Careers in Plant Science and Beyond
Plant science is an exciting field where many students opt for a PhD. While working in academic positions can be fulfilling, there are also many other career paths to explore. Statistics show that only about 15% of postdoctoral scientists land a tenure-track position (McConnell et al., 2018), leaving a lot of terrain to explore. In this article, we aim to help you answer the question, “What do I like to do for work?” as suggested by career strategist and coach Ashley Ruba. We will explore several career options and hear from experts in various fields to give you a better sense of what different roles involve.
INDUSTRY JOBS
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Job titles: R&D Scientist, Associate Scientist, Junior Scientist
Just like in academia, companies also hire scientists to research and develop new products (R&D). Many researchers think of transitioning to industry roles because of these similarities. However, there are major differences between academic and industrial research. In industry, research is often fast-paced due to larger teams and bigger budgets that focus on specific goals. Projects are also more flexible, and if something is not working out, it might be adjusted or even terminated. The organizational structure is also different, with multiple layers of management overseeing projects. There is a strong emphasis on performance evaluation and goal setting compared to Academia. Because the global market size of the biotechnology sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.95% in the next ten years (Nova One Advisor, 2023), there will be plenty of employment opportunities for interested scientists.
What do you need?
A strong background in molecular biology or bioinformatics, as well as data analysis can open doors in these sectors. Industry is often more interested in your critical thinking and technical skills rather than what organism(s) you worked on in the past.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Job titles: QA Engineer, QA Analyst, Quality Inspector
“Quality assurance” (QA) is about making sure products meet high standards. For that, companies hire QA specialists to ensure that everything complies with regulations and standards, and to conduct audits according to the company’s quality management systems (QMS). The job involves different tasks depending on the industry and the level of experience. You might find yourself checking the calibration of manufacturing equipment, managing reports on any issues, or even revising the procedures within the QMS to improve quality. QA is crucial in biotechnology and pharma. Professionals in these sectors often have a background in life sciences, including plant biology, which gives them the technical know-how to understand and assess quality assurance processes. Many entry-level QA specialists pick up the specific knowledge they need through on-the-job experience.
What do you need?
QA specialists have a detail-oriented mindset, good communication and analytical skills, and are also well versed in statistics.
Further resources: An Overview Of Careers In QA by Proclinica
TECHNICAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Job titles: Sales Engineer, Technical Sales Representative, Technical Account Manager
Sales Reps are key players in a company’s success, responsible for selling products or services and driving revenue. If there is no money, there is no company; therefore, Sales Reps are fundamental to keep a company on float. PhD holders can work as Technical Sales Reps., unlike Sales Reps, they have a deeper technical and scientific understanding of their products, which helps them meet the specific needs of their customers. This is especially important in the life sciences sector, where products can be complex and customizable. In biotech sales, having a scientific background, like a degree in plant biology, can be a big advantage. Sales Reps gather information to find new customers, stay informed about competitors, and work closely with clients and other departments like marketing and R&D. They also attend events and give presentations or demonstrations. Sales roles are performance-driven, often come with strong compensation, and offer great opportunities for career growth. However, the competitive nature of the job means you’ll be regularly assessed based on your performance against company targets, which might not suit everyone.
What do you need?
To excel in sales, you will need more than just technical knowledge. Strong communication skills, excellent networking abilities, time management, empathy, and problem-solving abilities are crucial for thriving in this field.
Further resources: Scientific Sales Webinar Series by Success Bio
FIELD APPLICATION SCIENTIST
Job titles: Application Scientist, Field Application Scientist
Differently from sales representatives, application scientists support customers in learning how to use their company’s products. Application scientists often hold a PhD in a relevant field but they are not themselves doing research any longer. They spend a lot of time traveling to/from customers and thus are usually quite independent and flexible in terms of schedule. It’s a great job to start in industry as it leaves the door open to many different career paths: application scientists will often transition to different roles within the company as their career progresses, like business development analysts or R&D scientists.
What do you need?
Similarly to academia, this job requires a combination of technical knowledge, predisposition for teaching and presentation skills, .
Further resources: What Is An Application Scientist And How To Become One by Cheeky Scientist
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Job titles: Patent Agent, Patent Specialist, Patent Engineer
Patents allow inventors, whether individuals or companies, to legally protect their inventions and prevent others from using them without permission. To obtain a patent, interested parties must submit a dossier to the relevant authorities, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office, demonstrating that their invention is new and inventive. Patent agents manage the entire patent application process from start to finish. To do so, patent agents often specialize in specific areas of science and they spend a lot of time reading the relevant scientific literature for the patents they manage. Plant biologists have the necessary technical skills to become patent agents for agriculture- and/or biotechnology-related products. However, they usually lack knowledge of patent law and need to acquire that via specific courses and examinations.
