Biomed Badass provides resources and support for biomedical researchers looking to expand their career horizons:
Working as a life science academic researcher in the biomedical field is a highly stimulating and exciting career, but is not without its drawbacks and the academic career route is certainly not for the fainthearted. Most notably the hypercompetitive nature of securing substantial funding to support an effective research programme, is leading many a talented biomedical researcher to revaluate their chances of making it long-term in the academic system.
Biomed Badass is created by a 30 something cell biologist who has over 15 years of experience as a biomedical researcher in the cancer field and has been running an academic research lab in the UK since 2011. Recently this biomedical badass decided on a career move to the commercial sector in a role that increases the direct impact they have on improving patient care.
Biomedical researchers constitute a highly skilled workforce, who are superb in numeracy, writing, problem-solving, data analysis and (increasing also) programming skills. Overall they represent a strong talent pool for both academic and commercial activities. Life as an academic researcher can be full of incredibly exciting and rewarding experiences, but can also be challenging. Ever limiting resources can leave some academics feeling constrained; time poor and restricted by budgets. However, academia is only one potential career path for biomedical researchers.
Biomedical research training develops open minds and produces individuals that are well equipped to tackle challenges that the modern day workplace brings. So the good news is there’s a dearth of amazing opportunities for the career savvy biomedical researcher. How best then to navigate a kick-ass career if you’re biomedical researcher? For most answering this question is not trivial, as many universities currently do not prepare researchers well for careers that are outwith the traditional academic route.
This is a pertinent issue at present given that we are now in an era where the vast majority of PhD graduates from science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM) subjects will no longer pursue a traditional academic career. The Royal Society has estimated that 95% of STEMM PhD graduates will leave academia at some point in their research careers (royalsociety.org, 2014). This means the vast majority of biomedical research graduates educated to PhD level will at some point have to consider the wide range of career options open to them. Unfortunately for many, finding sufficient time and resources to do so is tricky.
The aim of Biomed Badass is to establish a resource (blog, forum and tips) for biomedical professionals to explore all possible career options (academic and non-academic), and ultimately provide support for their future success. We plan to discuss issues around developing skills for successful biomedical research, life along the traditional career path of academic researcher, problems arising from leaving academia, and identifying and transitioning to the variety of non-academic careers out there. So welcome to the discussion and please feel free to update me on your career stories as a biomedical researcher. What's your experience of the academic career path and what are your current options?