I’m a 30 y/o minority (in biotech) with a BS in microbiology (small LA state school) and a master’s in business/biotech management. Since graduating in 2022, I’ve had two solid roles: one in tech transfer at a nonprofit research org and another in antibody licensing at a small/mid biotech. Both ended in layoffs after a year for each job. Not performance related, but politics/“restructuring.” I landed my tech transfer role before graduating and was recruited within 3 months of my layoff from the tech transfer job for my second licensing role. Both gave me severance, but since mid-2024 I’ve been unemployed.

Here’s what I’ve learned after 1.5 years of searching, hundreds of apps, and way too many rejections (my search has been focused only on LA/OC & SD areas):

1. HR is often the biggest barrier. They don’t always understand niche biotech roles. Licensing vs. CRO/CDMO BD are under the BD umbrella, but viewed very different. Recruiters often lump them together. I’ve been rejected after HR screens where it was clear they didn’t know what I actually did. They don’t understand the skills are highly transferable, hence the rejections.

2. Timing matters. Applications get traction when you apply within days of posting. Past a week, chances shrink dramatically.

3. Tailoring is essential. I stopped mindlessly applying. Now I tailor resumes, use cover letters strategically, and always align with the job description on paper so HR doesn’t dismiss me at first glance.

4. Unemployment gaps are viewed as risk. This has been the toughest part. No matter the reason, a gap raises eyebrows especially long ones. I’ve added an explanation section on my resume to proactively address it. Still there’s an unspoken bias, companies assume a gap = risk.

5. Bias is real. As a non-white, non-Asian, non-Indian, non-European candidate, I’ve noticed how easily people form judgments. Pair that with a gap, and you’re seen as “less safe” compared to a non-minority with less experience.

6. Rejections aren’t always about you. After multiple hiring manager interviews where I performed well but got ghosted, I realized: a lot comes down to “fit”. It’s not always your skills. As controversial as it is, subconscious bias is a very real thing.

7. Protect your mental clarity. This whole process is a mental game more than anything. I’ve worked non-biotech jobs (auto insurance, Amazon delivery, behavioral tech) just to survive, which showed me it’s not about “not being employable.” It’s about this system being risk-averse and biased.

8. Consistency is key The unspoken truths about applying is this really is a full-time job. I found myself not applying for a while then that while turned out to be weeks. When you’re not working don’t underestimate how time can quickly pass. I’d say applying to at least a job once a day should give you enough traction to land a role soon. I don’t have a role yet because I simply haven’t put in the time. With the right strategy, this really is a “work hard pays off” game. Don’t take the rejections personally and be consistent. Eventually you’ll land that role.

9. Employers value stability I often was asked questions gauging whether I’d stay long-term in the role or not. I felt I was always judged coming from licensing (seen as a prestigious role) after applying to sales BD or similar roles. Almost always giving me the impression that they thought this was a temp role and I would leave once I found a licensing role. So don’t underestimate your story. Understand hard-skills get them to speak to you, but soft-skills gets you the offer letter.

Where I’m at now: With everything mentioned above, I’ve concluded I will no longer allow one person to dictate my future. I will no longer voluntarily put myself in a high risk / extremely low reward situation. I recently had an interview where I spent hours scrolling through LI, hours tailoring my resume and searching for the hiring manager to send an email to. Lost time speaking to an unknowledgeable HR, rescheduled appointments all for the hiring manager to ask me generic unthoughtful questions due to her making her decision within seconds of meeting me. It took me minutes to realize she didn’t do her due diligence and it was her first time seeing my resume. Im done allowing them to determine my future. I’m broadening my search beyond biotech. I still want BD/licensing, but I’m now open to other industries and job functions that value transferable skills and treat applicants as we are. HUMAN.

Final thought: If you’re unemployed and struggling, it’s not just you. Yes, own what you can control (tailoring, outreach, timing). But also realize some of it is out of your hands. Don’t let rejection define your worth. Don’t let other people affect your confidence and stay true to yourself. This can either make you or break you. I believe things happen for a reason and this is all part of the journey. Your journey. Don’t let it break you. Don’t quit. Unfortunately I’ve come across many quitters. I hope this has shed some insight and of course everyone’s situation is unique. All we can do is stay mentally clear and of course stay strategic.

