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Career Exploration Series

The Career Exploration Series is a program of panel discussions, seminars and networking events that aim to educate postdoctoral trainees about the wide range of careers open to them following their training.

In addition to the events below, Beyond the Professoriate, an online career development platform for PhDs, is available to postdocs. It includes a video library of interviews with PhDs in a range of careers, and training modules on career exploration and planning. Postdocs can access this resource for free via the UW-Madison institutional subscription here.

2023 - 2024 Series

What Can You Be With a PhD? Virtual Career Symposium

Sunday 10/21 and Saturday 10/22. Online event.

The largest science and technology PhD career symposium in the US.

More than 40 panels and workshops led by 100+ experts in their field
Exhibitors and seminars in the following tracks: academia, non-profit and government, for-profit and industry, science communication
Networking opportunities to create valuable connections for your career
Sessions will be recorded so you can view any you missed later
Thanks to our sponsors, all UW-Madison postdocs and SMPH graduate students are eligible for a discounted registration at $10 per person for both days.

Register here by 10/14. Contact Imogen Hurley (ihurley@wisc.edu) to request the UW-Madison discount code. Be sure to use your UW-Madison email address to receive the discounted rate.

They are finalizing the 2023 schedule and are adding speakers daily, so keep checking the What Can You Be With a PhD? website for more information. In the meantime, feel free to browse the 2021 program book.

UW-Madison attendance at this event is sponsored by the School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies, and the Office of Postdoctoral Studies.

Careers in Industry: The Different Roles PhDs can Play in a Company

Thursday 10/12. Orchard View Room, Discovery Building
10:30 am - 12:00 pm Company presentation and panel discussion
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Networking lunch

What career options are there for PhDs in industry? A panel of representatives from one company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, will describe the breadth of jobs available, and answer your questions about their roles and successfully transitioning into industry.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a world leader in serving science, with four sites in or near Madison, WI. Their mission is to enable their customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

The panelists will be:

Penny Jensen, PhD (R&D Staff Scientist - Biologist)
Erum Raja, PhD (R&D Staff Scientist - Chemist)
Jonathon Salsbury, MS (Director, Laboratory Services, Clinical Research Group)
Caleb Shearrow, MS (Product Manager)
Brian Wolf, PhD (Manager, Manufacturing Group)

There will then be the opportunity to continue the discussion with the panelists and other members of the company during a networking lunch.

Sponsored by the Graduate School Office of Professional Development, the Office of Postdoctoral Studies, Thermo Fisher, and WARF.

Employment Opportunities for Postdocs at P&G

The Procter & Gamble Company, the world’s largest consumer products company, is seeking qualified postdocs from multiple disciplines to join their research and development organization.

Company Information Sessions - Monday 9/11 5:00pm-6:30pm
Attend an information session to learn about P&G and potential employment opportunities. A recent PhD/Postdoc who joined P&G will also share their experience going through the job search process and what worked particularly well. Food and beverages provided. Full details here.

Life Sciences postdocs: Room 1116 Rennebohm Hall
All other fields: Room 9341 Chemistry Department

Interviews - Tuesday 9/12 and Wednesday 9/13

Interested in being considered for an on campus interview? Submit your resume and a 1-2 page research summary here by Monday 8/28.

Questions? Contact Imogen Hurley (ihurley@wisc.edu).

2022 - 2023 Series

Career Diversity Panel with Public Humanities Professionals

Tuesday 4/4 12:00-1:00pm. University Club Building, Room 313.

Join us to hear the stories of four Madison-area public humanities professionals who pursued non-academic career paths, from nonprofit administration and consulting to publishing, editorial, and curatorial work. The panel will be moderated by Danielle Weindling, Public Humanities Coordinator at the UW-Madison Center for the Humanities. Questions and topics of interest will be collected ahead of time with time for live Q&A and informal conversation to follow.

Panelists:

Jason A. Smith, Admin Project Manager at PBS Wisconsin
Andy Davey, Community Resource Analyst, Madison Community Foundation
Jolynne Roorda, Co-Director, Arts + Literature Laboratory
Rita Mae Reese, Co-Director, Arts + Literature Laboratory

For more information on the panelists, click here.

Registration is required. Please register in advance here.

Questions? Contact Ellen Dobson (ellen.dobson@wisc.edu), Career Development Manager, Office of Postdoctoral Studies.

Hosted by the Center for the Humanities and Office of Postdoctoral Studies.

