What can you do with that PhD? 🤷♂️ Chapter #2
Interview with Elli: Navigating the Transition from Academia to R&D in Pharma
Elli really wanted to stay in academia and become a Principal Investigator (PI). However, her transition to an R&D role in industry occurred when she recognized that her academic credentials (namely first-author publications) were not sufficiently competitive to attain a PI position.
Elli embarked on her journey into the pharmaceutical sector by participating in a postdoctoral program facilitated by a pharma company. After one long PhD, funding was running out for her current group, so getting an Early Talent Review Board (ETRB) Post-Doctoral Fellow in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company felt like a sensible way forward.
To provide some background, many pharmaceutical companies offer similar programs, focusing more on industry experience than academic pursuits. Industrial postdocs offer a smooth transition from academic life to corporate and provide great exposure to a business-oriented way of working.
Elli’s experience was slightly different from a regular industry postdoc, as her group was already collaborating with pharma on some projects and found a way to officially jump on the industrial postdoctoral program while still physically working in her old lab.
A very Organic Transition
In the last year of her postdoctoral program, she had to physically relocate from her old lab to be closer to the pharmaceutical company as she would have to spend the last year there, as a part of the program agreement. Once, this last year was over and her postdoc completed, she applied for a Scientific Investigator position within the pharma that met her aspirations and fit her qualifications.
This felt like an organic and natural transition from the last year of her postdoctoral fellowship to the new R&D role in industry. She believes that the postdoc helped her to secure this position, not only because she gained business-related soft skills, but more importantly because she had a strong network and familiarity with the individuals involved in the selection process.
The role was program-oriented, with an emphasis on targeted initiatives rather than groundbreaking innovation. Elli gained invaluable insights into timelines, teamwork within a matrix team, and how you progress drugs from hit identification to candidate selection. Soft skills played a crucial role, from navigating matrix management to strategic communication and emotional intelligence.
Reflecting on her experience, Elli emphasizes the importance of avoiding stagnation. She acknowledges that, in hindsight, she should have been more discerning in selecting research laboratories, opting for those with accomplished PIs and impressive publication records.
For aspiring industry professionals within R&D, Elli recommends exploring diverse opportunities while getting to know oneself:
Building a strong academic network is invaluable, as people often transition between academia and industry. Attend conferences, approach industry representatives, and inquire about their work…