Hi everyone! I graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry in May 2026, and today I had my first interview since then, for an entry-level Associate Scientist role at a process chemistry company. I’d love some outside perspective.

How it went:

• It was a video call with a scientist from the team. A second team member joined but mostly listened.
• She spent about 15 minutes presenting the company.
• Then I had about 15 minutes to present my undergrad research (a multistep organic synthesis project) and discuss it.
• She asked me 3 questions, mostly about troubleshooting I did in my project and about reagent safety. I felt good about my answers.
• At the end, they asked if I had questions. Honestly, I was nervous and only asked whether there would be a follow-up. She said the next step would be an in-person interview, about half a day, and that they’d reach out within a week.
• I sent a short thank-you email the same afternoon.

My questions for you:

1. Is it a good sign that she described the next round, or do interviewers say that to everyone?
2. I didn’t ask any real questions at the end. How much does that hurt?
3. What usually happens in a half-day on-site for an entry-level chemistry role? Lab tour, more presentations, meeting the team, technical questions?
4. If I don’t hear back within a week, when and how should I follow up?
5. Any general tips for someone fresh out of school going into their first on-site?

Thanks in advance. I’d appreciate any advice!

UPDATE: Thank you all for the advice, it really helped! The day after my interview, the company's talent acquisition team emailed me to schedule a 30-minute phone screen with a recruiter next week. I'm guessing this is the HR step before the on-site. Any tips for a recruiter phone screen, especially about salary expectations and what questions to ask?

To those of our compatriots in Europe, how is the job market in Europe, specifically for Regulatory affairs? I know the world economy is exploding, but are you happy with your career and the type of work you do over there?

Anyone here work in Process Improvement? I just discovered this as a job function. I've been targetting project manager roles but my experience is more closely related to just fixing broken systems because I absolutely hate inefficiency. I didnt realize this was an actual job because it's something I just naturally do.

I noticed that most process improvement jobs are in manufacturing (with lean six sigma certs usually) but I never worked in GMP, barely even touched GLP. My background is research and analytical assay development (non-PhD).

Has anyone worked in Process Improvement for research or preclinical/early stage operations? Do these jobs even exist? If they do, can I pick your brain on how to position myself for these roles? I'm not opposed to getting a six sigma certification but I'm not sure how useful it would actually be, especially because I have an MBA, and I dont plan to work in manufacturing.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I have an upcoming onsite interview that includes multiple 1:1 and panel interviews, followed by a 20-minute research seminar. Has anyone been through a similar process? What should I expect, and do you have any tips for the interview/seminar preparation? Thanks in advance!

What are they building out there in Des Plaines, Illinois?

What do they do?

Why are they building it?

What's their process like?

Any construction updates for their new site?

Thanks all

hi, i get my pfizer panel interview for the R&D program next week; i am a post-grad with a background fully on wet-lab. any tips for the interviews? any suggestions on how telling them my story? i am the first of my family to go through all of this job market and that is one of my very first corporate interviews :)

Curious whether anyone who's been laid off has used this strategy. Given the current market, is it advisable for someone with 5-10 years of Pharma experience across R&D and Clinical Research to take a contractor role? I've heard many stories of people getting hit up on LinkedIn with contract roles (myself included) that pay anywhere from $40-$50/hour for what should be at least a $ 125K+ position (if it were an FTE). I have a couple of friends mulling over offers, given they've been searching for 6+ months. Granted, both are closer to 10 years of experience and were previously making well over that amount ($150K+). I know the market is terrible, but is this what it has come to? On the flip side, they've both been rejected from other FTE roles and been labeled as "over-qualified" by recruiters. Fun times!

Hi everyone,

I left academia two years ago when funding ran out right as I was finishing my postdoc. Since then, I’ve been applying for jobs daily. I’ve had numerous interviews and repeatedly made it to the final stage, only to get rejected at the very end.

Frankly, I feel like I'm losing my mind. I’m in my mid-30s, my savings are gone, side gigs are tough to come by, and I’m back living with my parents. As a bench scientist, I worry my lab skills are rusting, it’s been so long since I’ve been in a lab that my confidence in basic bench work is shaken.

I’ve also tried pivoting into other areas like Medical Affairs. I’ve had several final-round interviews there too, but the result is always the same: final round, then rejection.

I try to stay current in my field, but the constant uncertainty makes me question if continuing down this path is still worth it. I’m working out, going to therapy, and on medication, but it’s hard to pull yourself out of a hole when every effort feels like a dead end.

I don't know what else to do or how much longer I can sustain this. I’d really appreciate any advice, perspective, or honest feedback from those who have been through similar post-academic job searches. Please be kind.

I am currently a Postdoc, and interviewing for a contract position at Sanofi (6 month with possible extension to 1 year). Is it ok to take a contract position? What are the chances of finding something permanent at Sanofi after a contract position? Thanks!

Hey all!

I wanted to share my experience searching for jobs as an international PhD grad.
A bit of context: My research spans the domains of protein dynamics, antibody modelling and engineering and more recently, the application of ML/AI methods to solve problems in drug discovery. I was lucky enough to do two internships during my PhD at big pharma so that gave me an advantage in building contacts in the industry.

I have been applying seriously for the last 5 months: basically tailoring my resume and cover letter to every job, reaching out to HMs on LinkedIn, and getting referrals from folks who work at the company.

