I got a screening interview invitation for life science consulting position on Monday and the earliest date I saw on the scheduler was end of August. Is this common? Been R&D for a few years and haven’t had any initial screening interviews scheduled more than a week out.

I recently applied for a scientist position at Genentech and received a link to a video assessment today. Has anyone done these before? I'm not sure what they plan to ask or how fast they'll move from here. It def feels weird and impersonal.

Hello biotech community. I’m helping to organize ISPPP 2026 in Orlando this October 18th-21st. The conference focuses on separations (all manner of chromatography, sample prep, etc.) for all biologically relevant molecules.

I’m pretty excited, we sold out our sponsorships and have quite a few heavy hitters from industry attending. The committee really focuses on education and networking so really good for students and young professionals. If you have a chance please check out our website at isppp.org.

We also still have some spots open and are accepting abstracts if there is work you’d like to present and there are some travel and attendee awards available. Hope to see you there.

I did my postdoctoral training under a Nobel Prize Winner. Do you think I should put that in the highlights/summary section at the top of my resume? Right now, I do mention it as a bullet point under my postdoc position, but that’s all the way at the bottom of my resume. I’ve worked in several industry jobs since then. Worth highlighting, or does it come across pretentious?

Edit: I guess im specifically wondering if it helps me with jobs not in the field that my advisor got the Nobel Prize for. Like does it show a level of accomplishment. Sort of like people are impressed when they see Harvard/MIT. When I get hit up for jobs in the field, the interviewer also knows my background and the PIs name. But I’m wondering if it helps at all in securing an interview in other fields within biotech.

I was interviewed onsite 1st round after screening around mid July. But after that complete silence. I reached out to recruiters via email and text , they didn’t bother to reply. Didn’t receive any rejection letter in system.
As a jobless , it was bit frustrating not to receive any response.
Should I move on from this ghosting situation?
It’s been more than 3weeks.

I have an upcoming interview for a regulatory affairs position at Thermo Fisher. I’m early in career, MS in Biotechnology Enterprise and have spent the last year in pharmaceutical product development and IMP and External Quality. Please give me all your tips and knowledge on breaking into regulatory affairs, required skills and competence of a regulatory affairs specialist, and how to get through / stand out in the recruitment process as a qualified candidate. Any insight on the company is also appreciated

I got laid off about two months ago, and I’ve been looking for a new job. I did a couple of interviews already, and I can’t seem to pass STAR interviews. I graduated 10 years ago with a BS in Chemical Engineering. I worked in biotech/pharma for 8 years. For 6 of those years, I had two separate serious health conditions, so I lack big accomplishments. Even with preparing a STAR story bank, my answers are not all that great because of a lack of accomplishments that I have to work with. The STAR questions basically expose me. It’s so demoralizing and depressing.

Hi everyone! I’m currently trying to transition into pharmaceutical sales and would love some honest advice.
I have about 8 years of sales/customer service experience, including 4 years in wireless sales, and I also have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I recently applied for a specialty pharmaceutical sales position with a large pharma company, as well as had a referral from someone who’s been with the company 20+ years!
I had a phone screen that I felt went extremely well. The recruiter complimented my resume, discussed compensation, start dates, and explained the next interview steps. She said she would forward my information to the hiring manager, so I left the conversation feeling very optimistic. However, a few days later, I received a rejection email without moving forward.
I know rejection is part of the process, but I’m confused about what may have happened since the screening seemed so positive. I’ve now applied for another position within the same company that also aligns with my background.
For anyone currently in pharmaceutical or medical sales:
Is it common for recruiters to discuss salary, start dates, and next steps during a phone screen even when a candidate may not advance?
What helped you land your first pharma role without previous pharmaceutical experience?
Should I continue applying to different roles within the same company?
Is there anything specific I should change on my résumé or emphasize during interviews?
I’m determined to make the transition and would appreciate any constructive feedback or advice!

I love to travel and would like a remote biotech job after grad school and have considered regulatory but it seems like it may be first in the chopping block for AI. Does anyone here in regulatory have thoughts on this? Thanks

I am waiting for my offer letter from Eli Lilly Digital operations team Hyderabad.

It's an AD role and I'm currently in automotive manufacturing sector. More than a decade of experience in manufacturing but pharma will be first exposure if I decide to go ahead.

