Science jobs in industry and beyond Think: “Transferable skills” Dr Denise Barrault SULSA Executive Director 15th August 2012 BioDocSoc - Careers in Focus

Field Based PhD – Vector Biology Great PhD project but logistical nightmare End of my PhD, not committed to academia Academic mind-set but willing to change Set of specific skills = Chromatography, separation, purification, project management Independent, self motivated worker

Lab Manager at Life Technologies – 1 year Steep learning curve: Meetings with milestones, performance targets and deadlines Gained an understanding of how to be a industrial scientist After lab set-up…boredom set in Life Technologies Inc.

Post-Doc at the University of Edinburgh – 4 years Project required a collaboration with industry Changed field to immunology Science was not boring but frustrating Suddenly had two children - new career challenge Philosophy for change: Combine science innovation with a more stable/flexible work environment….maybe a start-up?

Product Manager at Lab901 – 6 years Lab901 was a start-up – 6 th FT employee Learnt about industrial R&D, product management, customers, investment Great multidisciplinary work environment Collaborated with academia and industry Hit career limitations after 6 years…

Tips for moving to industry Plan early Network – Go and meet the people you may want to work with Don’t be scared to try something new and different…you can always change Develop some business etiquette – presentation and attention to detail can make a huge difference

What is SULSA?

Executive Director at SULSA – 2 years Broad spectrum knowledge in the life sciences Lots of admin – have a great team Politics of science Build consortia to apply for large project grants Collaborate with industry – affect a culture change in academia Network - Communicate

Opportunity