FROM BENCH TO KERBSIDE
Dr Maura Hiney, HRB
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Clinical
Practice
and Health
care
Applied
Biomedical
Research
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Applied
clinical and
social care
research
Basic
Biomedical
Research
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Academic Career Continuum
Science/Health Science Degree
Phd (alone or with MSc)
Post-doc
Lecturer
Prof
Most scientists (over 90%) don’t end up
being academics
or doing bench science
There is a big world out there!
The routes to a non-academic career are
MORE BYWAYS THAN HIGHWAYS
Science Degree
MSc
PhD
Industry–led
research
Post Doctoral
research
Non-research careers:
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Science teaching
Grant management
Science publishing
Hospital science
Science policy
Patent law/agent
Medical sales/marketing
Science administration
Technology Transfer
Science communication
Non-science careers:
(Often using analytical/ numerical/
problem solving skills)
University
Lecturer
•Computing
•Insurance and Finance
•Regulatory affairs
•Business development
Scientists are usually
good at:
•Analysis and logical thinking
•Numeracy
•Problem solving
•Research skills
•Attention to detail and
accuracy
•Being intelligent!
They may need to improve
their:
•Spoken and written
communication
•Presentation skills
•Social skills
•Leadership - project
management skills
•Ability to deal with clients and
customers
•Business awareness
It is unfortunate that doctoral and post-doctoral
training are often viewed as a pre-professional
apprenticeship instead of a life-enriching period
Let’s look at few case studies to illustrate the point!
Some Case studies: 1
Who knows?
Head of Policy HRB
Director of Research
Office NUI Galway
Post-doctoral researcher
Fish Diseases
PhD Molecular Epidemiology
and Diagnostics
MSc Biotechnology
BSc Microbiology NUI Galway
State registered nurse (SRN)
Maura Hiney
Policy and Evaluation
Some Case studies: 2
Director, 3U
Head of Capital HEA
Director of Research UCC
Strategy Development Food
Science UCC
Production Bakery technologist
(Green Isle)
Industry Research (Kerry)
PhD Dairy Microbiology
BSc Microbiology
Ruth Davis
Director, 3U
Some Case studies: 3
Communications Executive
EU Joint Programme (JPND)
Exec Manager Stakeholder Forum
European Biobanking Research
Infrastructure (BBMRI)
Communications Officer, REMEDI
Post-Doctoral Researcher NYU
PhD Molecular Medicine, UCD
BSc in Biotechnology, NUIG
Derick Mitchell
Science
Communication
Some Case studies: 4
Chief Bioethics Officer
Department of Health
Scientific Director Irish
Council for Bioethics
Senior Researcher
Clinical Trials
Post-doc Respiratory Medicine
MD/PhD Medical Sciences (Norway)
BSc Microbiology
Siobhan O’Sullivan
Government Officer
Some Case studies: 5
Director of Research
Arthritis Foundation
Program Director SFI
Editor - Science
Senior Researcher
Harvard Medical School
Post-doc
Harvard Medical School
PhD Immunology
BSc Zoology
Stephen Simpson
Director of Research
Some Case studies: 6
VP - Clinical & Data
Initiatives
Exec Director – data
management;
Pharmacovigilance
CRO - Project Manager
Clinical Research Associate
Scientific Officer – Overseas
development agency
MSc Nutrition UCC
Dip Clinical Sciences UK
BSc Microbiology NUIG
Cliona O’Leary
Clinical Research
Organisation
These positions all require the knowledge gained
and the credentials earned through doctoral
training and independent research
There is no roadmap.
There are no right and wrong turns.
There are as many paths as there are opportunities.
Step 1: Strategies to use to get an
employer to hire you
1.
Know what you have to offer:
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your interests (do some soul-searching)
your skills (technical & transferable)
be able to express them in your CV and at an interview
Research the employers to find out what they are
looking for
3. Make the match between your skills and their needs
4. Network, network, network
2.
Know what you have to offer!
It is very important to do some self-assessment:
A)What are my interests, values and goals?
B)What are my skills?
A) What are my interests & values?
Start by asking yourself some basic questions:
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Why did you do your degree?
What motivates you?
What is your dream job?
What is important to you?
What are your ambitions/goals for the future?
A) What are my interests & values?
Figure out what drives you:
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What makes you happy?
Where do you get your greatest satisfaction?
Different people require different exercises
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Personality tests
Feedback from family, friends, colleagues
Personal exercises
Geographical
Preference
Working
Conditions
Special
Knowledge
Transferable
Skills
People
Environment
People, ideas,
information, data
& things
Goals,
Purposes and
Values
Personal
Traits
How much are
you worth?
McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS)
B) What are my skills?