What do you need?
This position requires technical knowledge in the field of the invention being patented, legal knowledge of patent law, and excellent communication skills to effectively interact with all the parties involved.
Want to know more? Check out the interview below with Dr. Deborah Pohlmann!
Further resources: Patent Agent Job Simulator by Morrison & Foerster
REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Job titles: Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Regulatory Manager, Regulatory Specialist
For any product to be sold, it must follow specific rules that are established by the relevant authorities, like the Food and Drugs Administration in the USA or the European Medicines Agency in the European Union. Companies employ regulatory affairs specialists to ensure that their products are compliant with these laws. The nature of the job requires not only a deep understanding of the existing regulations, but also technical knowledge of the products. Thanks to their background, plant biologists can become regulatory affair specialists, particularly for life science products like agrochemicals or pharmaceuticals.
What do you need?
Attention to details, critical thinking, the ability to write clearly, and technical knowledge of the specific products being commercialized, are all qualities that regulatory affairs specialists possess.
Want to know more? Check out the interview below with Dr. David Carden!
PUBLIC SECTOR
SCIENCE POLICY
Job titles: Policy Analyst, Science Policy Advisor, Science Policy Specialist
The science policy field is a very important area in which regulatory and legislative decisions are made and that impact the way R&D is done in an organization and even in a nation. In that sense, people working in science policy are critical for decision-making. The main responsibilities for people working in science policy careers are to synthesize the available knowledge, evaluate its relevance and translate very complex science documents into a plain language that can be understood by decision makers who work in different organizations, such as the government. Their main tasks include reading and writing documents, meetings with decision-makers, analyzing cases and delivering solutions to problems that involve regulations, legislations, advocacy and diplomacy based on science. Some of the positions related to science policy are called Science Policy Advisor, Scientific Policy Analyst and Policy Analyst Advisor. A scientific policy professional’s work aims not only to look for regulations to current science but also to plan and propose solutions for scientific funding and R&D plans inside of an organization. Therefore, you can find a position not only in government but also in universities and private companies.
What do you need?
An interest in politics, legislation and diplomacy is key if you are interested in a role within science policy. A problem-solving mindset together with excellent communication skills will help you to thrive in positions related to policy.Want to know more? Visit Science Policy: A Guide to Policy Careers for Scientists
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Job titles: Technical Writer, Public Officer, Scientific Content Creator
If you have a PhD in plant biology, you likely spent a good deal of time writing papers, preparing presentations, and writing your dissertation. While some may struggle with writing, others find the process rewarding and enjoyable. If you belong to the latter category, you might want to consider a career as a professional writer. Professional writers are employed in various industries and perform many different roles. A major distinction should be made between science writers and communicators and technical writers. Science writers communicate science to the public, either as freelance journalists collaborating with newspapers and magazines or as employees for research institutions. They highlight specific facts and discoveries by producing articles or other media products (podcasts, videos, etc.) for publication. “Science writer” is a broad term that encompasses many different roles, including journal editors. Editors for scientific journals evaluate submitted manuscripts, select suitable reviewers, and make final decisions based on reviewers’ suggestions. While many scientific journals employ part-time editors who are also academics, some journals hire full-time professional editors, usually PhDs, to manage specific sections of the journal.
Technical writers, on the other hand, write technical documents such as user manuals, product guides, and technical reports for various industries, from medical devices to IT software.
What do you need?
Both types of writing benefit from a solid scientific background coupled with the ability to write clearly and concisely, qualities that plant biologists might possess. If you are considering transitioning to a career in professional writing, you should focus on building a portfolio of article pieces, or “clips”, to support your job applications.Further resources: Medical Writer HQ
A Beginner’s Guide to Science Writing by Cell Mentor
What Is a Technical Writer by Technical Writer HQ
How to Become a Science Writer by the Association of British Science Writers
SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT
Job titles: Scientific Consultant, R&D Consultant, Scientific Advisor
Helping an organization to solve their internal problems are among the responsibilities of a Scientific Consultant. Consultants often work for consulting firms. These organizations are engaged by companies across the pharma, biotech, and healthcare sectors to provide strategic solutions to complex business challenges. They translate scientific literature into solutions, providing recommendations based on solid and trusted evidence. Scientific consultants often hold a PhD and have extensive experience in problem-solving and managing of scientific projects. Previous industry experience is recommendable as business knowledge is crucial to excel in these jobs. Consulting roles often come with performance-based incentives, making it a rewarding career choice for result-oriented individuals who do not mind working overtime when necessary.
