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There are many career paths for which your PhD will prepare you.

There is the “traditional” path of academia in which you have your own laboratory with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and some teaching duties. Or, there is the academia path that allows you to spend the majority of your time teaching with only limited time available for research.

There are the industrial positions to consider. These not only include the pharmaceutical companies but also biotech companies.

Government jobs include basic research, applied research, and regulatory positions.

Other opportunities can include consulting jobs, positions in science journalism, jobs with non-profit organizations or science museums, or patent work through law firms. 

Here are some articles and web sites that will give you information on all those various careers.*

General
Academia
          Research
          Teaching
          Other
Industry/Biotech
Government
Other

General Links About Academic Jobs
The Chronicle of Higher Education
(has links to many academic job sites)

The Drug Discovery Process: Opportunities for Physiologists
APS Career Opportunities in Physiology 2003 symposium

Chronicle Careers
The Chronicle of Higher Education

Changing Career Paths in Science and Engineering
Commission of Professionals in Science and Technology

NIH Videocasts
Scientific Careers
Demystifying Medicine: Career Opportunities
   May 2, 2006
   May 25, 2004
   May 27, 2003  

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS

Nonacademic Careers for Physiologists
Lee A. Rosen, Division of Research Grants, NIH  
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

More Life Sciences Resources
Nature Jobs: Life Sciences Channel 

Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological and Medical Scientists
US Dept. of Labor  

Off the Bench: Career Options for Scientists
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

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Articles
Careers in Academia: An Overview
Journal of Young Investigators Science Career Center

Demystifying Medicine - Finale: Symposium on Career Opportunities for PhD Postdocs
NIH Videocast (translational research opportunities)
May 2006

Math and Biology: Careers at the Interface
Series of articles by people in careers meshing math and biology
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Feb. 2004

Governments Recruit US Scientists for Academic Research
Silvia Sanides, The Scientist (subscription required)
22 Sept. 2003

Demystifying Medicine - Finale: Futures in Biomedical Research for PhDs
NIH Videocast (clinical research opportunities)
May 2003

Multidisciplinary Resources
Series of articles by people in multi-disciplinary science careers
ScienceCareers.org
Jan. 2003

Opportunities in Academia
David G.L. Van Wylen, SUNY Buffalo and St. Olaf College
The Physiologist 45(5): 450, 2002

Going from the Pharmaceutical Industry to Academia
David M. Pollock, Medical College of Georgia
The Physiologist 42(5): 323, 1999
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

Professor, Research Emphasis
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Small-Scale Science
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Tomorrow’s Professor: Preparing for Academic Careers in Science and Engineering
Richard M. Reis, Stanford University 

Web Sites
Chronicle Careers
The Chronicle of Higher Education

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS

The Scientist
(subscription required)

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Articles 

K-12
Careers in Teaching: An Overview
Journal of Young Investigators Science Career Center

For Scientists Considering K-12 Teaching
Carnegie Institution

Attracting PhDs to K-12 Education: A Demonstration Program for Science, Mathematics, and Technology
National Academy of Science

Teaching Science in High School (Chapter 2)
In: Career Advice for Life Scientists
American Society for Cell Biology

Undergraduate
Scientific Careers Series in the New Millennium: Teaching
NIH Videocast
January 2003

How to Get a Teaching Job at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (pdf file)
A. Malcolm Campbell, Davidson College
American Society for Cell Biology

Undergraduate Teaching Careers
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Careers in Physiology at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions
David S. Bruce
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

Teaching at an Undergraduate Campus
Mike Woller, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The Physiologist 41(6): 425, 1998
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

University
Careers in Teaching: An Overview
Journal of Young Investigators Science Career Center

Teaching 101: Getting By
Tara Kuther, ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
March 2003

Scientific Careers Series in the New Millennium: Teaching
NIH Videocast
January 2003

From Bench Top to Blackboard: Resources for Making the Transition
Series of articles by scientists who became teachers
ScienceCareers.org
July 2002

Career Opportunities in Physiology: Opportunities in Academia
David G.L. Van Wylen, SUNY Buffalo and St. Olaf College
The Physiologist 45(5): 450, 2002

Teaching to Learn
Erica P. Johnson, The Scientist (subscription required)
2 Sept. 2002

Web Sites
Career Network: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s
The Chronicle of Higher Education

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS

The Scientist
(subscription required)

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Articles 
Scientists Serving Science
Series of articles by people with careers in technology research
ScienceCareers.org
April 2003

Alternative Career Routes in the Ivory Tower
Series of articles by people in alternate academic careers
ScienceCareers.org
April 2004

