By: Sally Wang
One of the most common questions that newly minted PhDs ask when considering non-academic jobs is about the transferability of their skills and knowledge. Given that most PhDs only know one type of research environment, any non-academic venture would appear to be a large departure from the research ecosystem that they are acclimatized to during graduate school. However, those looking to transition into the biotech sector may be pleasantly surprised at how much their skills and knowledge are transferable.
At this iJOBS event, Eduardo Perez PhD, a 2006 Rutgers grad in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, shared his experiences working for a small biotech company. Perez started at Signum Biosciences as a postdoctoral research scientist on a fellowship sponsored by the NJ Commission on Science and Technology and has worked for the company for 14 years and counting. Over the years, he has ascended the career ladder and is now serving as the company’s chief scientific officer (CSO). Perez described small biotech companies such as Signum as “an organized chaos” and that working for them comes with a lot of room for innovation and ability to make an impact on the company’s scientific mission. According to Perez, industry scientists who work for a biotech company typically have three types of job responsibilities in support of the company’s overarching mission.
First, scientists play a role in the company’s business development where they work with the CFO/CEO on strategic initiatives and pitch science to interested companies or investors. They also take part in endeavors such as attending conferences to network and dealing with technology commercialization. Much like exploring funding opportunities and pitching ideas to program officers at grant-funding agencies, this aspect of the industry scientist position is very much about strategically mapping out research aims and garnering interest from potential funders — something that academic scientists are well-versed in. Even technology commercialization is not something far removed from academic research, so much so that many research institutions including Rutgers have an office of technology transfer that facilitates such initiatives. As such, PhDs can be certain that their training in graduate school and postdoc will prepare them well to wear this hat as an industry scientist.
Second, scientists working in biotech contribute to the research and development (R & D) operation of the company. Here, typical duties include performing data analysis, project prioritization, budget allocation, and serving as the point person with collaborators and consultants. These duties are well within the comfort zones of PhD grads and engages similar skillsets that have been honed throughout graduate school and postdoctoral training. Although academic and industry research often diverge in their research objectives, PhDs should not have much problem adapting their lab expertise in academia to pursue more industry-oriented projects.
Third, scientists at a biotech company are involved in medical writing and marketing. The writing aspect comprises tasks such as writing grants and drafting manuscript for peer review whereas the marketing aspect involves making presentations for non-scientists, managing website contents and social media presence. This is another aspect of the industry scientist’s job that a transitioning academic PhD will feel right at home with. Particularly in recent years, academia itself has seen a surge in social media presence where a lot of academics including graduate students maintain an active online profile whether it is via lab or personal websites or Twitter. As such, PhDs transitioning into industry should be no stranger to the world of industry marketing whose goal is to engage the public on the latest scientific advancements.
A small biotech company offers the big-fish-in-a-small-pond environment whereas a big pharma company offers the small-fish-in-a-big-pond environment—something that PhDs looking to enter the biotech sector should consider.
In addition to sharing the types of work that an industry scientist does at a biotech company, Perez also shared his views on how small biotech companies compare to large pharmaceutical companies. According to Perez, while large pharmaceutical firms offer more job security that is coupled to a tried-and-true and structured work environment, small biotech companies could provide more job satisfaction that allows the scientist to be more directly involved in planning and implementing the company's big-picture goals. In other words, a small biotech company offers the big-fish-in-a-small-pond environment whereas a big pharma company offers the small-fish-in-a-big-pond environment—something that PhDs looking to enter the biotech sector should consider.
As you peel away all the industry jargon of CDAs (confidential disclosure agreements) and MTAs (material transfer agreements), the role of an industry scientist at a biotech company is perhaps more similar than different to that of an academic scientist. Whether science is conducted in an academic or industry environment, the ultimate goal is one and the same: leveraging scientific research to solve a problem. What differs will be the application of the solution—where industry tends to be more product-driven whereas academia is more knowledge-driven. However, what is important to take away is that an academically trained scientist has the skills and toolset to successfully transition into the biotech industry.
This article was edited by Junior Editor Gina Sanchez and Senior Editor Samantha Avina.