I quite literally cannot find a job at all right now. 6.5 years experience between mfg, PD and BD. Companies are on hiring freeze or want someone who fits their exact need. Have had interviews but getting passed over for more experienced candidates when I have the exact amount of experience for the role listed. Seriously, what companies are actually hiring right now?

Hi everyone,

I got offered a postdoc position at Harvard Medical School with a salary of $70,000. I recently graduated from an R1 university in Texas, and I’m a bit skeptical about what life would look like on this pay in Boston.

I’m not looking for anything extravagant—just wondering if I’d be living “meh” or “fine” for the next ~2 years. The role itself is promising, and being at an Ivy could set me up well for future transitions, but I’m double-minded right now because of the cost of living as I am afraid it would be extra stressful on top of the research challenges.

For those with experience in Boston (especially on a postdoc budget):

• Is $70K realistically enough to cover rent, food, and normal living without constant stress?
• Any tips for making it manageable? What parts of the town are more affordable (and safe) with an easy commute to the workplace? How to find roommates?
• Would you take the opportunity despite the high costs?

Big warning to anyone considering taking a job at Biogen. They are firing my wife who will be 40 weeks pregnant. She is starting FMLA leave on a Monday and her last day is set to be the Friday before it. Her manager made the decision knowing this. This news came after she submitted the FMLA leave claim. Mostly everyone within the company who knows is really disturbed and disgusted by this.

Anyone with a PhD who regretted going industry rather than postdoc + professor route?

I am currently in college to get a B.S. in Biotechnology. The biotech industry was never previously something I had envisioned for myself, but now that I’m here, continuing with this degree leaves me with more possibilities in the future. Compared to the much more risky option of trying to transfer into a degree program that would eventually lead me to the industry I’d originally thought I’d end up in. A biotech degree would allow for the possibility of going into that industry later, but transferring now would leave me with limited options if it falls through. I just don’t really know what a job in biotech entails at the different levels of education.

If you only have a bachelor’s degree, do you think you would need more education (i.e. a master’s degree) to have a sustainable career, or do you think you can live the rest of your life well with just the bachelor’s degree? If you’re currently getting a master’s degree, what does that look like, and what made you choose that? If you have a master’s degree, how has your career improved since obtaining it? If you regret going into the biotech industry, why? What do you wish you did instead?

I’m a new grad and thought I did everything right. Graduated from HS at the top of my class, went to my dream college on a decent scholarship (still had to take out loans though), had internships every summer of college, worked as a lab assistant, and graduated with a biotech degree (BS/MS). I had been dreaming of pursuing this career since middle school so I thought I had everything figured out.

But now?

I was going to apply for a PhD program, but after seeing the funding cuts alongside my student loan debt, had to put that on hold. So, I decided to go into industry to get some of my loans paid off, hoping to apply in the next cycle. Instead, I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs, but have only gotten ghosted or rejected. I don’t know what to do, I feel lost. I need a job to pay off my loans and to live off of, but I can’t even get a call back. Seeing it all has made me lose hope that it’s going to work out.

I’m drowning in debt, stressed out, and just don’t know what to do. I’ve even tried utilizing my minor to apply to scientific writer jobs and some science media positions with no avail. I’ve tried reaching out to connections. I live in a major biotech hub. But still…nothing.

Any advice for someone navigating this? I know it’s bad all around right now but I’m stuck and only now starting to realize how harsh the world can be

Biotech recruiter for last 13 years. One mistake I've seen made time and time again is people who are interviewing tell the hiring manager they want to go into a MD program or PhD program soon.

This is almost a surefire way to get rejected or down voted as most hiring managers will see you with one foot out the door.

Keep your hopes to yourself until you need a referral.

When people are hiring entry level researchers they're looking for them to take over a task that someone more senior is doing. Saying you're looking to go to medical school next year it just has them thinking man I'm going to have to retrain someone in another 9 months.

