{"id":99718,"date":"2024-09-21T17:34:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T21:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=99718"},"modified":"2025-07-08T10:22:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T14:22:16","slug":"research-development-rd","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/career-exploration-transition\/research-development-rd\/","title":{"rendered":"Research &#038; Development (R&#038;D)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Introductory resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t28G08TFppc&amp;pp=ygUbcGhkIHRvIGluZHVzdHJ5IGRldmVsb3BtZW50\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Industry Drug Discovery<\/a> (7-min PhD testimony video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zyJ0O-oXaV4&amp;pp=ygUbcGhkIHRvIGluZHVzdHJ5IGRldmVsb3BtZW50\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Six-seven career transition stories into Pharma\/Biotech R&amp;D<\/a> (17-min video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bostonuniversity.candidcareer.com\/videos\/principal-scientific-research-investigator-integrated-diagnosti\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Principal Scientific Research Investigator<\/a> informational interview, CandidCareer video.<\/li>\n<li>Further explore specific career areas by field or job function:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/asm.org\/Articles\/2018\/November\/Careers-in-Microbiology-and-the-Microbial-Sciences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in Microbiology<\/a> (ASM).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acs.org\/careers\/chemical-sciences.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in the Chemical Sciences and Biochemistry<\/a> (ACS).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/biomedical-engineers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biomedical Engineers<\/a> &#8211; overview (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/crispr-scientists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CRISPR Scientists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/data-scientists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Data Scientists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/drug-developers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Drug Developers &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/environmental-scientists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Environmental Scientists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/genetic-counselors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Genetic Counselors &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/genetic-engineers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Genetic Engineers &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/genetic-scientists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Genetic Scientists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/medical-scientists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Medical Scientists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/microbiologists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Microbiologists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/molecular-and-cellular-biologists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Molecular and Cellular Biologists &#8211; overview<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yXYQ4XdyDFw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">After R&amp;D, Process Development<\/a>, panel discussion with Process Development scientists (Scismic, 33-min YouTube video).\n<ul>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Venturing further in this career area<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/racap.thinkific.com\/courses\/biotechunveiled\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biotech Unveiled<\/a>, free online course by RA Capital &#8211; if you are interested in learning more about the broad context of drug (small molecules, biologics, etc.) development, from preclinical development to the marketplace.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Nu9sUoBS4P4&amp;pp=ygUbcGhkIHRvIGluZHVzdHJ5IGRldmVsb3BtZW50\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Industry Research &amp; Development Careers<\/a> (49-min career panel video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iZgHLnD9oUE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What does research outside of academia look like?<\/a> (1-hour discussion panel).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i9eOvNoJnG8&amp;pp=ygUbcGhkIHRvIGluZHVzdHJ5IGRldmVsb3BtZW50\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Research and Business Development as a Senior Scientist<\/a> (19-min video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/biotech-careers.org\/job-areas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What is biotechnology?<\/a> (career areas, roles, companies, jobs), Biotech Careers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/biobuilderlearning.org\/career-conversation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BioBuilder Career Conversations with Biotech professionals<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Learning by doing job-related tasks<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Intersect Job Simulations<\/a> have been designed by PhDs for PhDs. To make the most of them, please set up <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/smart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SMART Goals<\/a> to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/reflection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Self-Reflection Sheet<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Job simulation &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/industry-drug-development-and-manufacturing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Industry Drug Development &amp; Manufacturing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Preparing your transition into this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-019-01332-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Focus on your skills<\/a>, Nature article.<\/li>\n<li>To stay up to date about biotech trends:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.big4bio.com\/regions\/boston\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Big4Bio<\/a>, to follow trends, explore company repositories across US biotech hubs.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiercebiotech.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fierce Biotech<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pharmiweb.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PharmiWeb &#8211; Global Pharma News<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biospace.com\/subscribe-to-career-insider\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Biospace Career Insider<\/a> &#8211; quarterly career update newsletter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>While you can apply for entry-level roles in R&amp;D, feel free to also explore available fellowships, postdoctoral programs, and other graduate leadership programs hosted by companies, like:\n<ul>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrtx.com\/en-us\/careers\/career-growth-and-opportunities\/vertex-fellows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vertex Pharmaceuticals Drug Development Postdoc Program<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vrtx.com\/en-us\/careers\/career-growth-and-opportunities\/co-ops\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vertex Pharmaceuticals co-op program to discover about various career areas<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/careers.astrazeneca.com\/postdocs-astrazeneca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Astra Zeneca R&amp;D Postdoctoral Program,<\/a><\/li>\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.phrmafoundation.org\/news-events\/events\/exploring-career-paths-eli-lilly-and-companys-postdoctoral-fellowships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eli Lilly and Company Postdoctoral Program<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>and more&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities, etc.\n<ul>\n<li>Consider attending local student biotech club events (with BU, Harvard, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Seek mentors to support you in your transition:\n<ul>\n<li>Look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-life\/advising-mentoring\/alumni-mentoring\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GMS Alumni<\/a> who have transitioned into this career area.<\/li>\n<li>The<a href=\"https:\/\/smdp.icpdprograms.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> SMDP program<\/a> 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.<\/li>\n<li>The Social Scientist enables early-career scientists to receive mentorship from folks who have transitioned into various careers &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesocialscientist.org\/industry-mentors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">connect with industry mentors<\/a> (scientists, founders, product managers, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mymedia.bu.edu\/playlist\/dedicated\/207936103\/1_9emp2sqk\/1_2lldbf4b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Analyze job descriptions<\/a> to learn more about what companies are currently looking for.<\/li>\n<li>Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.<\/li>\n<li>Growing your network and <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/infointerviewguide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">having informational interviews<\/a> with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job&#8217;s daily responsibilities, hiring processes, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introductory resources Industry Drug Discovery (7-min PhD testimony video). Six-seven career transition stories into Pharma\/Biotech R&amp;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 &#8211; overview (BU Vault). CRISPR [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20577,"featured_media":0,"parent":99331,"menu_order":17,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99718"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20577"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99718"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99718\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104405,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99718\/revisions\/104405"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}