Paulina Biniecka, PhD - Associate Director

Paulina Biniecka, PhD - Associate Director at Floratek Pharma

Where are you from and what is your educational background? Where did you study?

I’m originally from Warsaw, Poland, where I completed my Bachelor’s degree at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Later, I moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, for my Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. During my Master's, I spent 1 year in Vancouver, Canada, working on my Master's Thesis project, which focused on cancer research. And I completed my PhD in Life Sciences at the University of Lausanne.

Why did you decide to pursue the PhD/Post-doc journey?

Since I started working in the lab and gaining more experience, my interests and appetite to learn and discover more also grew. Being an ambitious person, pursuing a PhD seemed like a natural and obvious choice to me.

It is often said that the PhD is a marathon, not a sprint race. What are your thoughts about it?

It certainly is a marathon, but one can only truly see it after completing it. During my PhD, I focused on each task at hand and the next steps. While I was aware it would be a long journey, thinking of it as a "marathon" could be overwhelming at the beginning. I always suggest taking it step by step as much as possible.

When did you decide that you didn’t want to pursue an academic career? Was it before starting your PhD journey or during your PhD studies (at the start, mid, at the end, or after)?

Already before starting my PhD and during the beginning of it, I envisioned myself working in a Research Institute rather than becoming a Professor. However, during my PhD journey, I remained open. In the last year, I started exploring other options and quickly realized that Lausanne, where I am located, has a lot to offer, especially in the biotech and pharma fields. Therefore, I directed my efforts towards searching for industry jobs.

When did you transition into industry?

I transitioned into industry immediately after completing my PhD.

What is your current position? What were your previous job(s) (if this is not your first job in the private sector)?

Currently, I’m an Associate Director at a pharmaceutical company, responsible for our pre-clinical development. This is my first job in the private sector.

Is your job related to what you have done during your PhD/Post-doc?

Yes, it is related. Floratek’s main focus is on cancer research, which aligns with my studies since my Bachelor's. While I'm no longer performing experiments in the lab, I manage all the work surrounding it.

What aspects do you like the most about your job?

I enjoy the diversity in my job. I interact with many people and projects, discussing research ideas and science both internally and with our collaborators. I value the learning opportunities and how much I’ve grown on the job. Additionally, I appreciate the flexibility and dynamics of our small team, which allows us to move forward much faster.

How has your work-life balance changed since moving to industry?

It has significantly changed, as I now work fully from home, which allows me to organize my days (almost!) as I want. However, the most significant change has been in my mindset. I took my PhD too personally, which led to many disappointments and struggles. Now, I focus on doing my best at my job in a supportive environment where my growth in new directions is encouraged.

How did you adapt to the cultural and operational differences between academia and industry?

This is a very important aspect! Due to the nature of small-sized companies, where a limited number of people handle a wide range of different tasks, I had to quickly transition from a PhD student working in a lab to a person responsible for various management roles (including other people, experiments, data, operations, etc.). Despite the initial fear, I made an effort to embrace all the opportunities, and I found the experience of learning new things very exciting. They say, "Feel the fear and do it anyway," and I found this to be very true in my case. By confronting the challenges, I've actually gained a lot of confidence.

Were there any new skills or knowledge areas you had to develop for your role in the industry?

Yes, I had to further develop my interpersonal skills. In my role, I interact with various individuals, not just scientists, so I focused on improving my ability to present during meetings and communicate effectively, even when faced with uncertainty. Additionally, I've been learning about corporate language and methodology.

How difficult was it to gain the required knowledge when you first started your job(s)?

It wasn't difficult for me because I already had a solid foundation in scientific knowledge from my studies. As for the business aspects, I've been learning on the job with guidance.

What was your experience concerning the transition into industry? What were some of the challenges you faced during your transition?

The biggest challenge for me was the job application process. Many positions considered me overqualified due to my PhD, which was frustrating. Tailoring my CV for each job and preparing for interviews were lengthy and daunting tasks. Interviewing in itself is a skill; I encountered some difficulties. I quickly realized the importance of practicing responses and persevering through rejections.

What helped you before the transition (career events, workshops, contacting people on LinkedIn, friends)?

I attended all the events possible! I quickly realized that we are all in the same boat, and talking to others in similar situations really helps! I also spoke with friends already in the industry to understand the corporate way of thinking better.

According to you, which are the personal/soft skills that are mostly needed to undergo a successful transition into industry?

I would say being open, communicative, and adaptable are crucial. Especially when transitioning from the lab to office work, interactions may be less scientific, requiring the ability to present information in a way that's accessible to the general public. Flexibility is also essential, as research projects in industry often move quickly and may require sudden changes, driven by financial considerations rather than scientific interests.

In your case, which personal/soft skills helped you during your transition into industry?

I believe it was my openness, positive attitude, and persistence. Once I worked up the courage, I proactively engaged with people, submitted unsolicited applications, and continually looked for ways to enhance my CV and better prepare for interviews. Reflecting on my personal PhD experience, I identified aspects applicable to industry. For example, I realized I prefer short-term projects and a dynamic environment. Additionally, a valuable asset from my life was my experience of living in different countries and moving around, which made me easily adaptable. One can indeed find many examples like that from their lives, which will help during interviews.

What advice made the difference in your professional development?

A friend advised me to be patient and to be myself during interviews. Reminding myself that I also interview potential employers helped me approach interviews with confidence and authenticity.

What aspects of your academic studies helped you during your transition into industry (PPT presentation, public speaking, teaching, scientific project management, teamwork, multitasking, etc.)?

I emphasized all the soft skills developed during my PhD, such as scientific communication, analytical and critical thinking, data analysis, project planning and management, being innovative, multitasking, finding solutions, being independent and self-organized also managing diverse tasks, teamwork, time management, etc. During interviews, providing real-life examples helped me demonstrate how these skills are applicable in an industry setting.

It is also said that networking plays an important role in transitioning into industry. Was it the case for you?

I believe networking indeed plays an important role. For instance, I secured a job interview by approaching individuals at a career fair, and they remembered me afterward. Engaging with more people and making connections helps to increase your visibility. However, I ultimately obtained my job through a LinkedIn application, completely unrelated to any networking event.

Did you do one or multiple internships, traineeships, BNF projects, in the private sector after your PhD studies or Postdoc before being hired for a more “permanent” job in this sector? If yes, was it via the unemployment program?

No.

Which advice would you give to PhDs and postdocs who are willing to look for opportunities outside research academia or in industry?

Be persistent! The job search process can be draining, and it's easy to feel demotivated after each rejection. However, there's a place for each of us, especially those who have been through a PhD journey, I believe we hold a special set of skills. It's crucial to have confidence and effectively highlight our skills when transitioning to different fields in the industry. Additionally, starting with a clear vision of your goals can be incredibly helpful. While it may not be easy, I initially felt overwhelmed and searched in various directions. Job searching is a learning process; by the end of it, I felt more confident, which likely contributed to my success in interviews and ultimately securing a position.

If you could go back, would you change anything about your career path?

No, I wouldn't change a thing. While I believe a PhD is not necessary for success in a professional career, I chose to pursue one to challenge myself and because I truly enjoyed learning about science and the lab work at the beginning of my journey. By the end of it, I looked at it as a valuable learning opportunity, from which I gained all the soft skills that can be applied to industry.

What can I wish you for the coming years?

To stay courageous and open-minded!

Paulina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulina-biniecka-555058148/