Valentina Bianchi, PhD - Clinical Scientist Cell Therapy
Valentina Bianchi, PhD - Clinical scientist at Bristol-Myers Squibb
Where are you from and what is your educational background?
I’m Italian, I did my undergrad and master’s in medical biotechnology in Milan (Italy), followed by a PhD in Immunology at Cardiff University (Wales, UK).
Why did you decide to pursue a Post-doc journey?
I moved to Lausanne (Switzerland) in 2016 to start my postdoc at CHUV, because at the time (right after my PhD) I was still motivated and driven by academic translational research.
It is often said that the PhD is a marathon not a sprint race. What are your thoughts about it?
I would say it feels like a marathon of sprints! From short term deadlines (small projects, review papers, project presentations, etc) to long periods where results just don’t come as expected and that finish line feels very far away.
When did you decide that you no longer wanted to pursue an academic career?
Since picking my undergrad study, I was motivated to pursue an academic career in cancer immunotherapy. It’s only until the postdoc I started to feel this wasn’t the path for me anymore and was eager to explore different opportunities where I could still use my “science brain” and interest for novel immunotherapies.
When did you transition into industry?
I transitioned to clinical research in industry in summer 2021, after a 4-year postdoc and approx 2 years as a scientist in process development for cell therapies (CHUV-CTE).
What is a current position?
I am currently an Associate Clinical Scientist in Cell Therapy at Bristol Meyer Squibb (Boudry, Switzerland).
Is your job related to what you have done during your PhD/Post-doc?
It is related in the sense that the field/background is the same, that is cellular therapies in oncology. The day-to-day job, however, is VERY different than anything I have done before (both as an academic researcher and scientist in process development).
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Real-time follow-up of safety and efficacy data of new cell-therapies.
Understanding how clinical trials are designed and run, how clinical data is collected, recorded and analyzed.
Gaining knowledge of the drug development process and insight of requirements by different health authorities.
Interactions as a clinical scientist with different internal/external functions and sites around the world.
How has your work-life balance changed since transitioning to the industry?
I still work hard and there can be long days (especially when working with colleagues in the US), but overall, there is definitely more flexibility with ways of working and overtime is accounted for.
How did you adapt to the cultural and operational differences between academia and industry?
I won’t deny it was a cultural/environmental shock at first, starting from getting to know the corporate organization, governance bodies, internal functions. It was very stimulating though to embrace the global teamwork environment.
Were there any new skills or knowledge areas you had to develop for your role in the industry?
Several technical skills for clinical data review activities; getting familiar with the functions a clinical scientist interacts with and learning how global drug development works.
How difficult was it, to gain the required knowledge when you first started your job?
I was lucky enough to have a very supportive team of colleagues and line manager when I first joined the company; plus, there are several internal training and learning resources made available to new hires.
What help you before the transition?
Definitely lots of networking via LinkedIn, to understand different job descriptions and career paths. I specifically contacted people who did transition from academia to industry and asked insight into their experience. Workshops run by BSNL association in Lausanne helped me tailor my academic CV to industry applications.
According to you which are the personal/soft skills that are mostly needed to undergo a successful transition into industry?
I would probably pick flexibility, teamwork, and communication. Self-promotion and negotiating skills are also quite important at all levels - personally I am still learning these two!
What advice made the difference in your professional development?
Several friends who have left academia before me, immediately pointed out that mobility is so much higher in industry. This thought took the pressure off at the time I was transitioning; I told myself, I will give this job a try, and if it’s not a fit I can always look for a better match. Luckily as of today I am really happy with my current position; but it is both reassuring and stimulating to know that internal and external mobility options are possible in the field.
What aspects of your academic studies helped you during your transition in industry?
Multitasking and knowing how/what to prioritize; sense of urgency; public speaking and ppt presentations; presenting data to senior managers; working cross functionally.
Did you do one or multiple internship(s), traineeship(s), BNF project(s), in the private sector after your Postdoc before being hired?
No, I was lucky enough to be employed almost straight away.
Which advice would you give to PhDs and postdocs who are willing to look for opportunities outside research academia or in industry?
Be patient and persistent; don’t be afraid of getting out of the academic zone (which we know for its pros and cons) - there are loads of rewarding and stimulating different career paths out there which are fitted for someone with a PhD/postdoc.
If you could go back, would you change anything about your career path?
Overall, I am happy with my decisions; I could argue I could have explored a career path in clinical research earlier on, by cutting down my post-doc years; but at that time I wouldn’t have been ready to “leave the bench” completely.
What can I wish you for the next coming years?
Keep learning and developing in my new role!
Valentina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-bianchi/
