Industry and Academic Interviews ScienceCareers.org Workshop Industry vs Academic Interviews Harvard...

Industry and Academic Interviews

ScienceCareers.org Workshop

Industry vs Academic Interviews

Harvard Medical School

April 18, 2023

Garth A Fowler, Ph.D. Outreach Program Manager

ScienceCareers.org


Science’s online career resource

http://www.sciencecareers.org


Today’s Journey

Interviewing: The basics

Industry vs Academia: What is the difference?

Preparing: Approach as meticulously as you do your research


Common Mistakes!

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50% Little or no knowledge about thecompany

Unprepared to discuss skills andabilities

Unprepared to discuss career goals

Limited enthusiam

Lack of eye contact


Your Mission

Convey that you can do the job.

Get them to like you.

Provide evidence to support the first, do things to ensure the second.


Your Conference Talk

Communicate How to do it:Motivation Understand How the CNS Intergrates Visual Information

Information Processing during Smooth PursuitLocus of visual attention during Smooth Pursuit

What You Did Outline What you didExplain the Experiments in Sufficient Detail

Interpretation Show Your Data -- Simple & Straightforward

Future Directions What would you do nextPreview of the experiment, expected results


Your Interview!

Communicate How to do it:Motivation Work at NSF/Become a P.I.

Science Policy AdvisorSchool of Medicine Professor at XYZ U

What You Did Your training Your ResearchWhat You Learned *NOT JUST YOUR SCIENCE SKILLS*

Interpretation How the above matches what they want -- Simple & Straightforward

Future Directions What would you do next (at this institution or company) -- Stay within the confines of the current job description


Know Thyself

What will you contribute to this company/department?

What skills and abilities do you have to offer?

What indicators are there of your quality of work?


Present Thyself

This is your first impression!

Know your qualifications (and be able to defend them)

Sell yourself, with integrity


Practice

Practice

Practice

Practice (out loud)


Know ThyOrganization

What is this group known for?

Where do they want to go next?

Why this position?

– What is unique about it?

– Why did they make it this way?


Gather Information too!

Have good strategic questions about:

– Big picture

– What is expected of you (sometimes obvious)

– How does this fit into your career plans (remember the early slides?)

Inquire about the next steps in the process


For You

Interviews: What each Wants

Confirm impression from application

Opportunity to meet the person

Determine fit

Promote your skills and abilities

Opportunity to meet the people

Determine fit

For the Organization


It Is the Fit that Counts

Interviews are designed to determine how you would integrate into a company/lab’s team.

Interviews should also allow you to determine if you LIKE the environment (but not always well designed to do so).


Why should we hire You?

Feels like undue bragging – but you gotta do it.

Emphasize organization, positive attitude, and teamwork.

State how your training/background meets their needs!


Follow Up – simple, but necessary

“[B]e patient - the entire hiring process could take months.”

… however ….

“Take the next step. Send thank you emails or letters.”


Know what They Want

Ultimately, the purpose of any interview is to demonstrate to all interested that you are the ideal candidate. To do this, you have know what they need, and spend enough time preparing to demonstrate that you have what they want.


Your Job Interview

Academia Industry

Your Science• Approach to Research

• Grants & Awards

• Papers and Contributions

• Future Work… $$$$

You• Applications of your Research

• Skills, Techniques, & Abilities

• Teamwork

• Your career track and goals


Scientific Training is more than just ‘science’

Problem Solving

IndependenceCritical Thinking

Computational/AnalyticalMathematical

Goal Oriented


We are seeking a talented team player to lead our in-vitro assay development

group. The candidate will be responsible for managing a team of researcher and technicians, driving innovation in bioanalytical

method development for clinical studies in compliance with EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines, with a focus on cell based bioassays and FACS analysis to monitor pharmakokinetics, pharmacodynamics and

immunogenicity. The duties will also include participation in multidisciplinary project teams, communication with external experts, collaboration partners and contract laboratories.

