When you hear the word “postdoc,” you likely envision an academic appointment at a university—an opportunity to pursue additional scholarly training before settling into a career in research. But postdocs aren’t limited to academia. They’ve become increasingly common across a variety of industries, including biotech, pharma, and tech transfer.
Industry postdocs, like academic ones, are designed to provide advanced training to recent PhDs. However, the two categories often diverge in several key areas, including research processes, mentorship, compensation, and work-life balance.
So, how exactly does an industry postdoc compare to an academic one? Kelan Hlavaty, a researcher who completed her postdoc at Novartis, explains the similarities and differences as follows:
“My lab [at Novartis] is faster-paced than the one I worked in as a graduate student. Resources are abundant, the culture is interconnected and communicative, and there are meetings—many, many meetings.” (That last point may be either a pro or a con, depending on your tastes. You can read more about her experience here.)
Hlavaty adds, “I am still doing basic research: the kind of science that allows delving into mechanisms towards an integrated understanding of disease beyond druggable targets and is geared toward publications. And there are benefits to doing this work in a team-based environment.”
This article will introduce you to some of the key features of industry postdocs, help you evaluate whether an industry postdoc aligns with your skills, interests, and values, and suggest next steps if you’re thinking of applying for one in the future.
Why do an industry postdoc? Penn graduate alumni who have pursued this type of training mention numerous advantages:
- It allows you to explore career paths and gain professional skills without being in a hyper-competitive environment.
- It’s often easier to see the direct impact or real-world applications of your research.
- You won’t have to do any grant writing—ever!
- No more late nights in the lab. Industry postdocs typically work regular business hours—Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm—and are rarely required to respond to messages outside of those hours. Indeed, PhDs often cite work-life balance as one of the main selling points of an industry postdoc.
- Many employers hire cohorts or “classes” of postdocs all at once, so you’ll have a collaborative community to support you throughout the process.
- Financial compensation is usually higher than in academia, and you will likely receive additional benefits (stock options, retirement plan, etc.).
- Most employers are committed to facilitating their postdocs’ learning and development. They will happily support you if you want to take additional classes, explore a new interest, learn about a different department, or otherwise grow as a researcher. Coaching and mentorship are baked into the program. In fact, some companies intentionally pair their postdocs with a mentor outside of their own field to help them expand their knowledge base.
- Industry postdocs are a great entry point if you feel you lack the necessary technical skills or industry experience to secure a non-trainee position straight out of your PhD.
Of course, an industry postdoc isn’t the right choice for everyone. You should consider how the following features align with your interests and values:
- Industry postdocs don’t always get to choose their own projects; instead, projects are assigned to them by senior leadership. You might have the opportunity to express your interests or advocate for a particular project, but there’s no guarantee your preferences will be accommodated.
- Industry postdocs are still expected to publish, so don’t think you’re off the hook with manuscript writing. At Merck, for example, postdocs are usually asked to publish once a year.
Where can you find these industry postdocs, and when should you apply?
- Most of the major biotech and pharma companies offer industry postdocs; for example, Genentech, Novartis, Merck, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca all have well-established postdoc programs. Opportunities can be found at many smaller companies, too. Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins both maintain lists of some of the most popular industry postdocs.
- Timelines vary, but applications usually open in the fall.
“I’m sold. Now what?” If you think an industry postdoc might be on your horizon, try to start preparing as early as possible:
- Research the companies you’re interested in. Do informational interviews with their postdocs and other employees to determine if the company is a good fit.
- Figure out what kinds of skills and experiences are valued in that industry. If you feel you’re missing key skills, look for opportunities to diversify your skill set and gain professional experience while still at Penn. For instance, some PhD students find it helpful to gain business and consulting experience through student groups and university centers like PBG Healthcare Consulting, the Penn Graduate Consulting Club, or the Penn Center for Innovation. Others choose to sharpen their communication skills through competitions like Three Minute Thesis and Penn Grad Talks.
- Don’t forget to make a one-on-one appointment with a Career Services advisor to discuss your career options, have your application materials reviewed, and practice interviewing.
Whether you decide to pursue a role in academia, industry, government, or nonprofits, know that PhDs and postdocs have access to countless career options and professional development opportunities across industries and disciplines. An industry postdoc is just one of the ways in which you can lay the groundwork for an exciting and fulfilling career in research.