Employment Opportunities for Postdocs at P&G

The Procter & Gamble Company, the world’s largest consumer products company, is seeking qualified postdocs from multiple disciplines to join their research and development organization.

Company Information Sessions - Monday 10/3 6:00pm-7:30pm

Life Sciences postdocs: Room 2339 Rennebohm Hall
All other fields: Room 2401 Chemistry Department North Tower
Technical talks will precede these information sessions (4:00pm-5:00pm).

Interviews - Tuesday 10/4 and Wednesday 10/5

Interested in being considered for an on campus interview? Submit your resume and a 1-2 page research summary here by Friday 9/23.

Questions? Contact Ellen Dobson (ellen.dobson@wisc.edu).

Department of Engergy ARPA-E Fellows Program - Information Session

Friday 8/5 12:00pm-1:30pm. Room 1130 Wisconsin Energy Institute.

Do you want to work side by side the top minds in energy to solve today’s most profound challenges—and those that lie ahead?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Energy that funds out-of-the-box, transformational energy technologies that are too early stage for private investment. ARPA-E is looking for the next generation of scientific leaders to help identify potential breakthrough energy technologies. If accepted to the prestigious, two-year, paid ARPA-E Fellows program, you will have the opportunity to engage with world-class researchers in academia, industry, and government. Working with them, you can bring your own creativity and innovation to bear on the thorniest energy issues of the day.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must either possess a doctoral degree already, or be currently enrolled in a doctoral program and planning to graduate within the next year. Apply here by 8/31.

During this information session you will learn all about the program from two current ARPA-E Fellows including time for questions. Lunch is provided.

2021 - 2022 Series

Careers as a Medical Science Liaison

Thursday 12/9 12:00pm-1:00pm. Online event.

Do you have a knack for describing complicated processes or concepts to a broad range of stakeholders outside of your immediate research circle? During this month’s session, we will meet a Medical Science Liaison who combines her subject matter expertise with exceptional communications skills to cultivate and develop commercial partners of all types.

Join Emily Teslow, PhD from Promega, for a discussion of her role helping opinion leaders and business partners understand complex scientific concepts in a way that facilitates alignment and engagement with corporate goals.

Careers as a Technical Consultant

Thursday 10/21 12:00pm-1:00pm. Online event.

Technical consulting firms advise organizations in diverse sectors of the economy, governments, and not-for-profits. Join us to learn what a technical consultant does, and how these firms value your research skills, as we talk with an executive at a firm that provides expert consultancy in the energy sector.

Miriam Goldberg, PhD has a long and successful career as a technical consultant designing, executing and advising on studies that integrate data science, engineering, and social science methods. Dr. Goldberg’s firm routinely hires PhDs who convert complicated information to studies that can lead to actionable improvements. She will discuss the role that PhD talent plays in firms that provide specialized technical advising across all sectors of the economy.

Careers at a Primarily Undergraduate Serving Institution (PUI)

Thursday 9/16 12:00pm-1:00pm. Online event.

Many postdocs at research intensive institutions go on to have rewarding teaching careers at PUIs. A focus on research during your time at UW may, however, make it difficult to acquire and later prove that you have the teaching skills necessary to be competitive. During this month’s career exploration series, we will meet a skilled researcher who navigated this issue and is now an assistant professor at a small Franciscan Liberal Arts University.

Join Carina Collins as we track her career progression from her UW–Madison postdoc to designing and delivering curriculum in biochemistry for undergraduate students at Marion University. The event will be an informal discussion with plenty of time for your questions.

Careers as a Data Scientist

Thursday 8/19 12:00pm-1:00pm. Online event.

Are you interested in careers in industry? Have you ever considered how your research skills are valued outside of academia? During this month’s Career Exploration Series, we will meet a talented social scientist who now works as a Data Scientist at Apple.

Join former UW–Madison postdoc Andréa Davis as we track her career progression from the study of perception and language development in children with autism in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department, to helping Siri with language acquisition. The event will be an informal discussion with plenty of time for your questions.

Careers as a Field Application Scientist/Account Manager

Wednesday 7/15 12:00pm-1:00pm. Online event.

Are you interested in a career in industry? Have you ever considered how the million-dollar pieces of equipment we use in our research were acquired by the university? During this month’s session, we will meet Field Applications Scientists who use their research expertise and lab experience to help universities acquire, maintain and discover new uses for state-of-the-art equipment.

