Academia to Industry and Back

Transcription

1 Academia to Industry and Back TRENT WATKINS, PH.D. ASSISTANT PROF., DEPT. OF NEUROSURGERY BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

2 My winding career path Stanford: Ph.D. in Neuroscience Genentech: An academic research postdoc in industry The academic job market Genentech: Biomarkers Scientist in Early Development BCM: Assistant Professor researcher in a primarily clinical department

3 What is life like in industry? Widely varying answers to that question! Company size Company culture Department culture Leadership or lab-based or both Career development opportunities

4 Would I like industry? Widely varying answers to that question! Company size Company culture Department culture Leadership or lab-based or both Career development opportunities My two-cents: The right fit is out there Liking and respecting the people you work with and you work for are key elements to job satisfaction that are often overlooked.

5 Does working in industry mean being faced with unsavory choices and incentives? Well, yes, that is something that could be a part of the equation but don t fall into the trap of imagining that academia is so pure as to be devoid of unsavory incentives. There are many highly intelligent, thoughtful, and ethical people in industry who are science- and patient-driven above all.

6 What skills do I need for industry? Depends on the job Is it highly specific skill-based? (e.g., We need someone to do x computational analysis ) Or is it more broad-based? Some of the more important skills for many jobs that a PhD or postdoc might seek: Communication skills! Team-building skills Reliability

7 What if I don t have the precise expertise that they want? This is highly probable! Great Ph.D.-level jobs in industry are often de facto mentored positions. Seek out and engage mentors!

8 How do I get a foot in the door in industry? Networking Internships Apply, Explore, Interview Repeat Don t try to figure out if it s the right job for me before applying! But don t shotgun apply, especially within the same company. Build on any positive relationships you create at interviews.

9 What is networking? Common mistakes: Starting too late! Being overly-conscious of networking Not recognizing or utilizing the networks you ve created by accident Networking, like life and science, has a healthy dose of the random. Don t expect success to come from any particular interaction or relationship.

10 Your career and your life are not two entirely separate entities Some of your life decisions may be guided primarily by your career opportunities. Some of your career decisions may be guided primarily by your life. Neither of these things are completely in your control! Be flexible and open-minded. Recognize that the things that are most important to you will grow and evolve, and, in some cases, change quite suddenly.

11 Your success is not solely dependent on your science/technical skills Drug Development Scientist in Industry (Biomarkers) 1. Team Leadership & Participation Contributing team member of a drug s CORE team developing strategic goals & timelines Leader of a drug s Biomarkers team science, strategy, execution Coordinating across many functions Research, Early Development, CROs, etc. many people you need help from are not your direct employees: success depends on relationships! 2. Management Review of employees and projects progress and managing up to build support for programs Participating in improving processes from hiring to information management to regulatory adherence Critical review of colleagues programs and projects constructive criticism 3. Communicating progress Presentation skills are paramount! Internal presentations at all levels Major program reviews (Sr management); internal Biomarkers Department (most others in different fields); Development Team; Research team (more expert, but less in tune with Development needs) External presentations and publications oversized importance to career development Serving as a manuscript reviewer yes, this still can matter in industry Identifying and communicating milestones some built-in, others defined by you: You will be evaluated on the milestones you set for you and your team, so they must be communicated clearly.