Career Exploration Series: Beyond the Bench Careers in Industry (OPD webinar): (NOTE: UMN login required - access to this seminar is restricted to the UMN community)

Career Exploration Series: Careers in Medical Affairs at MyoKardia (OPD webinar): (NOTE: UMN login required - access to this seminar is restricted to the UMN community) Five panelists (including one BGREAT alum) talk about their careers in medical affairs at MyoKardia (recently acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb).

Tooling Up: The Business Development Career Track (article)

Scientists as Competitive-Intelligence Analysts (article)

Industry non-Bench Careers (webinar): This panel surveys non-bench career options in the industrial setting, including positions as medical liaisons and affairs, quality control, regulatory affairs, program management, and customer service management.

Consulting Careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development): Read about what consultants do, connect to other resources about consulting, find a list of organizations that hire PhDs for consulting roles, and check out resources for applying to consulting jobs.

Consulting (blog post from PhD Career Guide)

The Science Careers guide to consulting careers for Ph.D. scientists (article)

Tips for Advanced Professional Degree Candidates (information from McKinsey & Co.)

Careers for STEM PhDs: Life Science Consulting (article)

Consulting 101 (podcast):The host breaks down the process of landing a highly-competitive job at consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, Bain, etc. He shares his own transition from a neuroscience postdoc to BCG consultant, and offers tangible advice on things like developing your “brand,” case interviewing using an intuitive problem-solving approach, and telling honest and compelling stories about yourself.

The UMN College of Science & Engineering offers courses in Data Science, including a Data Science Certificate program.

Data Science Careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development)

From Doctorate to Data Science: A Very Short Guide (article)

Are you interested in data science, and wanting to build your skill set? Online education resources like Coursera and Code Academy can help you strengthen your skills.

MinneAnalytics is a local nonprofit organization that facilitates the sharing of knowledge and ideas among analytics professionals across business, technology, and decision science. They hold events and conferences, and it’s free to join their group. They have user groups specific to different interest areas.

Preparing Future Faculty Program, from the UMN Center for Educational Innovation: Assists graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in developing teaching skills and exploring the faculty role at the college or university level. You'll discuss learning theory and strategies, develop teaching skills, create classroom and job search materials, and work with faculty from a range of institutional types.

Academic Career Readiness Assessment: A rubric developed by UCSF to provide graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with the information they need to explore, plan for and apply to faculty positions at different types of institutions, regardless of their understanding of the intricacies of the U.S. education system and independently of the mentoring they receive.

‘Research Culture: A survey-based analysis of the academic job market’ (peer-reviewed article): Analyses of 317 responses to a survey about the academic job market in 2018-2019. The authors analyzed the responses to explore the interplay between various scholarly metrics and hiring outcomes.

Academic Job Search (blog post from UC Berkeley Career Center)

Webinars/Videos:

• Univ of Michigan Med School’s Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies “Faculty Corner” (series of webinars)

• Faculty Careers: An Introduction to Academia (webinar): Explore the world of academia with panelists who have pursued research-intensive careers across a variety of academic settings. Topics covered in this session include: What are the benefits of pursuing a career in academia? What does it take to succeed? How does the higher education system in the United States work, and how do research-intensive positions at different types of research institutions differ?

• Succeeding at the Academic Job Search in the Sciences [teaching institutions] (webinar): Elizabeth LeClair, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at DePaul University provided an insider’s view as to who gets hired for academic positions in the sciences at teaching institutions and how applicants can prepare.

• Negotiating in Academia (webinar): Dr. Waajida Small shares basic techniques on how to negotiate once you’ve been offered a teaching opportunity. Viewers will leave the session with an understanding of the basic boundaries of negotiating in academia, what can be negotiated for in tenured vs. non-tenured positions, and knowing when to walk away.

• Live Q&A: Negotiating an Academic Position (video): Panelists shared practical advice and discussed their experiences negotiating an academic research position.

