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Careers in R&D: Where will your PhD take you?

Careers in R&D: Where will your PhD take you? . Dr Paige Maguire PhD GAICD. Career Paths: which way is up?. About me. PhD in biotech/med sci Postdoc / Fellowships at Harvard and MGH (Boston) Scientist for Scientific / R&D company (Silicon Valley) Commercialisation/management exec

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Careers in R&D: Where will your PhD take you?

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  1. Careers in R&D:Where will your PhD take you? Dr Paige Maguire PhD GAICD

  2. Career Paths: which way is up?

  3. About me • PhD in biotech/med sci • Postdoc/ Fellowships at Harvard and MGH (Boston) • Scientist for Scientific / R&D company (Silicon Valley) • Commercialisation/management exec • Principal Academic Consultant • Worked in multiple unis • Extra study • Board seats • Managed start-ups • Industry Committee appts and awards

  4. What does a career in R&D involve? • Academia / Institutional • More emphasis on discovery (R) and less on application (D) • Research management and other skills help but are not formally required • Managing budgets and people • Communication and self-motivation skills • “Soft” money • Autonomy • Corporate • Some discovery but emphasis is on developmental research • Management skills required to progress (technical skills will get you in the door but no further) • Corporate culture re: funding, direction, output and benefits • Small vs large companies differ

  5. Corporate Academic R&D Company University Commercialisation Government Technology-based Company Start-up company Research Institute Professional services Career Options: sectors CRO

  6. Career Options: using your PhD Non-tech Technical R&D manager Research Scientist (CSO, Team leader, PI, Product development) Executive / Board Patent attorney Business development Venture capitalist Field Applications Consulting Tech transfer QC / Regulatory Sales Publishing

  7. Leaving academic pursuits: going over to the “dark side” • It is not for everyone • Academia is no the only valid pathway • Leaving does not mean you have wasted your time – a PhD teaches you more than your thesis topic • Shows passion, commitment, drive, autonomy • Demonstrates critical/ outside-the-square analysis • Can also show focus, and special skills • Technical skills can be used in many other jobs • Many reasons for changing directions – don’t get stuck in what is the ‘expected’ path

  8. Case Studies: S • PhD at University of Qld – biotech • Management consulting – 2 years • UniQuest • Technology management for national nfp company • Head of Product innovation for multinational company

  9. Case Study – D • PhD at a US university • Postdoc 1 at a US university • Postdoc 2 at a UQ • Worked for a biotech company – commercial and science applications • Qualified as a Patent Attorney • Commercialisation professional

  10. Case Study - J • PhD at an Australian Uni (plant science) • Postdoc in France • CSIRO position • MBA • Management consultant • Venture capitalist • Biotech Executive (COO)

  11. Case Study - D • Engineering degree • PhD at UQ • External consultant for aerospace industry O/S • Systems engineer for and O/S govt defense • Continued education to update skills

  12. Finding a path .... • What should I do? • Talk with people who have taken a particular direction • Ask about their typical day – consider how you would like to spend your day and what you enjoy • Identify your key non-scientific skills • Do your homework –hunt around • Find a champion to point you in the right direction • Think outside the box – it is not always about following a straight line • Think about what your key drivers are (be aware of when they change throughout your career)

  13. How to get the position • Redefine your skills in terms of activities appropriate to the industry or position • Research the organisation before approaching them • describe what you've done in terms that those in the industry will understand • search for topics/skills/experience common with the industry • Don’t be overly academic in your approach • BE FLEXIBLE • Consider an appropriate educational course • Learn how to speak to your audience

  14. My 2c worth • Find a mentor at every stage of the game • Do at least one good stint as a Postdoc – in another country if possible • Don’t be afraid to try something new –take risks • Learn to communicate at all levels • Don’t let poverty drive your decisions • Don’t think obtaining a PhD is the end of the line for education • Learn how to sell yourself • Get involved in professional organisations • Network , network, network.....

  15. Questions, advice? p.maguire@qut.edu.au

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