What do you need?
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial to succeed in a consulting role. Good communication skills and efficiency working in teams are also valuable. Previous experience in business and knowledge of business concepts and terminology are also desirable.
EXPLORING CAREERS OUTSIDE OF ACADEMIA: AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. DEBORAH POHLMANN AND DR. DAVID CARDEN
Dr. Deborah Pohlmann holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she worked on the epigenetic regulation in plants in the lab of Prof. Mary Gehring. Shortly after receiving her degree, she left academia and became a scientific analyst at the law firm Morrison Foerster. Since passing the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registration exam, she has become a patent agent for the same law firm, where she specializes in agriculture and gene editing related patents.
David works at Syngenta Biologicals, where he is the Global Regulatory Lead for biostimulants. He holds a degree in agricultural sciences from University College Dublin, Ireland, and a PhD in plant cell physiology from Rothamsted Research in the UK. As a researcher, David investigated the role of cytosolic Na+ levels in barley roots under salinity stress. After a postdoc at the University of Giessen in Germany, he started working as a product support specialist at Valagro. Today, David’s work is mainly focused on the regulatory aspects of biostimulants. His many years of experience in regulatory affairs for agrochemicals at the global level make him the perfect person to discuss a career in this field.
Carlo Pasini: How would you describe your work to those not familiar with it?
Deborah Pohlmann: My job involves helping people secure patents for their inventions. To obtain a patent, you need to show that your creation possesses unique features that make it new to the field. It also must be inventive or non-obvious, meaning it can’t be something that an expert in the field could easily come up with. In my role, I talk with inventors about their creations and translate their discoveries into a patent application, gathering the necessary evidence to demonstrate the above-mentioned qualities.
Once the application is submitted, it’s reviewed by patent examiners who decide whether the criteria are met and if the invention is worth patenting. At this step, my job is to argue the case with the examiners to obtain their approval.
David Carden: In very simple terms, my job is to make sure that a product developed by the company, whether biostimulants or fertilizers, satisfies the legal requirements for commercialization.
Whenever a company wants to sell a new product in a specific market (e.g., Europe, the USA, or India), the product must first be registered. To do this, the company submits a dossier to the relevant authorities, demonstrating that their product meets the specific regulations in place.
For example, for fertilizers to be sold as such, they must contain certain levels of nutrients; otherwise, the product cannot be labeled as a fertilizer. Additionally, there are limits on the levels of contaminants, such as heavy metals, and restrictions on the raw materials that can be used in manufacturing. All this information, and much more, is included in the dossiers prepared by regulatory affairs specialists.
However, dealing with authorities for the commercialization is just one step of the product development process. Before that, regulatory affairs specialists must coordinate with various teams within the company. During the conceptualization phase, they help the research team define the requirements and characteristics of the future product and provide continuous input from a regulatory perspective throughout the process. No company wants to invest in creating a product that cannot be sold because it is not compliant with the legal requirements.
Another often overlooked aspect of this job is advocacy. Regulatory experts representing the different stakeholders – for example governmental and non-governmental organizations and corporations – may collaborate in discussions pertaining to the authorization of products. These perspectives are important in suggesting ways to streamline rules, eliminate issues of interpretation, and to highlight changes that could help stakeholders steer production towards a more circular economy. Such dialogues are transparent and open – as is necessary to demonstrate the rigour of the consultation process both technically and politically.
Carlo: How has your background in plant science helped you on the job?
Deborah: To effectively argue in favor of a patent, you must have a deep understanding of the subject matter. You need to read the relevant scientific literature to explain why the invention is not obvious and what is innovative about it. I specialize in agriculture and genome editing related patents, including new crop varieties and new methods of improving crops. My background in plant science has given me the necessary technical knowledge for this field. Besides that, during my Ph.D., I honed my critical thinking and writing skills, which are essential for any patent agent.
David: To do this job, you need a solid technical knowledge of certain topics that are usually covered in a life science-related degree. In my case, it is essential to understand how chemicals impact plant health and performance, as well as the environmental risks associated with these chemicals. On top of that, a very important part of this job is reading and critically evaluating documents, and I think that scientists have an advantage when it comes to this. Also, doing a PhD taught me how to write and made it feel like a natural process. I often write documents for work, and I enjoy doing it, but many other people really struggle with that.
Carlo: What skills did you have to learn on the job?