• Not a Bad Gig: Academic Careers in the Two Year Colleges (webinar): Rob Jenkins from Georgia Perimeter College covers the two-year college job search from finding the right job to the application process to interviewing. He addresses typical expectations for community college faculty, how to succeed and thrive as a faculty member and gives practical and important advice on career advancement.

• Life at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (short video): A. Malcolm Campbell tells us about his experiences as a professor at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution, or PUI.

Academic faculty job applications typically require a lot of written materials. This article on Sample Materials for Faculty Positions from UCSF outlines various components of a faculty application packet, provides helpful tips, and links to sample documents. Below are additional resources for specific components of the faculty application packet.

• Diversity Statement resources from Vanderbilt, UNC Chapel Hill, and InsideHigherEd

• Teaching Statement resources from the UMN Graduate School, Vanderbilt, UNC Chapel Hill, and Cornell

• Research Statement resources from the University of Washington (including links to sample statements)

Articles

• Science Policy Careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development): Read about what science policy work entails, connect to other resources about science policy jobs, find examples of science policy organizations that hire PhDs, and check out resources for applying to science policy jobs.

• Nonprofit Careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development): Read about what types of nonprofit positions, connect to other resources about nonprofit positions, find examples of nonprofit organizations that hire PhDs, and check out resources for applying to nonprofit jobs.

• Nonprofit Leadership By and For Early Career Scientists (article)

• Careers at Nonprofits and NGOs (article)

Webinars/Videos

• Career Exploration Series: Careers in the Government and Nonprofits (OPD webinar): (Note: UMN login required) Panelists (all UMN BGREAT alumni!) discuss their careers in the government and nonprofits.

• How to Apply for Federal Jobs (webinar): The federal job application process can be daunting, as you navigate lengthy online forms and strict deadlines. Through this webinar, you’ll learn how to make your application stand out when searching for jobs at government agencies, labs, and institutions. Learn from the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Resources Specialists.

• Careers in Science Policy (short video): Self-described “brain nerd” and neuroscientist Debra Cooper describes her transition to a career in science policy and gives an overview of the multifaceted roles scientists can do in this field.

• Careers in Science Policy Panel (webinar): Science policy includes both policy for science (what science should the government fund?) and science for policy (what does science tell us about the many policy issues the world faces, like the health of the oceans or maternal-child health?). The panelists will describe their careers in science policy by sharing their career paths and key experiences. They will also discuss the diverse opportunities available in this field and the skill set needed to compete effectively for them.

• Government Careers Panel (webinar): The Federal government offers a wide range of jobs for scientists, including positions in regulatory affairs, technology transfer, grants management, program management/administration, food safety, science policy, and science communication. Panelists will discuss transitions from the bench to government positions away from the bench, the expectations and regulations that apply to Federal workers, and how Federal positions compare to similar jobs outside the government.

Fellowships in Science Policy

• AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships: AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) provide opportunities to outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policy making while contributing their knowledge and analytical skills to the federal policymaking process. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government in Washington. Each year, the program adds to a growing corps of over 3,400 strong of policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits and industry to serve the nation and the world.

• Hellman Science & Technology Policy Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences: As part of the Academy’s Initiative for Science, Engineering, and Technology, the Hellman Fellowship in Science and Technology Policy provides an opportunity for an early-career professional with training in science or engineering to learn about a career in public policy and administration. While in residence, Hellman Fellows work with senior scientists and policy experts on critical national and international policy issues related to science, engineering, and technology.

• Explore this list of Science & Technology Policy Fellowships

The UMN Technology Commercialization unit offers internships for graduate students and postdocs interested in exploring careers in intellectual property/technology transfer.

Intellectual Property/Technology Transfer careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development): Read about what this type of career entails, find a list of relevant job titles, and connect to resources for obtaining a job in tech transfer.

Finding Job Satisfaction in Technology Transfer (article)

The NIH OITE has interviewed professionals about careers in Technology Transfer. Watch interviews with Sam Bish, PhD, and Nakisha Holder, PhD.

