Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

I'm about 2 years from graduating and I'm thinking of my options. Definitely don't want a post-doc or the whole academia thing. My background is in animal behavior/neuroscience. Anyone know of any creative jobs out there. I like the idea of working in a museum, but I have no experience in the field and I'm afraid that I'd have to do more schooling which I do not want to do.

Any suggestions? I have time, I'm just thinking about things...Thanks!

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

Yep! I have a PhD in microbiology and immunology and work in development (a euphemism for fundraising) for a medical center.

Most of my friends have PhDs and are not bench scientists. Two are in law school studying IP/patent stuff, two are consultants (one for startup biotechs, one for govt.), one is a writer, and one is in technology transfer.

There's a whole world outside the lab!

I never got around to reading these books but wanted to:
Alternative Careers in Science
Finding Careers Outside of Academia

Also, I'm sure you know about Science's Next Wave - I learned a ton from that site.

Good luck!

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

I'm actually in the middle of reading the first book! I loved the first two chapters on writing, but I'm not crazy about the corporate world, and the book seems to be corporate heavy.

Fundraising sounds interesting. I also was thinking along the lines of science and the public. What is a typical day like for you?

Thanks!

p.s. Please feel free to FM if you don't want to post

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

I was (am) interested in engaging the public in science, too, but I can't figure out how to go about doing that.

Development is all about building relationships - with faculty, program officers, donors, internal constituents, etc. There are a dozen different kinds of fundraisers at universities and academic medical centers, so I can only talk about my own experience.

I work with foundations and corporations, and have never asked someone for money in person. All of my work is through proposals, usually written in conjunction with a faculty member and sometimes (about 50/50) written in a way that's understandable to a non-scientist, depending on who reads the proposal and makes funding decisions.

Sometimes we're approached by a funder who knows exactly what they want to fund and are shopping around to find the best fit for their interests ("We have $1 million and want to fund something truly innovative in Alzheimer's research"). So we develop a proposal that explains how our research is likely to have a major impact on people with Alzheimer's disease.

In a typical month (there are no typical days!) I'll:
-- meet with a faculty member to learn about his/her research;
-- search internet databases for any new funding sources;
-- strategize about how to pitch a particular research project and to which funding source; and
-- write a proposal.

It's really fun, but I do miss the lab. Not the work - just the environment. I would KILL to be able to wear whatever I wanted and come and go as I please!

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

I should add that DH is always pleased when someone decides not to continue in academia = less competition!

(He's a postdoc.)

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

Thanks so much! You know, that does sound fun! I always enjoy coming up with experiments and ideas, and writing about them. The problem is that I don't like doing the actual research. I get very uneasy with the idea of working so hard to set up a lab/experiment and then having it fail. The idea of working and working and not coming to an end or much progress is frustrating to me. So maybe this is a good career route for me. How did you get into this? Did you need experience in another area before you could enter this field?

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

Wow, thanks! This is so nice to hear. I may FM you more questions as I think of them, if you don't mind. Just so I know what to look for in job searches, does your job have a specific title? Or is just searching in development sufficient?

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

'Development' or 'advancement' are sort of the key terms. 'Corporate and foundation relations' is my precise field.

Hope that helps!

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

A good friend of mine has a PhD in Microbiology and she works for a pharmaceutical company.

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

Wow I just stumpled onto this post!! I'm in the middle of doing my PhD in genetics and am in the same predicament. I'm just starting my 3rd year so I have time yet but I don't know if academia is a good fit for me. If anything, I'd like to teach at a small liberal arts college and not have a lab of my own.

Thanks for the links I will check it out Us nerds need to stick together!

Message edited 8/13/2007 1:30:20 PM.

Re: Anyone here have a PhD in a hard science, but a non-academic career?

Posted by azoodie

Wow I just stumpled onto this post!! I'm in the middle of doing my PhD in genetics and am in the same predicament. I'm just starting my 3rd year so I have time yet but I don't know if academia is a good fit for me. If anything, I'd like to teach at a small liberal arts college and not have a lab of my own.

Thanks for the links I will check it out Us nerds need to stick together!

Message edited 8/13/2007 3:13:07 PM.