Join former UW-Madison postdocs Juleen Dickson and Kimberly Toops from Carl Zeiss Microscopy (part of Zeiss AG) for a discussion about their roles at a company which develops equipment for research applications in the life sciences, oil and gas exploration, semiconductor design and precise metrology.

Zeiss has open positions for smart and capable people who understand the research institutions which form their customer base. As an end user of their products, you are uniquely qualified for such roles.

2020 - 2021 Series

Industry Virtual Tour- Aldevron

Wednesday February 10, 2021 12:00pm-1:00pm. Online event.

Are you interested in a career in industry? Would you like to peek inside a brand new, state of the art commercial laboratory? Would you like the chance to meet a manager who works in different roles at a typical scientific company? The up-and-coming biologics manufacturer, Aldevron, is hosting a virtual Grand Opening to kick off their new facility expansion here in Madison.

Technical keynote by Stanford University’s Matthew Porteus.
Virtual tour of Aldevron’s expanded Madison facility.
Discussion of the talent needed to run a scientific business.
Opportunity to schedule a private 15-minute conversation with an Aldevron employee.

The event concludes with a Virtual Ribbon Cutting with Tom Foti, President of Aldevron, Rick Moss, Senior Associate Dean, UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Lisa Johnson, CEO, Bioforward and Aaron Olver, Managing Director, University Research Park.

This event is for bio-scientists, physical scientists, social scientists, and those with data analysis skills or anyone curious about how industry solves problems. Register for the event here and connection information will be sent to you.

2019 - 2020 Series

Communicating Your Value to Industry

Thursday February 27, 2020 11:30am-2:00pm. Union South (check the Today in the Union screen for room).
Panel discussion with networking and light lunch to follow.

Thinking about a career in industry? Postdocs and graduate students have experience, skills and knowledge that are valued by companies, but in order to really compete, you must present yourself effectively.

What makes you more competitive than a person with 10 years of industry experience but no PhD? You have expertise in cutting edge technologies and innovative research practices, and deep disciplinary knowledge.

Hear from former postdocs, including a CEO and an entrepreneur, who learned how to talk about their work in a way that generated serious commercial interest. The head of the new Isthmus Project, Professor Thomas "Rock" Mackie, and his staff will also be on hand to help you convert your academic thinking to a more commercially sought-after mindset.

Applying Academic Skills in Non-faculty Careers

Monday November 25, 2019 11:00am-1:00pm. Followed by a networking reception.
Auditorium 1111, Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Academic skills such as research, publishing, grant-writing, teaching, and mentorship apply to a wide variety of jobs, but graduate and postdoctoral training has traditionally focused only on preparation for faculty positions. This event is designed for scholars who want to explore non-faculty or non-academic employment options, and learn about the process of finding and applying for appropriate positions outside of academia.

This informational session will be led by Vanessa Simmering, PhD, Senior Research Scientist at ACTNext, and former UW–Madison Professor of Cognitive and Developmental Psychology. Following her seminar, there will be an interactive networking event with individuals from a wide range of careers who are tackling interesting and important societal problems in their work.

Video recording of the event here.

Research Funding Opportunities in Europe

Wednesday October 9, 2019 9:00am-11:00am. Auditorium 1111, Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Looking for research opportunities in Europe? Fellowships, grants and collaboration opportunities are available to a wide range of scientists and engineers including PhD students looking for postdoctoral fellowships and postdocs interested in collaborating with European partners on research projects.

This information session, led by international relations expert Viktoria Bodnarova of EURAXESS, will include an introduction to Horizon 2020, the EU’s funding program for research and innovation, and presentations on Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, the European Research Council and EURAXESS. Information about potential resources for scientists interested in relocating to Europe will also be provided.

Careers in Drug Development: Contract Research Organizations

Wednesday August 21, 2019. Auditorium 1111, Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm-1:00pm Panel discussion. 1:00pm-2:00pm Networking reception.

Contract Research Organizations (CROs) play a critical role in the drug development pipeline. On behalf of their clients, CROs explore the initial feasibility and safety of new compounds, engage in pre-clinical and clinical trials research, and examine the safety and efficacy of existing drugs used for different illnesses.

Covance provides comprehensive clinical laboratory and end-to-end drug development services to clients in over 60 countries. It is part of LabCorp, the largest among 8 global CROs with more than 50,000 employees.