Medical Science Liaison: a career option for PhDs (article)

Career Exploration Series: Medical Science Liaison Careers (OPD webinar): (NOTE: UMN login required - access to this seminar is restricted to the UMN community) Five panelists (including 3 BGREAT alum, and one former UMN postdoc) talk about their careers in as medical science liaisons.

Life Beyond the PhD. Medical Science Liaison: Soft Skills Meet Science (webinar): Jeffrey Mosenson, PhD shares his career journey from PhD/Postdoc to his current role as Medical Science Liaison in Leo Pharma. Additionally, Jeffrey shares in-depth details of MSL industry and specific roles.

MSL Consultant Podcast

MSL Talk Podcast (episode 40 addresses a common question - how can you get an MSL position if you don't have experience?)

Medical Science Liaison and Medical Affairs Networkers LinkedIn group: This group is designed to provide a forum for Medical Affairs Professionals working in the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, CRO, and Medical Device industries to network, access industry experts and share best practices.

The Medical Science Liaison Society: Find resources, events, job postings for Medical Science Liaisons.

A Hidden Academic Workforce (article)

Core Facilities: Shared Support (article)

Biology Needs More Staff Scientists (article)

The Vanderbilt Beyond the Lab (video series) interviews professionals in a range of careers. Interviews with Academic Core Facilities and Staff Scientists include Rob Carnahan, PhD, Kim Dahlman, PhD, T. Renee Dawson, PhD, and Hayes McDonald, PhD.

The Association for Biomolecular Resource Facilities hosts a list of job openings at resource facilities.

NCI Research Specialist Award (R50): The NCI Research Specialist Award encourages the development of stable research career opportunities for exceptional scientists who want to pursue research within the context of an existing cancer research program, but not serve as independent investigators. These scientists, including researchers within a research program, core facility managers, and data scientists, are vital to sustaining the biomedical research enterprise. The Research Specialist Award is intended to provide salary support and sufficient autonomy so that individuals are not solely dependent on NCI grants held by others for career continuity.

Industry Research Careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development): Read about what industry research careers entail, connect to other resources, find a list of organizations that hire PhDs for consulting roles, and more.

So, What’s it Really Like to Work in Biotech? (article)

Mythbusting for Academics: Considering a Job in Biotech/Pharma (article)

Career Exploration: Research Careers in Industry (OPD webinar): (NOTE: UMN login required - access to this seminar is restricted to the UMN community) Five industry professionals (including 3 BGREAT alumni) talk about their career paths to research careers in industry. They share a wealth of wisdom and experience, as well as timely advice for job searching, applying and transitioning to a new role.

Industry Research & Development Careers (webinar): This panel will provide an overview of careers in research and development to help you discover where your interests and skill sets might fit.

Job Hunting in Industry: Searching, Applying, Interviewing, and Negotiating for a Scientist Position in Biotech and Pharma (video series): Job hunting in industry might seem like a mysterious or overwhelming task, but there are specific skills you can learn to make the process approachable and successful. In a series of four talks you will learn to effectively search, apply, interview and negotiate for industry scientist positions.

Grad Students Should Consider Administrative Work (article)

Love Research? Don’t Miss Out on Careers in Research Administration and Development (article)

Careers in Core Facility Management (article)

Academic Job Exploration: The Core Facility Manager (article)

Panel on Careers in Science Administration (video from OPD Career Exploration Series): (NOTE: UMN login required - access to this seminar is restricted to the UMN community) The OPD and a panel of professionals discuss careers in science administration.

Careers in Science Administration Panel (webinar): Administration determines and defines the goals of an organization to help management implement strategies and programs to achieve the goals. Administration includes coordination of programs and helping to set the compass of the organization. Opportunities in science administration include grants management at both funding agencies and recipient institutions such as universities; administering research projects or training programs; and running clinical trials or collaborative academic studies.

