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Old 09-25-2012, 10:17 AM
 
Location: the dairyland
1,222 posts, read 2,271,969 times
Reputation: 1731

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Hey everyone,

I'm thinking about relocating to the Boston area after I finish my graduate degree in the biomedical sciences. Having lived in Wisconsin, Madison or Chicago come to mind first, but it seems like the biotech and pharm hubs are either Boston or the San Francisco Bay Area. Since I am going to relocate anyway I might as well move there to increase my odds of finding a job in my field without having to bridge too much time with a job that I do not want. Also, it seems that there are plenty of foreign workers in Boston so they are probably pretty friendly towards outsiders there (I received a large chunk of my education in Europe).

Does anyone have any insight on how accessible this market (biotech/pharm) is in Boston? Maybe even compared to the Bay Area?
I could also imagine working in an academic lab, of which there are plenty in the Boston area, especially if I can't find an industry job right away. But I'd prefer a job outside of academia, so that's my priority.

Thanks!
Robbi
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Old 09-26-2012, 11:22 AM
 
Location: the dairyland
1,222 posts, read 2,271,969 times
Reputation: 1731
*bump* anyone?
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Old 09-26-2012, 03:34 PM
 
925 posts, read 2,735,430 times
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Do you mean how easy is it to find a job in that field? If so, it's a growing area, particularly in Cambridge, and there seem to be lots of career opportunities. I don't know how to compare it to the job market in SF (although I've lived in both the Bay Area & Boston and would be glad to share my two cents on pros & cons of each). If I misunderstood your question please feel free to clarify.
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Old 09-26-2012, 09:41 PM
 
643 posts, read 1,034,568 times
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Are you finishing with a MS or a PhD? I get the feeling it is easier to find a job with a MS with 0 years of experience than a PhD (assuming no post-doc), mostly because of biomedical PhD glut.
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Old 09-27-2012, 07:18 AM
 
Location: Lynn, MA
325 posts, read 484,898 times
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Biostatistician?

I know for a fact they are in demand.
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Old 09-27-2012, 09:38 AM
 
Location: the dairyland
1,222 posts, read 2,271,969 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kmann-sherborn View Post
Do you mean how easy is it to find a job in that field?
Yep exactly that. Thanks for your response. If you could share your pro's and con's about the Bay Area vs. Boston I'd appreciate that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dravogadro View Post
Are you finishing with a MS or a PhD? I get the feeling it is easier to find a job with a MS with 0 years of experience than a PhD (assuming no post-doc), mostly because of biomedical PhD glut.
I am finishing with a PhD, but I also happen to have an MS, so I could leave the PhD out of my resume and pretend that I have 4 years experience as a research assistant, which is technically not even a lie, right? I'm not very familiar with job hunting in the US because I've lived in Europe the majority of my life.
Is it okay to leave out my PhD if it increases my chances to get a job posted for applicants with an MS? Or is that unethical?

Last edited by Rob702; 09-27-2012 at 09:55 AM..
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Old 09-27-2012, 09:25 PM
 
643 posts, read 1,034,568 times
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I don't have direct experience but I can make grand sweeping statements based on a few friends' experiences.

I think it is tough to find a job as a newly-minted PhD without a post-doc (if you have been very productive or perhaps you are in certain biomed sub-fields [like biostats], or have amazing recs.... this will change). Also, if your networking is very good...anything is possible.

I think with grad glut, that companies can choose to be very picky. However, I would say your luck is likely to be better in either Boston or the Bay area because there are so many start-ups that are constantly hiring new blood. I think if you are open to a post-doc, that you will have *no* trouble finding a spot (fewer in industry, but they exist).

You can also try applying for jobs that say MS with 3-5 years of experience.
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Old 09-28-2012, 02:01 PM
 
Location: the dairyland
1,222 posts, read 2,271,969 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dravogadro View Post

I think it is tough to find a job as a newly-minted PhD without a post-doc
I'd be open to a post-doc if that helps me to get my foot in the door.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dravogadro View Post
You can also try applying for jobs that say MS with 3-5 years of experience.
In that case, would you still mention the PhD on your resume or only the MS?
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Old 09-29-2012, 01:51 PM
 
643 posts, read 1,034,568 times
Reputation: 471
Well if you have decent pubs and recs, then I think a post-doc will not be a problem.

I would keep my resume true to form....I'm assuming you would use your current boss as a rec and will they pretend that you were just working for the last 4 years??
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Old 09-30-2012, 02:45 PM
 
Location: the dairyland
1,222 posts, read 2,271,969 times
Reputation: 1731
Quote:
Originally Posted by dravogadro View Post
I would keep my resume true to form....I'm assuming you would use your current boss as a rec and will they pretend that you were just working for the last 4 years??
Fair enough.
I could ask her to do that though.
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