Biotech Careers: From PhD to Biotech Success | Ali Divan

IBJ Podcast

In this episode, Ali and I discuss his journey from completing a PhD in medical science to building a thriving career in the biotech industry. As the founder of Trulitica, Ali now uses his experience to coach other life sciences PhDs on successfully transitioning from academia to biotech.
Expect to learn:
• The key differences between working in academia vs. industry as a life sciences PhD
• Why biotech is an attractive career path for many PhDs and how to determine if it's the right fit for you
• The most important skills and mindsets PhDs need to develop to excel in biotech roles
• Insider tips on networking, crafting a winning resume, and acing job interviews in the biotech field
• Strategies for identifying the right biotech companies and roles to target based on your skillset
• How to bridge the knowledge gap between academia and industry and position yourself for success
• The importance of developing a strong peer network and continuously learning from industry trends
Whether you're a life sciences PhD considering a career in biotech or just curious about the industry, this episode offers insights and practical advice from someone who has successfully navigated this path. Tune in to learn how you can leverage your scientific expertise to make a real-world impact and build a fulfilling career in the world of biotech.
Where to find Ali
Website: https://www.trulitica.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alidivan/
Where to find Ida
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGBjKfzdALl_FQVcA4b8TA
Website: https://idajohnsson.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ida-johnsson/
X: https://twitter.com/IdaBJohnsson
00:00 Preview
00:50 Intro
03:25 Why life science PhDs end up outside of academia
06:52 Real-world impact in the private sector vs. academia
08:27 Supply of and demand for scientists and their skills
12:53 What not to put on your resume
15:04 Economics vs. life sciences PhD training
16:46 Main challenge job candidates encounter
19:27 Job market research and networking
25:37 Biggest predictors of success in the job search
31:00 How much money do life science postdocs make
34:30 The academia-industry knowledge gap
35:58 How Ali got into coaching
38:40 How Ali's approach differs from others
43:06 Questioning ideas and conclusions
45:52 Causal inference
50:13 Applicability of PhD skills in everyday life
52:54 The value of your peers

Reach out to me at www.idajohnsson.com