The Vanderbilt Beyond the Lab (video series) interviews professionals in a range of careers. Interviews with science administrators include Jerome Jourquin, PhD, Amy Moore, PhD, Andrea Bauman-Carnegie, PhD, Rebecca Latimer, PhD, and Robert Lavieri, PhD.

Science Communication: A Career Where PhDs Can Make a Difference (article)

Science Writing and Editing (article from Science Careers)

Science Communication & Outreach Careers (blog post from UCSF Office of Career & Professional Development)

What to Do if You Want to Become a Freelance Writer (article)

An International Student’s Guide to Freelancing in the U.S. (article)

Panel on Scientific Communication Careers (video from the OPD Career Exploration Series): (NOTE: UMN login required - access to this seminar is restricted to the UMN community) The OPD and a panel of alumni who have careers in scientific communications discuss how they navigated from a PhD to their current roles.

Career Panel on Science Communication (video), from the NIH OITE: A panel of science communication professionals speak about their work in science communication.

Science Communication Organizations and Events:

• Speaking Science (UMN resource): Boreas is the lead organizer of a university-wide initiative to provide immersive opportunities for faculty, postdocs and graduate students to learn how to better communicate their science to audiences beyond the academic community. We bring in national and local experts so that you can learn how to effectively tell the story about why your research matters. They have a one-day conference, a year-long improv series, workshops and we’re working on compiling online tools and campus resources.

• The Art of Science Communication course from ASBMB: An 8-week online course that provides fundamental training in science communication, focusing on how to present science to a nonexpert audience in a formal setting, such as a public lecture. This course is offered three times per year, and participants can receive a certificate of completion. (Cost: $25 for ASBMB members, $100 for non-members.)

• ComSciCon: A series of workshops focused on the communication of complex and technical concepts organized by graduate students, for graduate students. ComSciCon attendees meet and interact with professional communicators, build lasting networks with graduate students in all fields of science and engineering from across the US and Canada, and write and publish original works. National and regional workshops are available.

• The Open Notebook: A non-profit organization that provides tools and resources to help science, environmental, and health journalists at all experience levels sharpen their skills. Resources include articles about getting started in science journalism, examples of stories that use narrative to tell science stories, and a database of successful pitches of science stories.

• NPR Scicommers: A community of scientists and engineers that includes undergrads, graduate students, post docs and faculty interested in improving their science communication skills. NPR Scicommer initiatives include a writing program, mentor chats featuring panelists of professionals, and Slack channels to help build professional networks.

• National Association of Science Writers (NASW): The NASW offers a wide array of resources to the science writing community, many of which do not require NASW membership.

• American Medical Writers Association (AMWA): The AMWA website houses a wealth of information about the field of medical writing, including event information, education resources, and career information (including a guide on becoming a medical writer). Some materials are only available to members, but some resources are free and publicly available.

Science Communication Fellowships

• AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship: This annual, paid, 10-week summer program places science, engineering, and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Fellows use their academic training as they research, write, and report today’s headlines, sharpening their abilities to communicate complex scientific issues to the public. This is a great opportunity for trainees interested in a career in science communication.

• National Cancer Institute Communications Fellowship: During their one-year fellowship, NCF Fellows will gain work experience in an NCI host office and participate in a wide variety of professional development opportunities.

Transitioning from Researcher to Outreacher (article)

How to Get a Job in Science Education and Outreach (article)

Panel on Careers in Science Education and Outreach (video from OPD Career Exploration Series)

Science Education and Outreach Careers (webinar): Science education and outreach allow scientists to promote and expand interest in and a deeper understanding of STEM disciplines. Education and outreach activities can also encourage young people to consider STEM careers. Careers in this important field are found not only in educational institutions at all levels, but also in museums, scientific professional societies, funding institutions, and international organizations that include a focus on health and science.

Jobs in Science Engagement (job board): This job board is run by the Association of Science and Technology Centers. Search for jobs related to science engagement (featured categories include development, education, exhibit/curatorial, and management).