A Typical Advertisement


The candidate must possess a PhD degree in the field of biological science

(Biology, Biochemistry or Immunology), should have a strong immunology background, 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience in cell based assay and FACS based assays development

and a minimum of 2 years experience in managing people in an industrial

environment. The position requires excellent verbal and written English communication skills, a high level of self-motivation, a result oriented working style, the ability to independently design and implement experiments as well as to work in a multinational team. Candidates should be

willing to travel. Knowledge of Italian is beneficial


team player in-vitro assaymanaging a team of researcher and technicians bioanalytical methodEMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines cell based bioassays and FACS analysisparticipation in multidisciplinary project teams communication with external expertscollaboration partners and contract laboratories PhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology - strong immunology background, experience in managing people 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience results oriented workingexcellent verbal and written English communication skills high level of self-motivation, independently design and implement experiments work in a multinational team. Knowledge of Italian is beneficial


team player in-vitro assaymanaging a team of researcher and technicians bioanalytical methodEMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines cell based bioassays and FACS analysisparticipation in multidisciplinary project teams communication with external expertscollaboration partners and contract laboratories PhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunology - strong immunology background, experience in managing people 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience results oriented workingexcellent verbal and written English communication skills high level of self-motivation independently design and implement experiments work in a multinational team Knowledge of Italian is beneficial


Team Work and Leadershipteam player managing a team of researcher and technicians participation in multidisciplinary project teams collaboration partners and contract laboratories experience in managing people work in a multinational team

Technical and Field Specificin-vitro assay bioanalytical methodcell based bioassays and FACS analysis PhD Biology, Biochemistry Immunologystrong immunology background 2-3 years of hands-on laboratory experience independently design and implement experiments

OtherResults oriented working high level of self-motivation excellent verbal and written skills communication with external experts EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines Knowledge of Italian is beneficial


Team Work and LeadershipCo-authored paper, poster, talk Assisting others in labMentor intern, undergraduate, graduate Committee work (professional society, PDA)Group work from class

Technical and Field SpecificThis is your lab work, your science, your degree… ostensibly your passion

OtherResults oriented working & high level of self-motivation == Graduate school & postdoc trainingexcellent verbal and written skills & communication with external experts == papers, talks, etc.EMEA, FDA and IHC guidelines & knowledge of Italian is beneficial == two things your missing


Common Questions To Answer/Ponder

Why do you want to change careers?

Why are you interested in our company?

Why are you qualified for this position?

What are your career goals, and how does this position fit into fulfilling those goals?


Common Questions To Answer/Ponder

Name a challenge. How did you address? What was the outcome?

How have you taken the initiative in the past?

What are your strengths and weaknesses

Tell me about your research experience.


Academic interviews

Universities, Research Hospitals, Institutions, some Federal Agencies

Research and Education centers

Expect you to generate funding

Academic contribution (teaching, committee work)


What You Will (probably) Do

Meet with Faculty in the Department

Meet with Faculty outside the Department

Meet with Graduate Students & Postdocs

Meet with Dean

Give a research symposium (or two)

Teach a class (maybe)


Your Research Talk

Keep talks short and general

“Much too technical.”

“Usually do not have the big picture.”

“Inability to present information or respond to a broad audience”


Your Research: Beyond your Talk

Know your facts, and defend them

Prepare step-by-step explanations of your future experiments

Present alternative approaches you might also attempt

Have a funding strategy prepared


Your Preparation

Show interest in the work of those you will be meeting

Understand how your research might dove-tail with others

Research the department, the programs, the students, facilities… before your arrive!


Assess your Ability for Success

Core facilities you will need?

Lab space?

Teaching load?

Start up funds?

Pool of qualified students, postdocs, lab technicians to staff lab?


Success is the results of preparation, hard work, and learning from your past

mistakes.

Industry and Academic Interviews ScienceCareers.org Workshop Industry vs Academic Interviews Harvard...

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