For a Ph.D. trained in molecular biology, where does the time allocation shift from grant writing (60%) to assay development?
In industry research roles, such as pharmaceuticals or biotech
Career trajectory and daily focus vary significantly between academic and industry settings for researchers with similar fundamental training. In academic research, time is often heavily dedicated to securing funding through grant writing (up to 60% mentioned) and general lab management to maintain independence. In contrast, industry roles, particularly within pharmaceutical or biotechnology firms focused on product development, prioritize deliverables tied to commercial timelines. Consequently, the time allocation shifts away from pure grant pursuit toward more applied activities like assay development and adherence to in-house project milestones related to drug or device creation.
