Research & Development (R&D)
Introductory resources
- Industry Drug Discovery (7-min PhD testimony video).
- Six-seven career transition stories into Pharma/Biotech R&D (17-min video).
- Principal Scientific Research Investigator informational interview, CandidCareer video.
- Further explore specific career areas by field or job function:
- Careers in Microbiology (ASM).
- Careers in the Chemical Sciences and Biochemistry (ACS).
- Biomedical Engineers – overview (BU Vault).
- CRISPR Scientists – overview (BU Vault).
- Data Scientists – overview (BU Vault).
- Drug Developers – overview (BU Vault).
- Environmental Scientists – overview (BU vault).
- Genetic Counselors – overview (BU Vault).
- Genetic Engineers – overview (BU Vault).
- Genetic Scientists – overview (BU Vault).
- Medical Scientists – overview (BU Vault).
- Microbiologists – overview (BU Vault).
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists – overview (BU Vault).
- What is biotechnology? (career areas, roles, companies, jobs), Biotech Careers.
- After R&D, Process Development, panel discussion with Process Development scientists (Scismic, 33-min YouTube video).
- If you are interested in Process Development as a career area, be on the lookout for AMGEN Process Development online lecture series in April-May.
Venturing further in this career area
- Biotech Unveiled, free online course by RA Capital – if you are interested in learning more about the broad context of drug (small molecules, biologics, etc.) development, from preclinical development to the marketplace.
- Industry Research & Development Careers (49-min career panel video).
- What does research outside of academia look like? (1-hour discussion panel).
- Research and Business Development as a Senior Scientist (19-min video).
- BioBuilder Career Conversations with Biotech professionals.
Learning by doing job-related tasks
Intersect Job Simulations have been designed by PhDs for PhDs. To make the most of them, please set up SMART Goals to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the Self-Reflection Sheet, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.
- Job simulation – Industry Drug Development & Manufacturing.
Preparing your transition into this career area
- Focus on your skills, Nature article.
- To stay up to date about biotech trends:
- Big4Bio, to follow trends, explore company repositories across US biotech hubs.
- Biospace Career Insider – quarterly career update newsletter.
- Fierce Biotech.
- FiercePharma.
- While you can apply for entry-level roles in R&D, feel free to also explore available fellowships, postdoctoral programs, and other graduate leadership programs hosted by companies, like:
- Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities, etc.
- Consider attending local student biotech club events (e.g., BU Biotech Club, Harvard Biotech Club, etc.), joining Boston Life Science Hikers, or other networking events in Boston.
- Seek mentors to support you in your transition:
- Look for BU Mentors and Alumni who have transitioned into this career area.
- The Social Scientist enables early-career researchers to connect with folks who have transitioned in various career areas, including in communication and outreach.
- The SMDP program provides mentorship and training to ethnically diverse and/or economically disadvantaged students (from undergrad to PhD) and postdocs, and support their career transition into Biotech and Medtech.
- Analyze job descriptions to learn more about what companies are currently looking for.
- Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.
- Growing your network and having informational interviews with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job’s daily responsibilities, hiring processes, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.