Panelists with different roles and tenures at Covance will discuss: what motivated them to work in this area, how their work differs from academic research, and what it takes to secure a position and be successful in this exciting field.

Panelists:

Mike Sievert, PhD, Study Director
Brita Kilburg-Basnyat, PhD, Study Director
Tom Ryan, Scientific Proposal Manager
Amanda Lucchini, PhD, Study Director, Contributing Scientist

2018 - 2019 Series

Faculty Job Market Success

Monday June 10, 2019 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm. Room 1360, Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Discussion topics will include: application materials, phone interviews, campus visits, negotiations, and managing the two-body problem.

Panelists:

Scott Aoki (PhD Virology)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine
Laurel Hind (PhD Bioengineering)
Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
CY Kao (PhD Microbiology)
Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Geovanna Rodriguez (PhD Education)
Special Education and Clinical Sciences, University of Oregon College of Education

Research and Technology Development at a Biotech Company

Thursday May 30, 2019 Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm-1:00pm Panel discussion. 1:00pm-2:00pm Reception.

Panelists from Promega will discuss what it’s like to do science in a mid-sized biotech corporation, their diverse research interests in areas like chemical biology and protein engineering, and how new ideas in the company lead to projects and ultimately commercial products.

Promega has earned a reputation of being a leader in innovative reagents and tools for life science researchers over the last 40 years. Come meet scientists and postdocs from Promega's Advanced Technology Group who are developing the next generation of technology platforms in the company's research and development area.

Panelists:

Rachel Ohana PhD, Manager, Senior Scientist
Lance Encell PhD, Manager, Senior Scientist
Mike Killoran PhD, Senior Scientist
Ginny Kincaid PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher
Michelle Boursier PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher

Life in the "Small" Biotech Industry

Wednesday April 10, 2019 12:00pm-1:30pm. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
Panel discussion followed by informal networking with lunch.

The ups and downs, but mostly ups, of working for smaller biotech and pharma companies. Panelists will discuss their experiences transitioning from academia to smaller, independent biotech companies.

Is small biotech right for you and which attributes do they want?
Finding the right company – things to consider and research
Start-ups vs. Established vs. Niche Market biotechs
Career prospects: risks and benefits of joining a small biotech
You’re the expert - How communication to a multi-disciplinary audience is key

Panelists:

Aaron Almeida (PhD Chemistry), Scientist, Catalent Pharma Solutions
Thomas 'Rock' Mackie (PhD Medical Physics), Chief Innovation Officer, UW Health
Nick Rossi (PhD Chemistry), Senior Scientist II, Mirus Bio LLC
Robb Stankey (PhD Genetics), Senior Scientist, Varigen Biosciences

Co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

2017 - 2018 Series

Careers for Physical Scientists and Engineers

Wednesday June 27, 2018 12:00pm-1:30pm. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Your proven ability to use quantitative research skills to address important questions makes you highly competitive for jobs in a wide variety of employment sectors. Business, government, and non-profits need your research insight to solve critical problems.

Come hear from physical science and engineering PhDs who are using their training to pursue careers in research and development, data services, and product management.

Sebastian Goris (PhD Mechanical Engineering), Senior Research Engineer, 3M
Sean Grullon (PhD Physics), Data Scientist, GSK
Kristin Briney (PhD Physical Chemistry), Data Services Librarian, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Mike Fienen (PhD Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology), Research Hydrologist, United States Geological Survey
Andrew Schmitt (PhD Chemistry), Regional Product Manager, Brady Corporation

Faculty Job Market Success

Wednesday June 13, 2018 12:00pm-1:30pm. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Do you plan to pursue a faculty position? This informal question and answer session is an opportunity to hear the perspectives of postdocs from UW–Madison who have successfully navigated the job market this year, before they leave to start their new positions. Discussion topics will include: application materials, phone interviews, campus visits, negotiations, and managing the two-body problem.

Andrea Barton-Hulsey, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Department of Speech Language Pathology, Florida State University
Amy Dapper, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University
David Jones, PhD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan
Tatiana Mishanina, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego

Careers Using Social Science Skills

Wednesday January 24 12:00 pm-1:30 pm. 6201 Microbial Sciences.

Your proven ability to use quantitative and qualitative research skills to address important questions makes you highly competitive for jobs in a wide variety of employment sectors. Business, government and non-profits need your research insight to solve critical problems.

Come hear from social science PhDs who are using their training to pursue careers in software development, healthcare, consulting, and public policy research.

