UC Irvine GPS-STEM

Graduate Professional Success for PhD students and Postdocs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

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Explore Careers in Biotech & Pharma

Many trainees are interested in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry because it allows them to utilize their research training to help develop drugs, devices and biologics that benefit society. This field has grown rapidly and presents a variety of career opportunities for PhDs. Furthermore, Orange County is home to numerous medical device companies and is in close proximity to two of the largest biotech hubs in California.

With many options available, selecting job titles and companies can be overwhelming. Below we share some resources to help trainees learn about drug & product development, skills employers seek and ways to help fill skill gaps.

Keys skills to succeed in this field:

  • Ability to work on a team
  • Genuine interpersonal communication skills
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines
  • Project management
  • Business acumen & knowledge of drug/product development

Drug and Product Development: It’s a lot more than R&D!

  • A Career in Science: Maintaining Focus & Adapting to Change. TEDx talk by Jay Srirangam, Ph.D., Technical Development Team Leader at Genetech
  • Careers in Biotech & An Overview of Product Development. Presentation for UCI GPS-BIOMED by Jon Miyake, Ph.D., Sr. Technical Support Manager at Illumina
  • The Drug Development Process. Comprehensive overview of preclinical & clinical research as well as FDA review and post-market safety monitoring.

Merging myIDP career options & the drug development process:

 

UCI resources that provide training, address skill gaps & build networks:

  • UCI Division of Continuing Education offers a variety of courses and certificates within clinical research management, regulatory affairs, medical product development and project management (to name a few). Many of these courses can be taken online or in the evening.
  • Visit the GPS-BIOMED experience page to learn about internships and postdoctoral fellowships within industry. These opportunities (although competitive) can jumpstart your career transition.

Additional resources to address skill gaps & build networks:

  • American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. Provides journals, workshops, events, career development. Members get extra benefits.
  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Society. Provides resources for those interested in the MSL career, connect members to the global MSL community, host events, and promote networking.
  • Association of Clinical Research Professionals, provides membership, training, and certificate programs necessary for clinical trial and quality and efficiency improvements.
  • Biotech Connection Los Angeles (BCLA) is an organization run by academics and biotech professionals all over Los Angeles. See website for upcoming events.
  • American Medical Writers Association. Resources for medical communicators including job postings, blogs and opportunities to interact with medical professionals. Some events are free and a student membership rate is offered.
  • Managing Science in the Biotech Industry: An Intensive Course for Students and Postdocs. MBA-style case-based teaching offered annually by the American Society for Cell Biology. Attendees learn how science is commercialized and how to leverage PhD skills within industry.
  • Device Alliance. One-stop-shop at the center of Orange County’s medical device ecosystem helping drive collaboration, innovation and career development for all device professionals in Southern California. Many events are open to nonmembers and present valuable networking opportunities.
  • Orange County Regulatory Affairs (OCRA). A non-profit volunteer organization composed of Regulatory Affairs professionals, OCRA has hundreds of members representing over 250 medical device, pharmaceutical, biologic, and dietary supplement companies in Orange County and surrounding areas. They provide a variety of events and networking opportunities.

Recommended Reading:

  • Career Opportunities in Biotechnology and Drug Development by Toby Freedman
  • The Changing Landscape of Pharma: A New Route for PhDs Nature Jobs blog post by Martijn Bijker, Ph.D., Founder of Science to Pharma

Events Spotlight

GPS-STEM Radio SPP EP 2
GPS-STEM Radio SPP EP 2
Episode #2 of GPS-STEM Radio's Science Policy Podcast is out!
GPS-STEM Radio SPP EP 1
GPS-STEM Radio SPP EP 1

Episode #1 of GPS-STEM Radio's Science Policy Podcast is out!

GPS-STEM Radio
GPS-STEM Radio

GPS-STEM Radio, bringing you science, professional development, and experts to your earbuds!

GPS-STEM DCE Course
GPS-STEM DCE Course
Building a Career Development Program for Biomedical Trainees course designed as a toolkit and provides additional program support course.
Online Mentoring Program
Mentoring Program 2019
Industry Research, Medical Science Liaison, Teaching/Research, Field Application Scientist, Product Development, Data Science
Science Communication & Business Development
Alumni in the News!
Why GPS-BIOMED for PhD students & Postdocs? How the program prepares for careers in academia/Industry
Irvine City Council Member, Farrah Khan
Irvine City Council Member, Farrah Khan
Keynote speaker for Science Policy Symposium 2019
Congratulations to our P3 program members on DC Visit
Congratulations to our P3 program members on DC Visit
Public Policy Program members visited DC to campaign for effective NIH funding and STEM education policies.
SciencePolicySymposium
SciencePolicySymposium
Engaging policy makers and scientists in a meaningful dialogue
WhenScienceSpeaks
WhenScienceSpeaks
GPS-BIOMED in the news for unique programming for early career scientists.
Medtech Mega Mixer
Medtech Mega Mixer
Biomedical Industry Networking event for PhDs & Postdocs
4th Elevator Pitch Competition
4th Elevator Pitch Competition
Tell me about yourself!
Career Paths for PhDs
Career Paths for PhDs
Develop a strategic plan & review career paths for scientists.
Alumni Mentor Program for PhDs
Alumni Mentor Program for PhDs
Alumni from diverse career fields return to help current trainees.
UCI P3
UCI P3
Public Policy Prep for STEM grad students & postdocs!

Join GPS-STEM on social media!

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Upcoming PD Events

Job Search Resources & Databases

  • BioPharmGuy
  • BioSpace
  • Naturejobs: Science Jobs of the Week
  • NIH OITE Career Blog
  • Science Careers
  • UCI Career Center Job & Internship Database

UCI Partners

  • Antrepreneur Center
  • Applied Innovation
  • Career Center
  • Graduate Resource Center
  • Outreach & Minority Science Programs
  • The Graduate Division
  • UCI Division of Continuing Education
  • UCI Office of Postdoctoral Scholars
  • UCI Postdoctoral Association

External Partners

  • Allergan
  • Fish & Tsang LLP
  • LDOS Media Lab
  • OCTANe

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