A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN INDUSTRY SCIENTIST
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | AUDITORIUM
Many postdoctoral scholars wish to move into Industry positions in R&D, operations, strategy and sales; however transitioning into an industry position can be challenging for many reasons. How do researchers transition from academia to industry? How does one choose the right field? Should you work in a large company or a small one? How do you go from your first position into a satisfying career. What is the day to day life of a researcher in industry? What do biotech professionals enjoy most about their work and what aspects of their work do they find the most challenging? Come join us and find out!
ACADEMIC/INDUSTRY COLLABORATION PANEL
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 10:55 AM | AUDITORIUM
An increasing number of academic researchers are collaborating with industry in many scientific areas, from patenting their findings and commercializing new technologies, to setting up companies based on novel discoveries and developing new products; however, collaborations with a goal of generating peer-reviewed publications remain an area of untapped possibility. This panel will focus on developing mutually beneficial, successful collaborations between industry and academic researchers to drive shared research interests and increase the scientific knowledge base. Panelists will talk about their own experiences, obstacles that they may have faced and the strategies they implemented to get mutually beneficial outcomes.
ACADEMIC INTERVIEW PREP
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | YELLOWSTONE ROOM 1
Many trainees aspire to be future faculty members; however most job candidates aren't familiar with the structure of the academic interview. This panel will outline the structure of the in person academic interview in both research- and teaching- intensive institutions with respect to job talks, chalk talks, faculty visits and dinners. This panel will discuss best practices in preparing for an on site interview as well as the pitfalls and common mistakes of first time academic job candidates.
COMMUNICATION PANEL
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | MONADNOCK ROOM
Scientists often have to explain the impact and significance of their research to diverse groups such as non-expert scientists, funders and the lay public; however, many researchers find it challenging to design appropriate messaging and language for diverse audiences. This panel is designed to help early career researchers learn how to communicate better about science to other scientists, funding agencies and the public. Gain training in writing, speaking, and communicating to better articulate information clearly and logically to acquire skills that will benefit you at conferences, during presentations and with your colleagues.
DATA SCIENCE PANEL
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 11:05 AM - 12:05 PM | MONADNOCK ROOM, KATADHIN ROOM
In this age of information, large amounts of data are easily amassed. Thus, in recent years, the demand for data analysis has been on the rise. As more and more companies begin working with large amounts of data, organizations are motivated to use these vast amounts information to improve their offered services by analyzing available data. Recently, data science has increasingly moved from academic research into industry and has become an attractive career choice. In this panel we aim to define what is data science, the skills and practicalities it encompasses and potential career paths in this ever-growing field of work.
DRUG DEVELOPMENT PANEL
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 11:05 AM - 12:00 PM | AUDITORIUM
Many postdocs plan to enter industry R&D in Biotech/Pharma, but lack a thorough understanding of the drug development process. In this panel, speakers will discuss the cultural and scientific differences between Academic research and research in Biotech and Pharma. The phases of drug development including discovery, pre-clinical, formulation/CMC, clinical, regulatory, sales and marketing will be discussed with a focus on the common roles that postdoctoral scholars pursue upon exiting their postdocs. Learn how your postdoctoral training may prepare you for a career in industry R&D. Speakers will include scientists and senior management from small startups through large biotech/pharma.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | AUDITORIUM
As many postdocs well know, Boston has been ranked the best city in the nation for entrepreneurship in recent years, with an unparalleled density of hi-tech and biotech startups in the area. Not surprisingly, postdocs are drivers of much of this innovation and are well positioned to be entrepreneurs being highly motivated, independent and driven subject matter experts, but what does it take to make the leap from a postdoc to becoming an entrepreneur? Is entrepreneurship right for you? We invite experts to discuss the nuts and bolts of transitioning from a postdoc to being a scientific entrepreneur.
FINDING FUNDING
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | BOARD ROOM
One of the most important skills in science is the ability to successfully apply for and acquire funding, whether in a postdoctoral or principle investigator position. Sources of funding are often difficult to identify, and postdocs may find themselves feeling under-equipped in their search and acquisition of grant support. This session will explore approaches for seeking funding, how to tailor applications for foundation and corporate grants, best practices in government grant applications (i.e NIH), and how to write an application that seems beneficial to potential funding partners- “how do I make my application sound fundable?” We invite a diversity of panelists with experience in government, foundation and corporate granting schemes to share their expertise.
HOW TO FIND YOUR NICHE
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 11:05 AM - 12:00 PM | YELLOWSTONE ROOM 1, YELLOWSTONE ROOM 2
With the emergence of new business sectors and continued specialization of technical training, it has become increasingly common that people have to navigate various career options before finding their own “niche”. The traditional recipe of career success - working up a straight career ladder - is becoming a rarity. Securing employment (in both academia and industry) increasingly requires a wide range of skill sets while retaining the ability to show that one is sufficiently specialized for the job at hand. On the other hand, the breadth of career options available today leads to a growing number of applicants with training in more than one area who, just like highly-specialized individuals, might find it hard to market themselves as the ideal fit for a given position. For this panel, we have invited panelists with diverse backgrounds to share their stories of making successful career transitions. We will present examples of rewarding career paths taken by our panelists with ‘non-standard’ backgrounds, and identify some of the resources available to navigate such challenges.
LEADING A TEAM AND COLLABORATING BETWEEN TEAMS
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM | AUDITORIUM
Many postdoctoral scholars are accustomed to working independently to achieve their scientific and professional goals. For many postdocs, collaborating and managing teams, albeit in academic or industry settings is a new and unfamiliar way of advancing their scientific goals. How does one develop stable and productive collaborations? How does one manage and set timelines and expectations? As the majority of postdocs work on individualized projects, they may lack the experience of successfully managing direct reports. Join our panelists to learn about common managerial issues encountered by scientific teams in both academia and industry, techniques to keep teams motivated, how to provide constructive feedback and build good working relationships within and across teams.
TRANSITIONING TO ACADEMIC INDEPENDENCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 10:55 AM | YELLOWSTONE ROOM 1, YELLOWSTONE ROOM 2
Many postdoctoral scholars wish to become academic faculty; however obtaining a faculty position is only the beginning of transitioning to academic independence. Upon becoming a professor, one must consider multiple options: whom do you hire? What equipment and supplies do you purchase? Which students do you choose? How do you balance time for research, grants, and teaching? Join our panelists to learn from those who have recently walked this path to learn how to make the transition to academic independence as smooth as it can be.
WRITING A STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN
SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2018 | 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM | MONADNOCK ROOM
A well thought out research plan is the key to designing a successful career in academic research. Postdocs and early career researchers can benefit particularly from considering their research plan prior to applying for grants and entering the job market. Early and iterative preparation will provide additional time to refine and improve innovative approaches and well-articulated significance. In this workshop, participants will learn strategies on designing a research strategy including significance, innovation and approaches and how to integrate these sections into a robust grant application including specific aims. To be provided specific feedback on your research plan from our panel, please upload your 1-3 page document here.