Melissa Boone (PhD Sociomedical Sciences and Social Psychology), User Research, Microsoft Xbox
Kathryn Edwards (PhD Economics), Associate Economist, RAND Corporation
Paige Smith (PhD Sociology), Healthcare Data Scientist, Lumeris
Nicole Zeng (Organizational Behavior), Senior Quantitative Researcher, Slack

Pharma Industry Site Visit: Catalent Biologics

Monday November 6 9:00am-2:00pm. Catalent Biologics, Madison.

Are you considering using your scientific expertise in the pharmaceutical industry? This event is a great opportunity to interact with industry scientists, tour their facility, and understand how your skills and experience match different roles within their company.

Catalent Pharma Solutions, a leading advanced delivery technology company, helps pharmaceutical, biotech and consumer health innovators develop and supply superior products that improve people’s lives. The Madison office is the center for biologics excellence where they produce protein and nucleic acid based therapeutics for unmet medical needs.

Within their facility, project managers coordinate the efforts of their molecular biologists, cell line developers, upstream and downstream process development scientists, and bioanalytical chemists as they develop robust processes that their GMP bio-manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance teams use to produce new therapeutic treatments for use in clinical studies.

Crafting and Delivering a Memorable Elevator Pitch

Wednesday September 20 11:30am-1:00pm. 1220 Health Sciences Learning Center.

Is your “elevator pitch” ready for use at job interviews and conferences?

Join serial entrepreneur Chris Kendrick-Parker, and Brian Jarecki (Technical Sales Consultant, Essen Bioscience) for a demonstration of this method of starting professional conversations, and receive detailed guidance on crafting and delivering your own elevator pitch.

Following the workshop, try out your pitch to start mutually beneficial conversations with participants from Promega, Essen Bioscience, and UW-Madison who have come together as part of a campus research symposium.

2016 - 2017 Series

Faculty Job Market Success: Social Sciences

Monday May 22, 2017 12:00pm-1:00pm. 1360 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Do you plan to pursue a faculty position? This informal question and answer session is an opportunity to hear the perspectives of postdocs and scientists from UW–Madison who have successfully navigated the job market this year, before they leave to start their new positions. While the panelists perform research in the social sciences, much of their experiences are relevant to all fields. Discussion topics will include: application materials, phone interviews, campus visits, negotiations, and managing the two-body problem.

Viridiana Benitez, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
Lauren Bishop-Fitzpatrick, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, UW-Madison
Edward Vargas, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, School of Transborder Studies, Arizona State University
Courtney Venker, PhD, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, Michigan State University

Careers in Management Consulting

Thursday May 18, 2017. 12:00pm-1:00pm. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

Management consulting firms routinely hire problem solvers with advanced degrees from a wide range of disciplines to solve their clients' business challenges. Individuals with proven quantitative analytical skills are especially in demand. Firms seek applicants with a drive to succeed, and will provide intense on the job business and management training for their new hires.

Come listen to the following panelists to see if this career is right for you:

Youbean Oak (PhD Molecular Biology)
Senior Consultant, Navigant. Previously at Simon-Kucher & Partners.
Lauren Silvers (PhD Comparative Literature)
Principal Consultant, GrowthPlay

Co-sponsored by The University of Chicago's UChicagoGRAD.

Video recording of the event here.

Breaking into Industry

Thursday April 20, 2017. 1:00pm - 2:00pm. 1220 Health Sciences Learning Center.

As part of an all day Gene Editing Symposium at the University of Wisconsin co-sponsored by TaKaRa Bio, the UW-Madison Office of Postdoctoral Studies is pleased to host a "Breaking into Industry" panel.

Join two product managers, a consultant, and an operations vice president from four different biotech companies to see if industry is the right place for you. Panelists will share their experiences and what led them to a career in industry.

Anjana Bhattacharya, PhD, Global Product Manager, Women's Health, Luminex
Laura Juckem, PhD, VP of Scientific Operations, Mirus Bio
Chris Parker, PhD, Biotechnology Consultant
Baz Smith, PhD, Senior Product Manager, Takara Bio

Co-sponsored by the Office of Corporate Relations.

Careers in Science Writing

Friday April 7, 2017. 1220 Biochemical Sciences.
12:00pm - 1:00pm Informal Q&A with speaker.

Join us for an informal discussion about careers in science writing and science journalism with Science Journalist, Eric Vance. After working as a scientist on research projects dealing with dolphin intelligence and coastal ecology, he became an educator and then an environmental consultant. In 2005, he attended UC Santa Cruz’s famed science communication program and discovered a passion for journalism.

