r&d to paper pusher ? career advice please

[Seppala]

I consider this forum one of the smartest places on the internet, so it makes sense to ask for advice here. I used to have another account, but I'm using a new one because of privacy reasons. My background is mol.biology, I've been working both in public research and in biotech. Currently doing masters degree to specialize more on crop protection. Working in a Big Name agricultural company, in research & development. Got lucky with this position, because it connected my previous biotech experience to the current degree. However, I am too old and unmotivated to do a phd and I see no future for myself in research (and development). In general, I enjoy the work, but I have some back issues which are aggravated by the static positions required in the labs, like pipetting, or when working in the laminar flow chamber... I did try many solutions, but let's just say that my back is not having it anymore. I am looking to move to a more of a paper pusher position. Ideally, I would like to be able to use my research knowledge a little bit and I'm looking for a position that is more introvert-friendly. Has anybody made a similar switch ? Any ideas or books to read, on how to trade the white coat for office attire ? So far I'm thinking things related to Intellectual Property, Regulatory Affairs, etc. I have the ability to read long, boring documents for longer time than the average person. I had a one time gig with cosmetics company, where I researched the ingredient they wanted to use in scientific databases and wrote them a short review, I enjoyed it a lot.

(For some more background), my biotech job was in a poor European country which I am from, and I made less than 7000EUR/year for a mid-level position. I felt that the company was going downhill and found my way to escape by applying for a scholarship in richer, western European countries. It was a good call, because the company went bankrupt and I feel that now I am in a much better position for a job market. My degree will be fancy crop protection degree, with r&d experience. I also gained B1 in French. I feel that us Europeans need to be mobile, because the economies here are more unstable and I met people who have moved through 3 or more countries for jobs/gigs. In an ideal situation, I would like to gain experience /credibility in some paper-pusher position and later be able to freelance it/work remotely while back in my home country. The idea is - low cost of living in home country while earning a "western salary", I know many examples of IT people that do it. Thanks to anybody who reads/responds.

[DutchGirl]

Any possibility to go into quality control / quality assurance? And I don't have personal experience with that, but you might want to look around - I assume there may still be some pipetting involved (to do quality tests), but it will be more computer-based.

[rube]

Not sure for your current field, but QA in my field (consumer products) is about mostly 100% paper/desk work.

[suomalainen]

If you were in the US and not too old and unmotivated to put up with 3 years of law school, maybe do that to become an IP lawyer. Dunno how it works on the continent tho. And generally I always advise people AWAY from the law.

More generally, can you have a conversation with your boss? Either frame it as an accomodation issue (my back hurts, is there anything we can do to address that?). In the US we have a law that basically requires accomodationa for disabilities to be made. I’d be surprised if western European countries didn’t have something similar. The other thing you could try is to ask about “career development”. Talk about how you’d like to move into X position (management or whatever) and how you could go about earning that promotion. YMMV at your company but mine is big on that. Take charge of your career and all that.

Good luck

[Seppala]

Thanks for your responses, I'm researching all of your suggestions.

Yes to 'taking charge of your career'! My days in research are numbered anyway (it was not a permanent contract), so I doubt they would want to accomodate the working conditions as I'm not a permanent staff. I'm planning a meeting with the HR. I just wanted to have some sort of idea of the possible areas where to migrate and get a feel if I would like it or not, to have a bit of a backbone to HR suggestions. For example, I think would hate sales.

suomalainen, so why in this case INTO the law? In Europe, you're supposed to work as a trainee IP attorney while studying for qualification exams, and in real terms, people take minimum 3 years, but sometimes 4 - 6 years. For some strange reason, learning law seems more appealing than a phd.

[suomalainen]

suomalainen, so why in this case INTO the law?

I am looking to move to a more of a paper pusher position... I'm looking for a position that is more introvert-friendly...I'm thinking things related to Intellectual Property, Regulatory Affairs, etc. I have the ability to read long, boring documents for longer time than the average person.

That basically describes what a typical lawyer is/does. I've given advice to "young people" (kids of colleagues) who have come in to mock interview and I always tell them: "Only go to law school if you want to be a lawyer or if your parents are rich and will pay for law school. It will not give you 'options', which is the reason most often cited for going to law school."

Fair warning: I sit and read and type all day. Sometimes I talk on the phone. My back hurts from all the sitting. I pay close attention every time a news article flashes "sitting is killing you" and I die a little inside.

[Seppala]

Yes, sitting is almost unavoidable! However, one might ask for standing desk, bring in stability ball and switch positions. I get up to move for no reason and take the stairs (best result if you look like you're late to a meeting). It's mostly the "hunched over scientist" position that I'm having trouble with, and I've been working with physical therapists on how to perform these movements correctly... But you are supposed to be hunched over a sample in some of the tests, there's no way around it, and then the back suffers. I have scoliosis so I'm extra sensitive to this. My other reason is that life sciences job market appear to be over-saturated, they're hiring phd's to basically push a button. I guess I'm just sick of the bench.

If anybody is in a similar boat, here is what I have found so far:

Data science (supposedly transferable skills from academia)
Quality control/assurance/process engineering
Intellectual property attorney/patent agent
Regulatory affairs/compliance specialist
Technical writer/editor
...

[vexed87]

My other reason is that life sciences job market appear to be over-saturated, they're hiring phd's to basically push a button. I guess I'm just sick of the bench.
...

This is exactly why I didn't go into lab work. I studied the biosciences but ended up working in various paper pushing positions in clinical research, I won't say exactly what and where, because it might get really easy to identify me via online profiles, but I now work in an R&D role, in a hospital, coordinating research projects. I started out fresh from graduation temping in part time (pro rata £16,000) roles, but now I'm earning £40k, I only applied half my brain in those early roles, but 4 years on I landed a fairly decent job, with responsibility, management of a small team, and project management type position. My current job doesn't require much travel, or a car. It's not the most interesting work, but it's easy, reasonable hours, 8.30-4.30, I've got energy to study and do ERE related stuff in the evenings, which is doubly important now my baby girl has arrived. I earn a decent wage and plenty enough to retire early. Finding remote working roles is harder, but you could do it in my niche too, if you find the right commercial company. Clinical research associate, trial monitoring, QA, data quality management etc.

Good luck in finding something right for you, I would only say, don't consider returning to study again unless there is a specific role you really have to get, plenty of jobs you could apply to with your skill set, especially if you are willing to work your way up.

[Seppala]

I do apologize for resurrecting this old thread. However, I thought it would be interesting to give an update.

It took me exactly a year to find a position and I had to be willing to relocate [and sell out my soul for one of the biggest American corporations]. I'm now in product registrations and there are other ex lab rats / scientists/ analysts that escaped the lab for a paper pusher position.

I have to admit, the corporate dystopia is more strongly felt when working in the office compared to the lab. However, I forgot to mention in my original post, that in my last workplace, I saw how science departments were getting more automated, requiring only one person to be able to push the button and the robots doing all the pipetting.

[suomalainen]

Congrats. Try to keep the paper away from your wrists.

Next level is to sell a little more of your soul and move into middle management. It's the American Way!