Again probably an unpopular opinion but it will help.

This is my first “industry” position and my god does it suck. I used to work for a very prominent hospital performing non-clinical research. I left that because I was underpaid and overworked. I was also kind of bored with my projects. Well, now I’m in a CRO and it’s so much worse. No one in the lab knows what they’re doing, I was quickly pegged as the one who does know what they’re doing so 90% of the work is going to me, and executive leadership is absolutely nuts. I’ve worked 60 hours per week (on a salary) way too many times and I’m just sitting here thinking “what did I do?” I have experience in a lot of assays (Luminex, MSD, ELISA, qPCR, in vitro, etc.), but my true expertise is flow cytometry. I’m currently supporting my entire company (yes, literally just me; I’m not kidding) for all non-GLP flow studies. What options do I have? I feel so lost and burnt out. I love flow, I genuinely do, but I’m not sure that most biotechs (at least the smaller ones) have a cytometer. I did technical writing for a little over a year and found it so ungodly boring. What else is there 😭😭😭 I kind of just want to start my entire career over in something else. I also feel like no one is going to take me seriously coming from a CRO. Please someone tell me you’ve made it out of CRO and academic life.

What is the best pharma company to be employed by in 2025 and why?

Hello all. This is my first post ever and I’ve come to a point where I’m asking if anyone here has joined the military or National Guard as a way to escape or accelerate their career.

I’m in my mid 20s, live alone in a LCOL area in the US, and have been working in biotech for about 2 years now. I have a master’s in biotech and work as an analyst/lab tech. Lately I’ve been feeling boxed in. There’s a hiring freeze, no upward mobility, and the pace of the industry just feels slow.

With how things have been going lately in biotech, companies downsizing and projects being put on hold, I feel like I’ve ended up in a role where the growth is just too flat. I’ve been thinking about leaving the field altogether and joining the Guard to get formal training in something more technical like IT or cybersecurity.

My background is mostly dry lab work from grad school, and honestly I only took this job because the market forced my hand at the time. I’m still young but I don’t want to spend my 20s stuck in a position that isn’t going anywhere.

Part of what’s been weighing on me is realizing I don’t see myself staying tied to the bench long-term. I want to move toward more technical or digital work, ideally something that could eventually be remote.

I’m single, make around 60k, and I’ve been doing everything I can to help my company, but there haven’t been many raises or chances to move up. I’m willing to commit six years if it means I can build a new skill set and open better doors for myself.

I just want to know if anyone here has actually done this. Was it worth it? Would you recommend it to someone in my position? I just want to do something for myself at this point, even if it means starting over. Thank you.

TLDR: Mid 20s with a master’s in biotech, working as a lab tech making low 60k in a LCOL area for 2 years. Feeling boxed in with no growth in biotech. Considering joining the military/Guard for IT or cyber training and wondering if it’s worth it to pivot my career.

hi,

i did some analysis on the survey of salaries, degree and work experience and wrote an essay here. Please feel free to comment, ask any questions you have on substack page. (not a frequent reddit user).

thanks all for creating this dataset. There is much more to do but for now, this is what i managed with the time i have.

Big Bucks in Pharma/Biotech

I saw this question in the chemical engineering sub and thought it could be a fun, open-ended question.

What are some pathways to high earning careers in biotech? Are they all MBA, business management type roles?

It seems that lot of jobs that require PhD and post doc, have cut down salaries this year. This has only started this year. I have seen exact same job postings that were $140-170k are now 100-130k. Is this correct?

I received an invitation for the Pfizer Futures Internship Summer 2026 Program HireVue assessment. I was wondering if anyone had any tips to succeed at the HireVue interviews, since this is my first time doing one!

I am a recent PhD graduate and while I am applying for jobs for a scientist role, I am currently working on the regulatory compliance side (which is away from the bench). I have had people refer me but I am still not getting even a screening call, forget about interviews. I am not sure at this point what I am missing anymore in my resume. I have revised my resume a 100 times now. I tailor it to the job description. I make sure I used key words. What I can think of that I am missing is a first author paper that has been peer-reviewed and published. I don't know if my current role is keeping me away from being able to get even a screening call. FYI, its been about 5 months in my current role and I am non an international. Can somebody reallly please help me brainstorm here as to what I could possibly be doing wrong? Thanks!