Vance's work focuses on the human element of science – the people who do it, those who benefit from it, and those who do not. He has written for The New York Times, Nature, Scientific American, Harper’s, National Geographic, and a number of other local and national outlets.

Discussion topics will be driven by your questions, but we plan to at least discuss why he decided to be a science writer, what he does, and his advice for postdocs who want to successfully pursue a career in his field.

Careers in Biotech and Pharma

Monday April 3, 2017. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm-1:00pm Panel Discussion. 1:00pm - 1:30pm Reception and Q&A.

Are you looking for a position in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry? Come learn about local and multinational companies from current employees. Companies include Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. Inc. (TPUSA), Invenra Inc., and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Bryan Glaser, PhD, Head of Research, Invenra, Inc.
Michael Lawler, PhD, Group Leader, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Stacey Melquist, PhD, Senior Scientist, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Matthew Wagoner, PhD, Associate Director of Mechanistic and Investigative Toxicology, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A., Inc. (formerly with AstraZeneca)

Co-sponsored by the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Graduate Training Program and the Graduate School Office of Professional Development.

Video recording of the event here.

Careers in Government Research Labs

Tuesday March 28, 2017. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:30pm-1:30pm Panel discussion. 1:30pm-2:30pm Q&A for postdocs.

Many researchers with PhDs pursue fulfilling careers in state and federal government agencies. The mission of government agencies is distinct from academic institutions and the role of their researchers can therefore be different. Come learn how researchers in government agencies use their academic training to contribute to public policy, protect valuable resources, and help solve complex problems of national and regional importance.

Catherine Hein, PhD, Water Resources Management Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Management
Jordan Reed, PhD, Data Scientist, US Geological Survey, National Water Quality Program
Katie Richgels, PhD, Branch Chief, US Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center

Video recording of the event available here.

Careers in the Nation's Prep Schools

Wednesday March 1, 2017. 12:30pm-1:30pm. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.

PhDs in many disciplines are competitive for positions at independent college-preparatory schools. Compared with the tenure-track job market, applicants can be more geographically selective and relocate from one high school to another more easily. These institutions allow teachers a great deal of curricular and pedagogical autonomy, the opportunity to build close relationships with students and pursue extracurricular interests, and unrestricted summer breaks to use to continue academic research or augment one’s income.

Come hear from History alumni who have followed this path:

Ellen Baker, PhD, Upper School History and Integrated Liberal Studies Teacher, Riverdale Country School
Robert Gross, PhD, Upper School History Teacher, Sidwell Friends School
John Hogue, PhD, Faculty in Social Sciences, Bard High School Early College
Stephen Kolman, PhD, Head of Upper School, Trinity School
Eric O'Connor, PhD, Interim History Teacher, Sidwell Friends School

Co-sponsored by the Department of History and the Graduate School Office of Professional Development.

Video recording of the event available here.

Careers in Sociology: Beyond the Tenure Track

Wednesday February 2, 2017. 12:00pm-1:30pm. 8411 Sewell Social Sciences Building.

PhDs have a wide range of careers open to them in government, the non-profit sector, and private industry, as well as higher education. Hear from Sociology alumni who will shed light on the way they employ their training as social scientists, and discuss what they find engaging and rewarding about their work.

Zachary Baumgart, PhD, Research Analyst, Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Jeffrey Hayes, PhD, Program Director, Institute for Women's Policy Research
Sarah Lloyd, PhD, Special Projects Coordinator, Wisconsin Farmers Union
Andrea Robles, PhD, Research and Evaluation Manager, Corporation for National and Community Service

Co-sponsored by the Department of Sociology, the Department of Community and Environmental Sociology, and the Graduate School Office of Professional Development.

Careers in Research-Intensive Institutions: Assessing Your Competitiveness

Tuesday January 24, 2017. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:30pm-1:30pm Panel discussion. 1:30pm-2:30pm Q&A for postdocs.

Do you privately worry that a job as a professor at a research-intensive institution is out of reach? In today’s fiercely competitive academic job market, it is important to know if you are ready to search for a position and if you will be competitive.

A range of perspectives will be provided from senior faculty who have served on search committees, as well as a recently hired assistant professor. They will candidly discuss what it takes to secure a position and how you can accurately assess your own competitiveness.

