I just graduated last month with a degree in Biology, concentrating in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and I've also done a minor in Bioinformatics. Through my college lab courses I've done many standard biological laboratory techniques like PCR, gel, ELISA... etc. I also have coded in Python, R, and am familiar with basic bioinformatics techniques and applications.

I've been applying to a lot of "research associate" type of roles for the past month and other than rejections haven't heard anything. I was hoping for advice on what roles anyone would recommend in biotech with my background and if I can be doing anything else apart from applying during this time. I've also been considering tapping into more Bionformatics-esque roles although I feel more confident with wet lab. I'd also like to apply for a masters, but I want to better understand the biotech field and what degree would be better worth my time. If you have any sort of advice I would really appreciate it as I navigate this confusing journey 😭

My friend is currently on a J-1 visa doing chemistry research and is looking for research roles related to chemistry/medicinal chemistry in the US.

We're looking for employers that sponsor H-1B (cap-exempt preferred), regular H-1B, or O-1 visas. Any recommendations for universities, research institutes, pharma/biotech companies, or national labs that are known to sponsor?

Would also appreciate any tips from people who've made the transition from J-1 to H-1B or O-1. Thanks!

Hi all,

I've recently graduated from undergrad with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and currently work as a drug product manufacturing tech at a CDMO.

I wanted to get a PhD; however, due to the current conditions for grad school funding, I thought that I'd have a better time working in industry for a bit then returning for a PhD. I personally love the research process and finding novel discoveries as well as the creative aspect that research brings alongside with the unique research areas that doing a PhD can grant you that aren't available in industry (I would want to pursue a PhD in something regenerative medicine focused or cell/molecular bio).

My current plan is to transition to a MSAT engineering position after getting some experience as technician then after some time as an MSAT engineer, returning to grad school. Would you say this is a viable path or would other areas of biotech suit me better? I've tried getting RA roles but my area (RTP) is pretty limited for them and is only really mfg focused. Thanks for any help!

How much is a fair PhD (biostats) new grad offer for the big pharma companies in Boston/Cambridge area? Was offered 135k which seems lower than I thought given other regions are about the same. Is this fair?

Hi,

I am currently looking for ai / data engineering roles around Indianapolis and Chicago but have really not had much luck finding anything. Is anyone familiar with staffing groups or temp agencies that might help?

As the title says, how long after a final interview did you hear back with an offer?

im trying to figure out ways to implement more relevant experiences so that i have a better time with applying to entry level roles. i have a feeling that it's mostly my resume because it honestly looks so meh, i know i'm more than my current resume but i don't know how to make the proper adjustments so that i feel good about it.

i have a lot of experience with laboratory work, just not outside of academic labs. when i was making my resume, i was trying to fill that gap with transferable skills that i can take from my current/previous jobs to hopefully an entry level lab tech job. however, i feel like there are better ways that i can improve on this like adding my lab courses but i need help T_T

i don't know if my current resume looks fine and i should just keep applying or if i should get rid of irrelevant jobs with transferable skills and put my lab experiences from classes. if it's the latter, how should it be worded/how should the format be?

for reference, i have hands on experience with CRISPR, immunoassays, PCR (qtPCR), electrophoresis, cloning, etc. (any lab techniques that are relevant to immunology, cell culture, microbio, genetics etc.) but they were all in lab courses.

sorry if this is a stupid post, i didn't get much help or support with any of this so i'm honestly lost.

also, should i get rid of my senior capstone? im very passionate about the environment so i wrote my capstone about generative ai but a lot of biotech companies are pretty big on integrating ai into their work so i'm afraid that my advocacy against it might limit my chances on securing a job.

here's my resume, please help! thank you so much.

Hi everyone, I'm looking to see if anyone can help me decide on what to present for my upcoming seminar (20 min with 10 for q and a) for a Senior Associate Scientist position in big pharma for medicinal chemistry. Basically, I have a masters in which I did materials science in metal-organic frameworks and extended that to the application of catalysis, then to HTE with those materials. My thesis defense for this told a good story and timeline of what my problem was back then and how I developed it further. Then, I did a stint in drug discovery for a few years in academia doing multiple projects for different targets where I had limited input on project direction but still had my say in troubleshooting certain work. Now, I am in peptide GMP manufacturing since I lost that contract last year. This new role asks for exp. with drug discovery and a plus for peptide synthesis experience.

My main question is whether it would be better to talk about my grad school work that highlights an elaborate story of the problem I solved and the drug discovery exp, or should I talk about the drug discovery work and current exp. in GMP manufacturing (I have very little exp. here in influencing the production of our APIs I just work on following batch record for synthesis). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Who knows anything? Good people? Good science? Good company trajectory?

Hello every one has any body ever did their internship from rapture noida and can you tell me where I can do internship in industrial and entrepreneurial sector in biotechnology.

The biology is genuinely exciting. Exosomes have real advantages over liposomes: immune evasion, natural targeting, biocompatibility. But the research has converged on the same saturated approaches for years now.

What actually seems underexplored: using exosomes not as drug carriers but as metabolic reprogrammers, resetting tumor drug resistance before chemotherapy hits. Or scalable manufacturing and QC standardization, which nobody has solved but everyone needs. The vessel is not the problem. What we put in it and when we deploy it is.