• Technical (hard) skills
• Transferable (soft) skills
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Analytical / Critical Thinking / Problem Solving
Ability to synthesize / Deal with Complexity
Technical Writing / Report Writing
Research Methodology / Data Analysis Techniques
Computer Skills / Simulation
Organised / Thorough / Precise / Detail Oriented
B) What skills are employers
looking for?
All the technical and transferable skills
mentioned PLUS….
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Negotiating / Communication Skills
Leadership skills
Teamwork / Business Acumen / Honesty
Adaptability / Reliability / Autonomy
Good Work Ethic
Step 2: Explore the options
• Government, industry and non-profit sectors employ
researchers of all kinds
• Consider less conventional roles (policy analyst,
science writer, content developer, advocate, patent
agent etc)
• Start building professional contacts in different
sectors and talk
• Look at what additional training might put you on the
right path
Job
V
Degree
>
Environ
mental
Bio
science
Chemistry
Forensic
Science
Pharma
Physics
Maths
Computer
Electronics
Science
Industry R & D
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Hospital Science
Forensic Science
Teaching
Toxicology
Pharmacologist
Epidemiology
Bioinformatics
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Neuroscience
Production &
Quality
Regulatory
Affairs
Clinical Trials
Information
Scientist
Medical Sales
Patent Work
Environmental
Health
Science Admin.
Science Writing
Doctor / Nursing
Therapies
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Step 3: Look at possible recruitment
sources
A. Web and Print
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University Library
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B. Public Events
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Books on Careers
Directories of employers
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Websites
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Recruitment sites
Company sites
Blogs
Career Fairs
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Have specific questions
about the organisation
Personal appearance
and manner
Information Sessions/
Career Panels
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Try to get names and
make acquaintances.
Step 4: Research the Employer
• All successful job searches are based on extensive
research on the career area, the industry and on
specific employers in which you are interested
• Your Goals:
o Figure out the fit between your skills and interests and
goals and available fields of employment
o Research the employer before you establish contact
• Set up a timetable with specific goals and deadlines
Research the employment
- Conduct Information Interviews
What is an information interview?
• A meeting with a person who works for an
organisation of interest to you, or who has the kind
of job you are looking for
• The goal of the meeting is:
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Find out as much information about the company/position
as you can
Communicate your skills and interests
Obtain additional contact/people in similar positions in
other companies
Some typical information
interview questions
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What was your career path?
What do you do on a daily basis?
How did you get there?
What is your organization/industry all
about?
What exactly do you do?
How did you get your foot in the door?
What was you academic background?
What skills do you need for your job?
What do you love about this job?
What are you most challenged by?
What do you dislike about the job?
What is your schedule like?
How do you feel about your work/family
balance?
• How much time is
administrative? w/clients?
• What professional development
opportunities do you have?
• Where do you see yourself going from
here?
• How might I position myself in this field?
• Re-credential?
• What skills do I need?
• CV suggestions? How might I market
myself more effectively?
• Given my credentials, what income
range could I expect to start at?
• Can you recommend professional
organisations/publications with which I
should become familiar?
• Can you recommend anyone else that I
should talk to?
Conducting Information Interviews
Do:
Don’t:
• Be clear and direct about the
• Ask for a job
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purpose of your interview
Dress appropriately, treat it like
a professional interview
Be prepared to talk briefly about
your skills
Stay focused in your questions
and be mindful of the time
Follow-up with a thank-you note
• Discuss you or your research at
great length
• Offer your C.V. unless they ask
for a copy
Step 5: Network, Network, Network
Develop a networking mindset:
• Be curious, social and open-minded, overcome
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shyness
Schmooze with people you like, be genuine
Find similarities in interests
Work on your interpersonal and telephone skills
Use professional networking sites (LinkedIN)
More networking
Where do I start networking?
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Who do you know?
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Personal relationships
Professional relationships
Organizational affiliations
Other settings:
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Career fairs
Professional associations and conferences
Finally: Increase Your Marketability
Extracurricular Activities
Take a leadership role in any club, sport or student association
Volunteer Work
Participate in any volunteer or political association that
interests you
Career-related Work
Get a paid or unpaid job or internship in a career-related field –
part-time or summer
Undertake additional training
Some useful links
Irish sites:
•Grad Ireland: http://gradireland.com/career-sectors/science-research-and-development/careersfor-science-graduates-in-ireland
UK sites
•Target Jobs: http://targetjobs.co.uk/
•Bizbit: http://bitesizebio.com/articles/alternative-careers-for-scientists/
•New Scientist http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426042.800-graduate-special-alternativecareers-for-scientists.html
US sites
•Science Careers:
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2010_03_05/scie
nce.opms.r1000085
•Science Mama: http://sciencemamaphd.blogspot.ie/2012/02/nonacademic-careers.html
•PhD Resources: http://www.phds.org/jobs/nonacademic-careers/
Here’s one you mightn’t have thought of!
Any questions?