Careers in R&D:
Where will your PhD take you?
Dr Paige Maguire PhD GAICD
CRICOS No. 00213J
Queensland University of Technology
Career Paths: which way is up?
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CRICOS No. 00213J
About me
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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
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Worked in multiple unis
Extra study
Board seats
Managed start-ups
Industry Committee appts and awards
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CRICOS No. 00213J
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
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Career Options: sectors
Corporate
Academic
R&D Company
University
CRO
Commercialisation
Government
Start-up company
Technology-based
Company
Research Institute
Professional services
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CRICOS No. 00213J
Career Options: using your PhD
Technical
R&D
manager
Research Scientist
(CSO, Team leader, PI,
Product development)
Patent
attorney
Venture
capitalist
Field Applications
Non-tech
Executive / Board
Business
development
Consulting
Tech
transfer
QC / Regulatory
Sales
Publishing
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CRICOS No. 00213J
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
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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
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Case Studies: S
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PhD at University of Qld – biotech
Management consulting – 2 years
UniQuest
Technology management for national nfp company
Head of Product innovation for multinational company
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CRICOS No. 00213J
Case Study – D
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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
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CRICOS No. 00213J
Case Study - J
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PhD at an Australian Uni (plant science)
Postdoc in France
CSIRO position
MBA
Management consultant
Venture capitalist
Biotech Executive (COO)
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Case Study - D
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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
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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)
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real world
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CRICOS No. 00213J
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
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CRICOS No. 00213J
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.....
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CRICOS No. 00213J
Questions, advice?
[email protected]
a university for the
real world
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CRICOS No. 00213J