Paula Niedenthal, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology
Tehshik Yoon, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemistry
Mostafa Zamanian, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathobiological Sciences

Video recording of the event available here.

Careers as a Staff Scientist in Academia

Thursday November 17, 2016. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm-1:00pm Panel discussion. 1:00pm-2:00pm Q&A for postdocs.

Do you love research but know you don't want to pursue the faculty track? A career as a staff scientist might be the right fit for you at a university or research institute.

Researchers seeking these positions should be aware of many nuances in this career path. We invite you to make an informed career decision by hearing from a panel of staff scientists and the Secretary of the Academic Staff, who serves as a resource for them.

Brian Beard, PhD, Senior Scientist, Geoscience
Johan Den Boon, PhD, Associate Scientist, Morgridge Institute for Research
Shane Hubbard, PhD, Assistant Researcher, Space Science and Engineering Center
Megan Spurgeon, PhD, Assistant Scientist, Oncology
Heather Daniels, MA, Secretary of the Academic Staff

Video recording of the event available here.

Careers in Research Cores

Thursday October 20, 2016. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm - 1:00pm Panel Discussion. 1:00pm - 2:00pm Q&A Session for Postdocs.

Many PhD level researchers pursue fulfilling careers in research cores. These cores provide investigators, from academia and industry, with access to instruments, technologies and services, as well as expert consultation and training. Come learn about the diversity of different research cores, and the wide range of roles you could play within them, from the following panelists:

Isabelle Girard PhD, Director, Office of Campus Research Cores
Desiree Bates PhD, Computational Chemistry Leader, Chemistry Computer Center
Lingchao Zhu PhD, Instrumentation Technologist, Paul Bender Chemical Instrumentation Center

Careers in Science Writing: Q&A with Science Writer in Residence Nadia Drake

Thursday October 6, 2016. 1360 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
10:00am - 11:00am Informal Q&A with speaker.

Join us for an informal discussion about careers in science writing and science journalism with UW-Madison Science Writer in Residence Nadia Drake.

Drake holds a doctorate in genetics from Cornell and is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz’s science writing program. She has contributed to numerous publications and venues, including Nature, Wired Science and Science News. She is a contributing writer for “No Place Like Home,” a blog with National Geographic’s Phenomena science salon.

Discussion topics will be driven by your questions, but we plan to at least discuss why she decided to be a science writer, what she does and her advice for postdocs who want to successfully pursue a career in her field.

Careers in Universities Beyond the Professoriate

Thursday September 29, 2016. 1360 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm - 1:00pm Panel Discussion. 1:00pm - 2:00pm Q&A Session for Postdocs.

Have you come to love working in higher education but are not sure you want to become a professor? The truth is, most Ph.D level employees at universities have diverse and rewarding careers beyond the professoriate. Join us for a Career Exploration panel in which we will share the experiences of individuals who have held posts at top universities as deans, program directors, registrars, science editors, and in student development.

LaRuth McAfee, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Funding, The Graduate School, UW-Madison
Robert Pearson, Student Development Specialist, University of Texas-Arlington
Greta Petersen, Administrative Director, WISCIENCE, UW-Madison
Rebekah Pare, Associate Dean and Executive Director, Career Initiative and Career Services, College of Letters and Science, UW-Madison

2015 - 2016 Series

Careers in Data Science

Tuesday June 7, 2016. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm-1:15pm Panel Discussion. 1:15pm-2:00pm Q&A Session for Postdocs.

In the last 5 years, high performance computing, once expensive and available only to those who could afford the physical gear, has become exponentially cheaper and easily accessible via the cloud. This recent development, combined with the constant demand for organizations to become ever more efficient has led to the booming interdisciplinary field, of data science. But what is data science and what does a data scientist actually do? Our panel of PhDs from physics, math, psychology and neuroscience will discuss this new career.

Pamela Clevenger, PhD, Pinterest
Pitt Fagen, VP Data Engineering, Earthling Interactive
Robert Lindner, PhD, Senior Data Scientist, Earthling Interactive
Joshua Reed, PhD, Medical Physics, UW-Madison
Brianna Schuyler, PhD, Insight Data Science

Video recording of the event available here.

Careers in Patent Law and Intellectual Property

Thursday April 28, 2016. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
4:30pm-5:30pm Panel Discussion. 5:30pm-6:30pm Q&A Session for Postdocs.

