For many fellows and staff scientists, the most important career decisions involve the wide range of science-based paths beyond independent academic research. The Science-Based Non-Academic Careers (SNAC) workshop is a weekly series designed to help NCI fellows, staff scientists, and staff clinicians explore those options with clarity and confidence.
Each session features guest speakers from biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, government, and other sectors, many of whom are former scientists who have successfully transitioned out of academia. They share their own career journeys and offer practical guidance on getting a job, setting work expectations, and navigating business-oriented scientific cultures, helping participants understand how to position themselves while at NIH.
Logistics
| APPROACH | LENGTH | PEOPLE |
|---|---|---|
Delivery: Virtual workshop series (Webex) Weekly guest-speaker presentations with time for discussion Speakers from biotech, pharma, government & other fields | Duration: Weekly spring and fall series Fall 2026: September 16 - November 4, 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Host: Office of Training and Education, CCT Program Manager: Ravi Dhar, Ph.D. Audience: NCI staff scientists, postdoctoral & clinical fellows, postbacs |
Topics Covered
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify and compare science-based career paths outside independent academic research
- Interpret job postings and understand what employers look for in candidates
- Strengthen resumes, cover letters, and applications for specific industries
- Build and communicate project-management, leadership, and communication skills
- Understand industry culture, cross-division collaboration, and technology transfer
- Position themselves while at NIH to improve their future career prospects
Across the series, sessions address topics grouped around three pillars:
| Focus Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Getting a Job | Interpreting different job postings; what companies look for in candidates; cover letter and resume best practices for specific jobs and industries; navigating USA Jobs; and the preparation required for different science-based career options. |
| Skills & Professional Development | Project management; developing communication and leadership skills and conveying them to employers; scientific communication, strategy development, and writing; leveraging NCI experience to build industry-ready skills; and metrics for success. |
| Navigating Industry Culture | Industry business culture; expectations for collaboration across divisions within companies; transitioning from academic research to new and different industry roles; and technology transfer. |
Learning Goals & Impact
SNAC broadens participants’ view of what a science career can look like and equips them to act early and strategically toward their goals. Drawing on the experiences of speakers who have made the transition themselves, the workshop turns unfamiliar career questions into concrete, actionable next steps.
Key takeaways from past sessions:
- The application and interview processes for non-academic jobs differ significantly from those for independent academic research positions.
- Starting job preparation early, ideally during the first year at NIH. It pays off, though it is never too late to begin.
- Many rewarding positions in industry and government do not involve bench science and require their own unique preparation.
- The workshop helps participants identify concrete steps to take while at NIH to better position themselves for the future.
Registration
Registration is required to receive join-in details and speaker materials.
Register Online: https://events.cancer.gov/cct/snac
The Fall SNAC workshop will be held from September 16 to November 4, 2026, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM.
Speakers
Guest speakers are drawn from biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, government organizations, and other fields — many of them former scientists who have built successful non-academic careers. Their biographies highlight the job functions they speak to. Read about the 2026 speakers and their topics.