Career Development
Our students' average time to their PhD is currently 5.3 years. Over the course of their PhDs, we expose our students to diverse career possibilities in academia, industry, consulting, business development, scientific publishing and science policy. Some of our students take advantage of experiential learning opportunities that include internships in Pharma/Biotech and participation in consulting case competitions. We also hold an annual event in which current graduate students network with alumni, and our annual retreat includes a "career panel" with invited speakers who describe their career trajectories and provide advice on career development. Our students are also encouraged to participate in seminars and workshops that are vital to achieving long-term success in today’s career market. The Mignone Center for Career Success offers workshops on grant writing, effectively presenting your research, developing a CV, interviewing and negotiation skills and how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.
All of our graduates are engaged in careers that make use of their scientific background, with the majority in research-intensive careers. Some have chosen to go into academia. Others have chosen careers as scientists in Biotech/Pharma, and several are consultants specializing in Biotech/Pharma.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Below are organizations that provide fellowships to postdoctoral researchers.
Student Groups
The Harvard Griffin GSAS Harvard Biotech Club is a non-profit student organization that hosts events and provides services that allow members to explore the world of business and biotechnology. The Biotech Club's mission is to bridge the gap between industry and academia by building relationships with companies operating in the biotechnology and healthcare sphere.
The Harvard Griffin GSAS Consulting Club (HGCC) is a GSAS student organization with an active member base of 1,000+ graduate students. The goal of HGCC is to provide the GSAS community with unique opportunities for career exploration and development in the field of consulting. HGCC sponsors many programs to assist GSAS students on their consulting job hunt, with an emphasis on networking events, consulting panels, interview workshops, and case competitions.
The Harvard Griffin GSAS Science Policy Group is a graduate-student led organization dedicated to creating opportunities for our Harvard community to explore the intersection between science and policy. The activities we facilitate include:
- Chats with professors and other experts where students have the opportunity to have intimate conversations on science policy issues
- Career panels and workshops where students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in science policy related careers
- Student discussion groups, public lectures, skills workshops, and networking events
- An annual visit to Washington, D.C. and regular visits around Boston to meet with organizations using science to advise and/or make policy
By creating a vibrant science policy community, we hope to develop leadership and communication skills, as well as a basic knowledge of science policy to support the next generation of leaders within government, industry, and academia.