Science Based Non-Academic Careers (SNAC)
The Science-Based Non-Academic Careers (SNAC) workshop assist and inform NCI Fellows, Staff Scientists, and Staff Clinicians about exploring various science-based career opportunities outside of independent academic research.
As fellows and staff scientists at the National Cancer Institute, many of you will be exploring and choosing from various science-based career options in the future. The Office of Training and Education (OTE) in the Center for Cancer Training (CCT) is hosting weekly workshops to help participants learn about the various career opportunities that lie outside of independent academic research. Given these may include unfamiliar roles outside of traditional bench science, we have invited guest speakers from various science-based backgrounds to provide information and insight that will help inform decisions about potential future endeavors.
Speakers from biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, government organizations and other fields present on diverse topics and share their experiences and individual journeys while describing best practices for getting a job, setting work expectations and navigating unique business-oriented scientific cultures. Many of the speakers are former scientists who have successfully transitioned to different science-based career tracks outside of academia. If you are thinking about choosing a non-independent research-based career path, this workshop will help shed light on how to position yourself while at NIH and improve your chances of success in the future.
The biographies of invited speakers will help reveal the types of job functions on which they will be presenting.
Workshop Topics
Each workshop session covers topics such as:
- Interpreting different job postings
- What companies look for in candidates
- Cover letter and resume writing best practices for specific jobs and industries
- Project management
- Developing communication and leadership skills–effectively conveying these skills to employers
- How to leverage experiences at NCI to develop the skills to succeed in industry
- Industry business culture
- Expectations for collaboration across divisions within companies
- Transitioning from academic research to industry–new and different roles
- Scientific communication, strategy development, and writing
- Technology transfer
- Navigating USA Jobs
- Preparation required for different science-based career options
- Metrics for success
Takeaways from Previous Workshops
Some of the major takeaways from previous workshops include:
- There are significant differences in the application and interview processes for non-academic jobs versus independent academic research positions.
- It is far better to begin your job preparation earlier rather than later (preferably during your first year at NIH), but it is never too late to start!
- There are many positions existing within the industry and the government that does not involve bench sciences and requires unique processes and preparation.
- The workshop helps participants identify things to do while at NIH that will better position them for the future.
Location and Time
The SNAC workshop will be held on Wednesdays from March 5 through June 11, 2025, between 3:00pm and 4:00pm ET. The presentations will be held virtually via WebEx.
This workshop is open to all staff scientists, postdoctoral, clinical fellows, and postbacs. Registration is required to receive join-in details and speaker handouts.
Registration
Registration is now CLOSED.
There is no registration fee. Please do not register more than once.
For more information, contact:
Ravi Dhar, Ph.D., Program Manager
Office of Training and Education
Center for Cancer Training
National Cancer Institute
dharr@od.nih.gov
Dates
Read more about the speakers and their topics for the 2025 sessions.
March 5 – Tina Miranda, Ph.D. – Health Scientist Administrator, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, NCI
March 12 – Hillary Hoffman, Ph.D. – Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist, NICHD, NIH
March 19 – Jason Cristofaro, Ph.D., J.D. – Program Manager, Intellectual Property Program Manager, DCTD, NCI
March 26 – Eric Hale, J.D., M.S., M.B.A., Deputy Ethics, Counselor, Ethics Office, NCI
April 2 – Catriona Blunt, Ph.D. - Engagement Manager, L.E.K. Consulting
April 9 – Rebecca Cerio, Ph.D. – Health Science Policy, NIDDK
May 7 – Tiffany Wallace, Ph.D. – Branch Director, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, NCI
May 21– Jigarkumar Patel, Ph.D. – Pharmaceutical Scientist, CDER, FDA
May 28 – Delphine Lissa, Ph.D. - Director Scientist, Early Oncology Clinical Science, AstraZeneca
June 4 – Andrew Sinkoe, Ph.D. - Founder and CEO at Sesh Incorporated, DC
June 11 – Patricia Escobar, Ph.D. - Executive Director, Nonclinical Drug Safety, Genetic Toxicology and Mutagenic impurities. Merck