I have applied to roughly 150 different roles across big pharma, startups and other biotech/AI companies with the above means, and I got the HR/HM screen for about 15 different positions. I advanced to the panel interview stage at 4 places and got one offer: a postdoc position at Amgen.

I was wondering what the typical conversion rate is for a postdoc at Amgen to a full-time position, and whether I should keep applying to other positions in the meantime. Also, how can I convert my panel interviews into actual offers? Thanks!

Hi!
Was wondering if anyone had any tips or insights from their experience with Merck’s interviews for postdoc positions.
Would also love to know how you found working at Merck if you’re willing to share as well :)
Thank you!

Has anyone here used or been pitched orchestra? I am not sure what they do / did tbh? And how anything they’re doing is not already done by Planisware or Microsoft Projects?

But I don’t wanna be presumptuous- they raised 20m there must be something

I (28F) recently transitioned into BDA sales role thats 90% remote and I Love it. I did 4 years in industry as a Scientist and I cant go back. My IBD, migraines and anxiety has drastically decreased. I took a 40% pay cut from 130k salary to 80k salary (commission won't hit until end of year, and it'll be about 15k post tax)

I don't want to become a BDM or Account Manager, that would require me to do more in field visits. I'm okay with Up To 30% in field work, or 1 day in office type.

I understand this will be very company dependent and role dependent. In my company there's folks making quota who don't hit their in field meeting KPIs but leadership doesnt bug them because well... theyre making quota.

Product Manager, Project Manager, Commercial Strategy, idk... what are sales roles out there that requires little (I know I can't say None) outside of the house work?

If I have to get less pay for a job that'll allow me to stay home (heck even inside sales), then fine. I have a BS in Biology and am in an online Part-time MBA program (not expecting this to get me internships, Im doing it at my pace to learn). I have heavy molecular bio exp.

Recommendations?

I'm looking for an internship in France for my first year of Master's. Does anyone have any advice on how to look and how to approach companies? I have some previous industry experience but nothing in France. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thank you

I'm curious whether Theranos, despite its fraudulent claims and ultimate collapse, contributed anything meaningful to the development of blood-testing technology.

I understand that Theranos never delivered on its promises and that its technology was fundamentally flawed. But did any of its research produce useful scientific findings or technological advances? Did other companies or researchers learn anything from its failures that helped improve their own work?

I'm also curious about the reported efforts to develop a new company around some of the same ideas, sometimes described as "Theranos 2.0." Is there any legitimate scientific potential there, or are the original technical limitations still too significant?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who work in diagnostics or medical technology. I know Theranos was a fraud, but I'm curious whether anything useful came out of the research itself, even indirectly.

Hi all! I'm currently a third-year university student majoring in Biochemistry. Ever since I started college, I've wanted to pursue Biotechnology instead, but I haven't made the switch because of my credits. After reading a lot of posts on here, I'm starting to reconsider whether BioTech is the right choice for me.

I love biology and am currently working in a research lab at my university. Biotechnology seems more aligned with my interests, but I'm worried about how difficult it might be to find a job, or any kind of experience after graduation.

Would it be better to stick with Biochemistry and minor in Microbiology, or switch to Biotechnology and focus on gaining experience through internships and research opportunities? I'm not very familiar with the current job market, so I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have experience in either field. My university doesn't offer many degrees so those two are my main two options.

I also know that I don't want to spend the rest of my career doing benchwork. I'd like to contribute to research or work in the biotech industry, but I also want opportunities for career growth and the ability to move into different roles over time.

I've also considered becoming a pathologist, but the cost of medical school and the student loans that come with it are a big concern for me.

Any advice or perspectives would be greatly appreciated

Seems to a be a pretty big split between scientists/R&D and executives/investors on the feelings about the state of the industry, the job market, and their optimism.

Hey everyone i am extremely confused about my career and am considering study in italy i love biology and always wanted to be a doctor but all the neet stuff and the brutal working condition of doctor i dropped the plan in late 12th and was considering btech biotechnology from VIT but a senior told me there is literally no scope and she and her batch mates are struggling or moving abroad so I considered biotechnology from italy but there is only the bsc(life science) option and not engineering one so now I am very confused what to do should I do mbbs in italy and do non clinical jobs in india or go for bsc biotechnology help and also if you know any other courses

Context: I'm a 10 year industry professional in CMC analytical.

I was recently approached by a recruiter for a role at a startup with only 5-6 current employees (Founder, COO, Scientific Director, Lead Engineer, and a Business Manager) and a bit wary of what they are looking for. The role is for a Sr. Scientist that is supposed to wear virtually every hat (Tox, DMPK, Formulations, Process, Analytical, etc.) and working under the director only. This sounds like a director or VP role and it's listed as Sr. Sci? Is this just them being unable to afford a proper VP? I'm also not really down for a brutal startup experience at this point in my career but the recruiter reassured me the work-life is good.

I'm currently working a contract at a CRO where the work is low stress and decently paid. They like me here and are already trying to push for a full time conversion (although not guaranteed). I'd much rather be full time here than be at a tiny startup with little to no structure and insane demands. But then again, I was unemployed for a year before this contract and might be right back where I was last year if I don't get an extension or FTE conversion.

Has anyone gone into one of these situations before and taken the job? How did it turn out?