Deborah: The most important skill in my work is communication. I need to maintain relationships with multiple stakeholders, including scientists, attorneys, and patent examiners, and ensure that all of them understand the patent application process. For me, people skills are now much more important than they were in academia. On top of that, of course, I also had to acquire a lot of legal knowledge concerning patent law and prosecution.
David: In terms of soft skills, I personally had to learn how to network with people and how to actively listen to others, whether they are colleagues within the company or stakeholders at an advocacy-related event. Then, of course, there are the technical skills: the legislation is constantly changing, and you need to keep up with it. It’s a process of constantly monitoring and evaluating the regulations, understanding how that affects the company and eventually contributing to changing them, if deemed necessary. You also need to stay up to date with the technological progress relating to your field and their legal implications, as your company might want to adopt such technologies.
Carlo: What does a typical day at work look like for you?
Deborah: There is a lot of variability in my daily work as I usually may handle 5 to 15 patent applications in a single day, each at a different stage of the process. For those in the early phases, I’ll be talking to the inventors or drafting the patent application itself, while for others, I might be drafting arguments to justify the patent.
A significant part of my job is also updating clients on the status of their applications. Additionally, I often have meetings with other patent agents around the world to ensure that the requirements for patents in different countries are also met.
David: Throughout my typical day, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world who need specific information regarding a product they are trying to commercialize in a certain market. I have meetings with other teams within the company to discuss the development of a new product or the rebranding of an already existing one, where I offer a regulatory perspective. And, of course, I also communicate with the authorities for the registration of a new product and keep up with the relevant documentation.
Carlo: Who would enjoy this kind of job?
Deborah: This job is well suited for people who enjoy a wide breadth of subjects and who like to constantly learn about new things, as all patented inventions are unique. There is a lot of writing involved, and you need to be very detail oriented. While drafting the documents involves certain formalities, the process is generally flexible and leaves space for one’s own creativity and interpretation.[PC3] [PDA4] I personally love this job because I am still involved in science. I get to talk to scientists, read papers, and always learn about new discoveries, frequently before the general public. However, I don’t have to deal with the frustrating aspects of science, like failed experiments and inconsistent results – although I do sometimes get to use the inventors’ negative data to show the patent examiner that the invention wasn’t obvious, or it wouldn’t have been so difficult to make it work!
David: This job enables you to make use of your technical knowledge, while also interacting with many different stakeholders. You need to acquire a lot of information and distill that for different people, adapting it depending on their role. It involves a lot of networking, traveling, and reading of technical documents. Regulatory affairs specialists help companies to develop and grow their business within the limits of law.
Carlo: What is your advice to someone with a background in plant science, who would like to start working in your field?
Deborah: Focus on your communication skills by getting involved in outreach activities for schools or the general public. Internships are a good way to start a career in this field and the first point of contact could be the technology transfer office of your institution. There are many different resources available to learn about the job. Morrison Foerster offers a patent law course for free through the Harvard Biotech Club and there is even a job simulator you can try to see if this is the right career for you.
David: Most of the training for this kind of position happens on the job, so my advice would be to simply apply for open positions or internships. Having a solid background in the life sciences should be enough to understand the technical aspects of the regulations.
RESOURCES TO START EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE CAREERS
- Ashley Ruba’s guide to industry jobs (https://ashleyruba.ck.page/careerguide )
- Cheeky scientist (https://cheekyscientist.com/ebooks/)
REFERENCES
McConnell, S. C., Westerman, E. L., Pierre, J. F., Heckler, E. J. & Schwartz, N. B. United States National Postdoc Survey results and the interaction of gender, career choice and mentor impact. eLife 7, e40189 (2018).
Ruba, A. Step 1: Career Exploration. https://ashleyruba.ck.page/careerguide (Accessed 21 July 2024)
Nova One Advisor. Biotechnology Market Report. Nova One Advisor. https://www.novaoneadvisor.com/report/biotechnology-market (Accessed: 21 July 2024)
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About the Authors
Carlo Pasini is a PhD student at ETH Zurich, and a 2024 Plantae Fellow. He studies the links between carbon metabolism and abiotic stresses, primarily focusing on guard cells. In his free time, Carlo enjoys reading, playing ice hockey and any kind of snow-related activity. You can find him on X: @Crl_Psn.
Isabel Pochet Pimentel is a PhD candidate at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and a 2024 Plantae Fellow. Her work focused on the characterization of important genes related to plant associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, using physiological and transcriptomic approaches. You can find her on X: @isabelpochet.