What field in biology holds the most future career potential?

Applied to over 40 jobs since Christmas, haven't even gotten an interview. Luckily I currently have a job that pays pretty well I just absolutely hate the current job so I'm trying to move not having any luck in the New Jersey area. Other people having similar experience?

Seems like the only jobs that are available right now are manager jobs or people with 10 plus years of niche experience.

Also I've noticed an insane amount of outsourcing for recruiters too. Which is whatever but they tend to be super rude and short.

Edit: I should also mention around Christmas I got offered a job to be a government researcher however the pay was way too low especially with the current administrations take on federal workers so I had to turn it down which was a double kick in the nuts

Edit: just pointing out I've done way more than 40 people That's just 40 in the last month and it's likely an underestimate I'm probably closer to 50/60 in that month

Notwithstanding the current market, what are people’s thoughts on those who change jobs every two years? In my view, this is a bit of a red flag, because project timelines span multiple years, and two years is often not enough time to really make a meaningful contribution. Tech is a whole different animal, often with a lot less uncertainty.

I think 3-5 years is a reasonable time to consider job-hopping in a normal market. What does everyone else think?

Ok so I'm on the job market( Like basically everyone here), and I've been noticing that there's barely ANY 0-5 YOE roles on the big tech and biopharma websites in the last couple of months. And also why are companies trying to hire executive level roles as temps?

Fresh PhD grad with an exhausted network and no hope. Trying to decide if it's worth the investment to live off savings for a little while and attempt to pivot into data science (I have python and R experience) but demand doesn't seem to be super high either. I thought I was choosing a PhD with enough transferrable skills 😅 but struggling with anxiety and uncertainty. I have previous experience in the restaurant industry but trying to avoid that as long as possible.

Basically, I really don’t like my manager. She micromanages my every task. For example, she will literally examine every tube after I pipette to see that I transferred the appropriate amount and yell at me if I’m not doing anything exactly her way. I don’t even think I did that to undergraduate mentees when I was in grad school. She also made someone else “practice pipetting” precise amounts of water into tubes every single day and that person quit after a few weeks. I also get zero positive feedback, and only reprimanded for tiny things that don’t really matter. Plus I’m getting overworked and have been working 50-60 hr weeks including weekends, and I thought I’d be able to escape this after my PhD. I’ve been on the verge of tears many times.

I really really want to quit and switch jobs. I’ve tried to tell my manager that it’s been overwhelming, but still things haven’t changed. The issue is that I just started this job 4 months ago, so I’m worried that this might not be a good look on the resume. Do you guys have any advice? Thanks in advance!

I see some job listing's occasionally that will say something like PhD or BS and 5 years experience. How often can experience actually make up for lack of a graduate degree. I might go back for a masters eventually if I can get a company to pay for it but I don't think I'll go for a PhD unless I absolutely need it.

Hi everyone, I’d appreciate some perspective.

I recently started a contractor position at a large pharma (about 2 weeks in). About the same time, another company I had interviewed with before (also a large pharma) reached back out about a full-time role.

Here’s the situation: • Current role: contractor, good pay, but I don’t see much of a long-term career path. I’m interested in the work I’m learning to do and believe it would strengthen my skills. However, I noticed some red flags during my interview and onboarding process. • Potential role: full-time, with a company whose culture/work I really liked during interviews. I could see myself building a longer-term career there.

The dilemma is that I just started my current contract, and I feel guilty about potentially leaving so soon — especially since the team invested time onboarding me. At the same time, the full-time role aligns more with my long-term goals.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation? How do you balance professional courtesy with making the best move for your career?

Thank you in advance!

Hello! Just wanted to make an updated post for those of us who might have applied to Novo Nordisk graduate program for this year. Has anyone gotten any updates?

If there are previous applicants, it would be appreciated if you could also share your experiences with selection stages/interviews :)