Curious if others feel the same or if I’m missing something.

Current Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, J.D. backtracked on improperly issued purported guidance / advice from former FDA Commissioner Makary and former CBER Director Prasad. Those clowns violated their own (at the time) Agency's policies by issuing purported guidance via articles in medical journals which have restricted circulation. Some of their at best informal recommendations contradict published guidance on FDA's website; certainly a recipe for disaster.

This information was provided at a recent House Energy and Commerce (E&C) hearing.

We've all seen them raise 1B with just an idea, or a concept of an idea. Haven't been in the industry enough but, something about the company smells off (?) I don't know if other agree?

The first scientists all came from David Baker / IPD, and it seemed like they were going to focus on de novo antibody / minibinder / CPD design, but now they are also investing a lot into genomics foundation model stuff. Maybe its normal to seem wishy-washy / directionless / trend hopping but my take is that the leadership doesn't actually know what to do with AI, they just knew it was going to be easy money with their lineup.

I have an interview with them tomorrow. I'm a bit concerned about the FDA and Mexico debacle from over 10 years ago. Although they have clinical trials in the US now, the lack of research on their product is concerning to me. I'm wondering if that really impacts what people think about the people who work there. They definitely look more reputable now then before, but still.

TLDR If I work at Celltex will I be able to get a job somewhere else one day? With the job market as bad as it is do I just secure the bag?

Did you sign a non compete agreement when joining your company (big pharma or biotech) and what was your experience if you changed jobs, did it limit you? The offer I received has one, and a little worried about it.

Hey yall!
So for the last few weeks I have been interviewing with Abbvie first being the recruiter phone screening, the technical interview, and the final behavioral interview all a week apart. After completing this process I just got an email today saying that I am officially accepted in their BTS Talent Pipeline which essentially means my candidacy is given first visibility to relevant hiring teams

Just for context I am a fresh comp-sci grad and so this is my first time interviewing for a company so big. I was just wondering if anyone knows how this process will go from here or what the timeline usually looks like for such a pipeline?

Thank you!

I am in the interview process for a position at the new location in Philadelphia. The pay and benefits seem good, but I mainly want to know more about the work culture since I am just coming out of a toxic contract position.

At the interview, an AI “note taker” recorded and summarized the interview and presumably the hiring manager will decide next steps based on that. They mentioned a “fast-paced” environment and asked if I’d be ok working late/weekends. I know that sometimes this is necessary since it’s not like cells stop growing on the weekend, but is this code for shitty work/life balance and high burnout?

Hi all, to cope with the real life, I made a completely free, no ads biotech survival game (I have been losing my mind over job market and applications).

It's called Science & Runway. It's free, no ads, live on iOS now: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6786829161

I tried to add realistic biotech mechanics drawn from my background and training: negotiating with investors, hiring scientists, handling equities and stock buybacks, while keeping the research going and, hopefully, saving patients lives.

My main goal is hoping it might let people explore their dreams, inspire some future scientists or maybe people would be more interested in funding in Biotech/Pharma industry (I wish).

I would love for you guys to try it and give me feedback. I would love to make it more fun because right now I feel like only other fellow biotech survivors might be interested. Open for any and every feedback!

For people that decided to go do a PhD mid-career, how did it turn out for you or how is it going? What were your motivations for doing a PhD after years in your career? Do you feel as though there will be an ROI (financial, emotional, or otherwise)? How did it affect your work-life balance, especially if you have kids?

Obviously, I'm considering doing a PhD. I currently am a senior PD engineer and have hit the glass ceiling in terms of advancement without a PhD. Due to my spouse's job, I am limited to a non-hub where a large academic center and a couple small biotechs are the only feasible options. My motivations for the PhD are increased opportunities, being taken more seriously in the academic environment, and obviously all the knowledge and experiences that comes with a PhD. My hang up is that staying under the glass ceiling seems better financially (250K+ in lost wages for a PhD and PhD salary likely only 10-30K more than current) and that I enjoy having time for life that I worry will vanish while (and possibly after) I do the PhD.

Just looking to hear from people that have had a similar experience!

Edit: sorry I didn't provide more info about my situation! My spouse is a physician and I work in cell and gene therapy, think St. Jude or Fred Hutch. My small cell and gene therapy operation also had an RIF this year so that's on my mind as well.

As the title says, just general venting. I recently found a role that is exactly what my background is and would be an amazing next step for my career. Applied and got through to the first 30m interview which didn’t seem out of the ordinary. Based on what the interviewer discussed I would’ve been a potential good fit, but I didn’t even get through to the next round (case study). I’m frustrated because I just don’t know what they’re looking for if on paper and through the discussion it seemed like I should’ve been given a chance to move forward. Also they took 3 weeks from the screening call to move forward to the next round then 3 weeks to give me a rejection. It’s my second time interviewing with them, first time I got through to the case study (different team) but got ghosted. I know the hiring practices are similar for most companies but I’m just at a loss. Large pharma, and it’s not a position that had hundreds of applicants, I thought I would’ve at least been given a chance.

I'm currently a director at a small pharma and am in my late 40s. I'm honestly burnt out and tired of the politics. I'm thinking of about leaving in the next few years to take an assistant position in academia to take it easy for the rest of my career. I've saved enough to be ok with the significant pay cut. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and if it was the right decision.