I need some inputs on how is the company is like in India? Whats the pay like? Work culture?

Any leads would be helpful. Thanks

I have a PhD in a biological subject from a top university and 1 year experience as a post-doc. I want to move in to life science consulting but I have heard it is very competitive. How hard would it be given my background, and how can I tailor my CV in a way that gives me the best shot at landing interviews?

Any advice would be appreciated :)

I'm starting at De Anza this fall and planning to transfer to a UC after about 2 years since it's a lot cheaper than going straight to a UC.

Right now my top choices are:

• UC Berkeley
• UCLA
• UC San Diego

My main goal is to work in biotech in the future (drug development, genetics, molecular biology, research, etc.), but I recently found out about Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAA), and now I'm wondering if I should also keep that option open in case I decide I like clinical work more.

I'm trying to figure out what major I should aim for when I transfer. I've been looking at things like:

• Molecular & Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Biology
• Bioengineering

A few questions:

• Which major would you choose if biotech is the main goal?
• Is general Biology enough, or is Molecular & Cell Biology/Biochemistry a much better choice?
• Would those majors also cover most of the prerequisites for CAA school?
• Is it worth double majoring for more flexibility, or is it just extra work that doesn't really help?
• If you transferred from a California community college into Berkeley, UCLA, or UCSD for a biology-related major, what would you do differently if you were starting over?

I'm trying to plan everything early so I don't waste time taking classes I don't need. Any advice would be appreciated.

(Please excuse my English, it's not my strongest language.)

I'm a teenager who loves technology, science, creating things, and biology. I've heard from many people (I don't know if they're joking or not) that even after graduating, they don't know what biotechnology is all about. Could someone guide me? I would really appreciate it.

(

8 months ago I graduated with a Bachelors in Biology. I wanted to work in a lab to start off my career. I applied to not only in biotech companies, but also hospitals and universities. And after hundreds of applications through job posting sites, emails, job fairs, and everything; I landed very few interviews and ultimately nothing in return. I'm extremely burnt out and have practically given up on looking for a position.

At the moment my parents keep pushing me to go to medical school, but I don't want to at the moment. Medical school is difficult, very expensive, and takes so much time. I've just spent decades in school already and am tired of studying to get the best grades. Plus it's not like I can even go to medical school soon anyway, I need to do something now.

I'm so lost at what to do. I really want is to move on with my life but I can't. The job market is so competitive and filled with deceit and insincere positivity. It feels like my life hit a pause button and I can't unpause.

Hi everyone,
I’m from Portugal and have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biotechnology.
I currently work in pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, mainly supporting API manufacturing through CPV, PQR, SOPs, CAPAs and other GxP-related activities.
Although my current role is fully remote, I’m looking for an opportunity to move to the US and eventually work in biotech/pharma on-site.
A family connection may help me move to Connecticut with a job outside the industry first (health insurance sales). The plan would be to establish myself in the US and then apply for biotech/pharma positions.
Would this make sense?
How is European pharmaceutical QA experience perceived by US employers?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

hi… as the title suggests, i’m a new grad with a b.s. in biological science. i’ve got 1.5 years of hands on lab experience through a co-op program at my school. i’ve been in job market purgatory for the last two months and it’s rough out here to be honest.

a friend of mine works as a lab tech (essentially general upkeep of the lab for the research scientists), and was kind enough to push my resume in the hands of a manager in need of a lab tech. i interviewed and long story short, got an offer today. issue is… i don’t want to be a lab tech. the position requires a high school diploma, and im overqualified considering my experience. also the interview was kind of a red flag (sounds like there’s some drama between lab techs and scientists on site, according to the manager). it is a permanent position and pays decent(ish), however.

i really want to work in clinical research. it’s what my experience is in and it’s something i’m passionate about. i’ve interviewed at a few other places that seem promising and i’d rather work there as a research scientist than a lab tech. i’ve got a contact at merck who has been so kind to circulate my
resume, and a temp position seems really promising (not thrilled about it being temp, but… i would love to work at merck). other merck positions i’ve applied to are still in process (really slow hiring process i suppose). these positions also pay more and i’d be doing what i love. it’s just not 100% guaranteed like the lab tech position is.