Are you interested in how intellectual property becomes commercialized? Thought you needed a law degree to work in patent law? Law firms and high tech companies need patent agents and technical specialists with PhDs because they are uniquely equipped to understand the underlying technologies and inventions that need to be acquired or protected. Come listen to the following intellectual property panelists discuss their unique careers:

Hannah Brautigam, PhD, IP Specialist, Cellular Dynamics
Julia Cox, PhD, Patent Agent, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Anne Readle, JD, PhD, Associate General Counsel, Promega
Beth Werner, PhD, Intellectual Property Manager, WARF

Video recording of the event available here.

Career Opportunities Originating in the U.S. Army

Friday April 1, 2016. 1220 Biochemical Sciences.
12:00pm-1:00pm Presentation. 1:00pm-2:00pm Q&A Session.

Colonel Robert Casillas, PhD, an accomplished scientist, highly decorated officer and successful businessperson began his career as a Bravo 71 Research Biochemist in the U.S. Army after completing a postdoc at Vanderbilt University. His academic expertise combined with military experience has led him to be an influential advisor on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear medical defense. In his current roles in the Army Reserves and as a Vice President at the defense contractor MRIGlobal, Casillas has advised top-level personnel in the military, the private sector, civilian government agencies, intelligence agencies and the White House. Come listen to an engaging talk in which Colonel Casillas describes how the U.S. Army was fertile ground for a multifaceted and rewarding career.

Careers in Industry: The different roles scientists and engineers can play in a company

Monday February 8, 2016. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
12:00pm-1:00pm Panel discussion. 1:00pm-2:00pm Q&A Session for Postdocs.

What career options are there for PhD scientists and engineers in industry? The following panel of representatives from one company, Exact Sciences, will describe the breadth of jobs available.

Ashley Poenitzsch-Strong - Research Scientist
Mike Domanico - Vice President of Product Development
Tammy Turek-Etienne - Vice President of Company Operations
Belinda Baron - Director of Lab Operations
Shawn Honeyager - Manager, Manufacturing Sciences, & Tech Transfer
Mike Gruetzmacher - National Accounts Director (Sales)
Jennifer Garber - Senior Manager of Human Resources

Careers in Biotech Networking Event

Wednesday November 18, 2015.
3:00pm-4:00pm Company introductions. 1345 Health Sciences Learning Center.
4:00pm-5:00pm Networking. Atrium, Health Sciences Learning Center.

Are you looking for a career in Biotechnology? Come join us for this networking event! Learn about Madison’s Biotech companies; who they are and what they specialize in. This is an opportunity to start connecting with research scientists, project managers, research and development group leaders, patent law attorneys, and other UW alumni in a causal networking setting.

Co-sponsored by the Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, the Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Graduate Training Program, and the Neuroscience Training Program.

Careers in Teaching-Intensive Institutions

Friday September 11, 2015. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
11:30am-12:30pm Panel discussion. 12:30pm-1:30pm Q&A Session for Postdocs.

There are more than 4,000 institutions of higher learning in the United States serving more than 20 million students. Less than one quarter of these students attend a research-intensive institution. Are you interested in teaching-intensive careers in higher education? Are you wondering if you have what it takes to teach at a community college or a private liberal arts college? Will you be able to continue your research? Can you have a meaningful impact on society by becoming an educator at an institution where the focus is on student learning? Come listen to the following PhD scientists talk about their rewarding careers:

Bart De Stasio - Lawrence University
Beth De Stasio - Lawrence University
Jeanette Mowery - Madison College
Thomas C. Tubon - Madison College
Holly Ziobro - UW-Platteville

Video recording of the event available here.

Careers in Drug Development: What to Expect in Biotech

Tuesday August 25, 2015. Auditorium, 1111 Genetics-Biotechnology Center.
9:30am-10:30am Presentation. 10:30am-11:30am Q&A Session for Postdocs.

The number of job opportunities for PhDs in Biotech and Pharma dwarfs the academic job market. Are you aware of these opportunities, and more importantly, of the differences between academic research and drug development?

Doug Kalish, PhD, entrepreneur and educator, will describe the drug development process and enumerate the roles that PhDs can play. He’ll also detail the realities of working in a non-academic environment and introduce you to the different types of business cultures you will encounter. Finally, he’ll focus on what life is like at a biotech startup – the good, the bad, and the ugly. This seminar will help you make the decision to pursue a pharma or biotech career and give you vital insights into how the industry works.

Video recording of the event available here.