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Navigating Your Career Path with a PhD: From Academia to Industry Insights

Explore the diverse career paths available for PhD graduates, specifically in R&D fields. Dr. Paige Maguire shares her journey from academia to industry and highlights key skills, responsibilities, and differences between sectors like corporate, academic, and startup environments. Gain insights from case studies of PhD holders who successfully transitioned into roles in management, consulting, biotech, and more. Discover how to redefine your skills, network effectively, and embrace flexibility in your career to maximize opportunities beyond traditional academic routes.

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Navigating Your Career Path with a PhD: From Academia to Industry Insights

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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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