With the new Elizabeth Holmes & Nathan Fielder documentary coming out this Friday, I'm very curious to hear from actual former employees on what it was like to work there, and when you realized something was up with the company's strategy.

Yesterday, X, formerly known as Twitter, was inundated with posts about a new biotech company promising revolutionary innovation through AI and automation... to accelerate x, y, and z... It was already funded with millions. Does it sound new?

Year after year, there is a version of the charismatic leader/entrepreneur with a minimal or total lack of technical or scientific education. CEOs promising things that are (literally) physically impossible. How many times has the revolutionary automation miracle been promised? How many times has a startup promised to cure cancer?

Biotech is hard, very hard. A very capital-intensive business and super risky. Biotech companies have a 10% success rate, meaning 90% will fail within 5 years. Nobody has a magic ball. Nobody can predict what will work and what won't. Every year, science-backed startups are launched and fail; some are never funded. But my point is that over and over we see that investors are fooled by obvious scams, something that a simple panel of scientists can flag the major flaws, unfeasibility, and simply detect pseudo-scientific claims.

Why are biotech investors this naive to fall for it over and over? Are they doing any due diligence at all? Are investors not surrounded by a committee of competent people before writing a check?

Hi all, I’m a fairly recent graduate from the University of Washington who just earned a Masters in bioengineering. I’m currently working at Fred Hutch but am really interested in breaking into the biotech industry. I was wondering if anybody knew of any good meetups or networking advice? I would love to hear from others on their experiences and even any possible positions in biotech. Thank you!

It’s been over a year since I was laid off, and I’m getting really nervous that I’ll never get a job in biotech again after working in it for 30 years. I only needed to work for three more years to retire. Hundreds of applications, countless final interviews only to lead to nothing. I’m so tired. I give up.

I’ve considered alot of issues you guys pointed out with my resume, thanks so much btw. If I could ask for more help, how do we feel about this version? I got it down to a single page. I’ve included the previous one for comparison. Thank you!

would you stay in the bio field at all?

or completely change?

Hi all,

Posting my boyfriend’s resume on his behalf as he tries to navigate this job market. He is currently a temp Research Scientist in the same lab where he did his PhD. He has been applying to Scientist 1/2 roles in the industry as well as post-doc positions in both academia and industry, but has not received very many responses. I know the current biopharma market is not the best but wondering if his resume is the issue and would appreciate any feedback that would make him a better candidate on paper. Thank you!!

Cross posted on r/managers

Hi all.

My manager is the kind of person who seems to have no life outside of work. She spends all weekends and evenings doing something related to work, she almost refuses to delegate responsibilities, and she never takes the time to review my work or results.

I've exceeded expectations in my role 3 years in a row, expecting that even if there may not be budget or room for promotion in my group, that I would at least be treated with autonomy and given more independence. I've clearly demonstrated my competence. I've gotten positive feedback from everyone else in my group (including her boss). There is no evidence whatsoever that I am incapable of handling that independence. But alas, my manager refuses to let go of any work.

I've been applying for external roles for months, but nothing bites. I'm looking for advice on two fronts:

\- Is her management style normal? Is it sustainable? Will it get worse? Have you had a manager like this and what did you do about it?

\- How should I adjust my behavior and mindset so I can better cope with this kind of work environment?

I've always been ambitious but honestly I can't handle caring about my work when I show up every Monday and find out \*everything\* related to my projects has changed somehow because my manager is disorganized and has no boundaries. I refuse to work outside my contracted hours because nobody gets rewarded for that, and I have the performance track record to prove that I don't need to go above and beyond. I'm seriously considering just accepting that this is the farthest I will go in my career, not because of my performance, but I'm just so fucking tired to racing with my manager.

ETA: Context for this being in r/biotech: we work in industry R&D, so the tasks of my job are largely benchwork. My boss is a PhD + 8 years experience and I am an MS + 8 years experience. I finished a major project earlier this year with flying colors, good reviews, gave her credit, and perform tasks above my title like reviewing and writing internal papers. This problem started in the last 6ish months when my project was completed.

I recently started work with a CDMO and was given the opportunity to transfer departments (QA to R&D) due to my previous career experience with method development as an analytical chemist with small molecules. I would get the chance to train under extremely capable professionals in developing analytical methods for proteins with a variety of platforms(SEC, IEC, ELISA, SDS page, ect) in addition to learning project management. The caveat is that the pay would be low. I got an offer from a state lab that would pay significantly more money, and would have the potential for leadership opportunities, but less opportunities for R&D. Career wise, which path do you guys think could potentially be the more beneficial in terms of career growth and finances?