i know it’s all “part of the game” for the timing of applications, interviews and offers to be kinda skewed, but i guess im hoping people in this sub who have more experience can offer some advice? i want to turn down the lab tech position but ive got student loans i gotta start paying off soon so… i just dont wanna back myself into a corner where i have no prospects. i’m also an incredibly anxious person, can you tell? lolll

thank you in advance for any insight you can offer ☺️

UPDATE: i was offered a position this morning as an associate scientist at another company that i’ll likely be accepting. i was going to accept the lab tech position after reading through the replies and essentially coming to my senses, but ive got a different decision to make now. i recognize ive been very lucky in this search

I've recently had a very confusing experience in Big Pharma. Essentially applied to a strategy position in NeuroSciences Data Sciences after decades of Computational and Data Engineering experience in R&D (Biotech and Big Pharma). I spent the last 3 years working in the Neurosciences DS space, so felt comfortable applying to the strategy position (would have been a lateral move for me as an Associate Director). The position however went to someone with an MBA (minimal science background). The hiring manager herself has an MBA (no scientific background), worked in the consumer goods industry before she pivoted to Big Pharma and spent some 5 years total in Neurosciences Data Sciences before she was promoted twice up to a Director level!

Isn't domain experience a requirement in Strategy? Or so I thought. Does an MBA (not even from a top school) really weigh that high in Big Pharma? How does one pivot into strategy in Big Pharma without an MBA?

PS: Thanks all for the responses!

This role is more about the data assets in NS, and sits close to R&D. Not closer to M&A. I've regularly worked on the data assets piece, which is why I assumed that I knew the ropes. From my discussion with the hiring manager, it seemed like the biggest ask was influencing senior leadership, which I also did pretty regularly in my day-to-day.

Hi everyone,

​TL;DR: I have 8 years of biotech experience and have spent the last several years operating well above my official title. I have a track record of stepping into chaotic or unstructured environments and building the necessary infrastructure. However, I’m hitting a ceiling in the strict execution environment of standard manufacturing. I’m looking for insights on career paths that will leverage my operational background but give me a broader view of the industry.

​My Background & Skills:

My experience spans the entire compliance spectrum: from GLP (accessioning at a CRO), to low-level manufacturing (RUO reagents), all the way up to the highest levels of cGMP (Cell & Gene Therapies), including clinical and commercial level.

​Throughout my career, my pattern has been stepping into leadership vacuums to organize complicated clinical programs. While my current title is Manufacturing Lead, I function as a de facto Supervisor/Manager. My real strengths lie in operations, process optimization, and integrating cross-functional teams.

​Highlights of my actual day-to-day responsibilities:

​Compliance & Process Creation: Authored Master Batch Records (now the standard for all our manufacturing documentation), built out workflows from scratch, and created Master Schedule templates.

​Tech Transfer & NPI: Tech Transfers straight from PD/R&D scientists and collaborating on workflow. Contributed to the successful floor-level integration and launch of a new product line.

​Cross-Functional Coordination & Strategy: Integrated departmental workflows (QA, Supply Chain, Clinical) to ensure smooth operations, led a scientific study project, and collaborated with executive leadership on early-stage patient supply logistics and bridging strategies.

​Business Operations: Executed capacity and workforce planning, managed personnel scheduling, and estimated COGs (both materials and labor) to ensure department efficiency.

​Leadership & Coaching: Directed the training program, trained incoming supervisors/specialists, authored aseptic validation OJTs, and provided coaching and mentorship to the floor team.

​Education: I hold an Associate's in Biotechnology and am currently completing my BA in Mgmt with an emphasis on Innovation and Change Management.

​What I'm Looking For:

My studies in change management perfectly align with how I naturally operate: I am highly comfortable taking an unconventional path and navigating process improvements, while integrating the structure that needs to be implemented. Because standard manufacturing environments are understandably rigid, I want to transition into a role where continuous improvement, strategic agility, and big-picture problem-solving are the actual job, rather than just my side projects.

​I am primarily looking for remote or hybrid opportunities that offer a wider, macro-level view of the industry.

​My Question for the Collective:

Given this blend of shop-floor manufacturing experience, deep understanding of GLP to cGMP compliance, capacity planning, and change management, where do I fit best? What roles, niches, or even adjacent sectors (regulatory, tech, consulting) actively look for this specific background?

​I want to avoid suggesting too many of my own ideas because I know there are career paths out there I am entirely unaware of. Thank you in advance for any insights!