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Job Title: Senior Scientist
Type of Company: My company is a privately-held biotechnology company that is developing a new generation of human disease diagnostic tests.
Education: Ph.D., Molecular Biology, Boston College
Previous Experience: I started as a research associate for a principal investigator at the National Institutes of Health before enrolling in a Ph.D. program. I then worked as a staff scientist in a local biotechnology company.
Job Tasks: As a senior scientist and research group leader, my primary responsibility is to oversee a group of researchers who are working on the development of a human disease diagnostic assay. We have group meetings once a week so everyone in the group has a chance to present his data, to discuss internal issues and solve technical problems. Major responsibilities for each individual are usually assigned in the meeting. E very morning, I make myself available so the group members can ask daily questions. If nothing else intervenes, I help to analyze research data generated by the group members. In the afternoon and sometimes at night, I read newly-published articles to keep myself on top of the literature. Sometimes, I perform my own experiments on the bench. Once a month, I report research progress in a company’s Staff meeting.
I also authorize purchasing orders of laboratory equipment, reagents and tools. Once a year, I have a chance to attend national conferences in related fields and either present our own research data or meet with other scientists.
Best and Worst Parts of the Job: The best part of the job is knowing that I'm doing something no one else has ever done, and that the result, if successful, will save human lives. I also have opportunities to meet the top scientists in the world.
However, it is challenging and frustrating sometimes. Research does not go smoothly all the time and you have to do a lot of troubleshooting.
Job Tips: It is very helpful to be good at statistics. So take statistics courses, even if you don't like it. You need to pay close attention to details in order to be a good scientist. Interpersonal skills are very important too. You also can not always trust other people’s results and data. Always try to find ways to check if your group members are doing the right things.
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