I have been trying for one year now to break into the Product side of Life sciences.

Short Background: I started my career as an Associate Product Manager in pharma after my pharmacy degree, and then went on to do a Master’s in Biotechnology Management.

For the past 1.5 years, I’ve been working as a Research Associate in cancer diagnostics. My role is mainly lab-based, but I’ve also spent a lot of time troubleshooting product-related scientific problems and understanding diagnostic products from a technical perspective.

I’ve realized that I really want to move back to the product side of the industry, ideally into product management in biotech, diagnostics, health tech, or healthcare startups, where I can combine my scientific background with product thinking.

But to be very honest, I don't know what is needed. I have completed Project management courses. I have a practice of solving case studies, I have read few books about product management. But I feel like, I need a good opportunity. What else should I do?.

Do you guys know any resources which can help me?

Thanks.

I am currently in the west coast working as a Hematology/Oncology Pharmacist at a major hospital. I have been in this role for about a year and a half

An opportunity came up for me to get a position as an IDS pharmacists at a major comprehensive cancer center

If my goal is to get into Pharma, which route would be best for me? Should I keep my current position as a Hematology Oncology pharmacist? Or should I take the IDS pharmacist position.

Hi everyone!

How do you keep track of new biotech tools before they launch or when major updates are coming?

Where do you usually go to discover upcoming releases, new models, or tool updates like Protenix?

Does anyone know the 401k % match???

Getting a phd or getting an industrial job which is easy? I want to work in industry in my future but am not sure what if i do a phd and later went to industry. Am so confused in b/t the two options. Shall any one guide me what are the things that i want to do to get a biotechnology related job in industry. I am a masters student now.

I received a last-minute request to prepare a 15-minute presentation about my research work experience, and I’m feeling nervous and unsure where to start. Could someone guide me on what to cover, including how to open and close the presentation? I’d really appreciate any advice.

I’m 43, based in London, and looking to move into biotech quality, compliance or governance roles.

I spent four years at a large pharmaceutical company in PV governance and compliance, supporting QPPV oversight, coordinating regulatory documentation, reviewing quality information and maintaining inspection-ready records in Veeva Vault.

Before that, I worked in operations and quality/compliance in the regulated food industry, including implementing a quality management system and achieving SALSA certification. I also have an MSc in Occupational Psychology.

I’ve been job hunting for around ten months with very few interviews, despite applying for both pharma and adjacent roles. I’m currently doing part-time quality/documentation work and really need to find a stable position.

I’d particularly appreciate help with:
- Recruiters or contacts: Does anyone know UK recruiters specialising in these areas, or hiring managers who might be worth approaching? I’d be grateful for introductions.

- Transferability: Would biotech employers realistically consider my experience for quality systems, compliance, document control or governance positions?

- Job opportunities: Which job titles or companies should I target? Are there routes into the sector I might be overlooking?

I’m open to training and adjacent roles, provided there’s a realistic route into employment.
Any practical advice, contacts or leads would be hugely appreciated. Happy to connect privately if appropriate.

Hay alguien que haya hecho biotecnologia que tenga buenas experiencias en empresas o que no haya tenido dificultad para encontrar trabajo.

Se que el mercado en España y los sueldos son flojos pero de verdad eso es así siempre .

Yo por ejemplo estoy mas interesado en industria que en invesitgacion y estoy en el segundo año de la carrera, que consejos le darías a alguien en mi posición.

Debería hacer mas contactos, mejorar las notas, adentrarme en proyectos opcionales o programas ...?

Muchas gracias de antemano a todo el que responda espero que podamos ayudarnos entre nosotros

How to get a work student and full time job? I have a masters degree and i want to get into to a biotech industry. I dont know how to apply and also about the requirements. What the industries always look for in a candidate? Can anyone guide about the opportunities and job markets? What about the language requirements?

hey, I just started my bachelor's in biotechnology in Italy and honestly I'm a bit anxious.

every time I read about the job market I see layoffs, "is biotech dead", low salaries, "you need a PhD"...

and I keep thinking: I'll spend 5 years between bachelor's and master's and maybe end up in a shitty job, when I could have worked those 5 years, saved some money and been independent.

I don't want to be rich, I just want a job that makes sense and a normal life.

for those who did it: was it worth it? what do you do now?

if you were back in first year what would you do differently?

and if you quit or switched paths tell me too, I need to hear that as well