Project Management as a Career Path for Ph.D.s

MY CAREER PATH: BEFORE GRAD SCHOOL

• Undergraduate degree in psychology with biology concentration: Boston College
  • One year in Steven Heinrichs behavioral neuroscience lab: stressors and cocaine-seeking behavior
• Research Technician at McLean Hospital (Harvard Medical School)
  • One year in primate behavioral pharmacology lab of Jack Bergman and Carol Paronis: examining receptor activation of various compounds by
    behavioral output

MY CAREER PATH: GRADUATE SCHOOL AND POST-DOC

• PhD in Pharmacology from Tufts University, lab of Ron Hammer
  • The Role of BDNF in Subordination Stress-induced Persistent Psychomotor Sensitization
  • 6 years total (3 in Arizona)
• Post doc at NIDA, lab of Bruce Hope (3 years)
  • FACS to study gene alterations in neurons activated during heroin craving
    Role of heroin-cue-activated OFC
  • neuronal ensembles in incubation of heroin craving (Daun02)

MY CAREER PATH: FIRST NONACADEMIC JOB SEARCH

• Lots of reading on “alternative” career paths
  • Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development by Toby Freedman
• 2012, job market not ideal – applied to 40+ jobs (10 – 12 tailored applications with
  cover letters)
• Supportive advisor is very helpful
  • Internship at NIH Office of Tech Transfer (OTT) one day a week for 3 months during post-doc
• Learned how to write a non-academic resume!
• http://sdbn.org/2013/08/05/sdbn-august-26th-event-the-how-what-and-why-of-alternative-careers/ 

FIRST NON-BENCH JOB

• Emergent BioSolutions: medium sized biotech company in MD
  • Biodefense Vaccines division working on late-stage clinical development of anthrax vaccine
  • Project Analyst position in Project Management function
• Job posting requirements:
  • Firm technical background in biological sciences and ability to understand complex projects at a high level
    Exceptional oral and written communication skills and proficiency Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint
  • Previous project management experience is beneficial
  • Experience in working with government grants/contracts and VM is highly desired
  • MS (PhD in Biological sciences preferred)

TRANSITION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

• Steep learning curve
• Drug/biologic development world and clinical trials
• Regulatory pathways: FDA involvement in clinical trials and drug approvals
• Managing budgets
• Managing and leading meetings
• Working on a cross-functional project team

 

• Regulatory
• Clinical
• Non-clinical
• Quality
• Pharmacovigilance (Safety)
• Project
• Management
• Legal