad is always a plus in your CV Fluent English is a prerequisite for all follow up positions Try to keep a 2-3 years time period

8 Do think carefully and plan early Figure out where are you best at C Be sure to enjoy a job

9 Staying on into classical academics Going for a junior research group? Self-discipline / stamina & burning to discover? Clear research idea / plan & concept in mind? (Self-)promote your science Joined-up thinking qualities Do you like Managing and budgeting a lab? Networking / self-promotion? Grant, publication writing? Teaching overly broad? Flexible work hours? Supervise PhD students? Doing the Tenure Tango?

10 Exploit spectrum of semi-related careers Computing / data management Bioinformatics & computational biology Huge data sets being generated everywhere Rate limiting step is data analysis But: Biologists / physicians pose the questions / set the goals & priorities Bio suppliers / CROs Grants management / science administration Scientific journalism Your own Start-Up? Consultant

11 You like every nut, bolt & screw? Contract research positions Core units / facilities at governmental research institutions Technical service platforms at universities Screening or service units in biotech & pharma / bio suppliers Being interested in technologies Working meticulously Service-oriented No independent research Process orders Assay development

12 Interested in administrative work? Science administration and managing R&D program funds / grants Science program coordinator / project coordinator Take advantage of Germany's federal and state governments & EU initiatives (Horizon 2020) Hubs of research and development are expanding Joint Initiatives for Research and Innovation Industrial academic partnerships Public relations

13 Types of skills required Knowledge of contracts / grants preparation / management Skill in formulating policy, developing & implementing new strategies Knowledge of current & developing trends in research technology Knowledge of laws, regulations, methods & techniques Ability to organize and co-ordinate research projects

14 Scientific journalism Keeps you tied to the science itself Thousands of journals covering different target groups in the life science area Corporate technical manuals, package inserts another source of jobs s/2005_05_20/nodoi

15 Pharmaceutical industry Industry and academia have two different motives for research Research represents a small part of the complete value chain 0.01% success rate following years of R&D

16 Big pharma is big business with some hurdles Market launch with 0.01% success rate following years of R&D Costs: to Chance for blockbuster not given Looming patent cliff Drying drug pipeline Rigid market authorization AMNOG Healthcare reforms

17 Life science jobs in big Pharma Research scientist Medicinal chemistry Analytics Modeling Cell biology / biochemistry Pharmacology Toxicology Preclinical / clinical Compound formulation Clinical projects Sales & Marketing Training Market research analyst Medical representative Medical science liaison Patent attorney Science manager External opportunities Project manager Project tracking Site operation Purchase Administration Facility management Drug regulatory affairs Production GMP Quality control Purchasing Regulatory Pharmacovigilance Medical writer

18 Needs & expectations What employers look for Commitment and drive Motivation and enthusiasm (burning) Creativity Team-working Flexibility and adaptability Problem solving / analytical Planning and organization Oral communication Time management Report writing Cultural sensitivity

19 Use an opportunity do your homework Build up, maintain your own scientific network Talk to people working in academia and in pharmaceutical industry Use scientific network of your supervisor Take part in mentoring programs Attend job fairs / job markets / career days Use / exploit networking events Informational interviewing / talk to people

20 Questions & Answers Decide it Face it Implement it