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Industry

Articles
Careers in Industrial Science: An Overview
Journal of Young Investigators Science Career Center

Drug Discovery Careers -- Heavy Demands, Expanding Opportunities
Series of articles by people in drug discovery careers
ScienceCareers.org
March 2004

The Pleasures and Perils of Scientists in Industry
Paula Park et al., The Scientist (subscription required)
16 June 2003

The Scientist at Work in Big Pharma
Robert Calandra, The Scientist (subscription required)
27 Jan. 2003

A Winter of Discontent for Industry Scientists
Susan Warner, The Scientist (subscription required)
13 Jan. 2003

The Drug Discovery Process: Opportunities for Physiologists
APS Career Opportunities in Physiology symposium
April 2003

Career Opportunities in Physiology: A Physiologist in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Christine G. Schnackenberg, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
The Physiologist 45(5): 453, 2002

Collaborating With Industry: The Rules of the Game
Symposium organized by Glenn Reinhart, Abbott Laboratories
The Physiologist 44(5): 291, 2001

Life Science Research: What is Industry Looking For? J. A. Keiser, Pfizer

Initiating the Collaboration: From First Contact to Contract, R. Penhallow, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Working with Your Technology Transfer Office: An Insider’s Perspective, Mark Bloom, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Strategies for Successful University Collaborations: One Company’s Perspective, Carol H. Stephens, Eli Lilly

Leaving the Bench for a Corporate Perch
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Making the Transition Between Academia and Industry
Nansie A. McHugh, Schering-Plough  
The Physiologist 44(5): 300, 2001

Research Careers in Industry
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Careers in Technology Transfer
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Science in the Name of Beauty: Summer Internships Give Insight Into the Scientific Research Behind Cosmetics
Beth Reger, Journal of Young Investigators

The Select Biotech: How to Choose
Erica P. Johnson, The Scientist (subscription required)
28 Oct. 2002

A Transition from NIH Postdoctoral Fellow to Industry
Nicholas S. Gantenberg, The Procter and Gamble Company
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

Web Sites
Careers: Large Company vs. Biotech Startup?
Bio.com Career Center’s Career Guide

Nature Jobs: Life Sciences Channel

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS   

The Scientist
(subscription required)

Eli Lilly and Company

Genentech, Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline

Merck

Monsanto

Novartis

Pfizer Inc.

Procter & Gamble (also general courses on job hunting and career information)

Schering-Plough

Biotech

Bully for Biotech
Jim Kling, ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Sept. 2003

Life in Biotech
Jim Kling, ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Sept. 2003

Piercing the Biotech Barrier
Karen Kreeger, The Scientist (subscription required)
8 Sept. 2003

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Articles
Government Careers: An Overview
Journal of Young Investigators Science Career Center

Uniformed Scientists Do Unique Work
Bob Calandra, The Scientist (subscription required)
3 Nov. 2003

Working in a Government Lab
Mary Beckman, The Chronicle of Higher Education
May 2003

Career Opportunities in the Military: An Alternative to Traditional Academic Science
Thomas Herzig, Uniformed Services University
The Physiologist 40(6): 309, 1997
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)
SEE ALSO Herzig biosketch

Moonlighting in the Military
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Web Sites
Career Network: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s
The Chronicle of Higher Education

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS

The Scientist
(subscription required)

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Articles

Science Writing/Reporting
Careers in Science Communication: An Overview
Journal of Young Investigators Science Career Center

Scientists and Public Relations
Series of articles by people in public affairs positions
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
May 2003

Asking Good Questions is Key to Science and Journalism
Rachel Davis
The Physiologist 44(5): 357, 2001

Epiphanies on the Nonacademic Job Market
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Medical and Science Reporting: Another Opportunity for Graduate Students
Kawanza L. Griffin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Physiologist 45(5): 452, 2002

Report from AAAS Mass Media Fellows  
The Physiologist 43(5): 446, 2000
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

Kawanza L. Griffin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Elizabeth Cowley, Popular Science
Susan Rainey, Newsweek
Kendall Powell, Los Angeles Times
Pamela K. Hanson, Chicago Tribune

Careers in Science Writing
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Science Writing is a Winding Road: Perspectives from Caroline Simmons
Joshua Tusin, Journal of Young Investigators

Of Prose and Test Tubes: Building Inclusive Bridges Between Science and the Public
Mary Patyten, Journal of Young Investigators

See also American Medical Writers Association

Non-profit scientific organizations
Yes, Virginia, There is Life Beyond the Bench
Susan M. Fitzpatrick, AWIS Voice (subscription required)
Summer 2001

Careers for Ph.D.'s in the Association World
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Careers in Science Education
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Leaving the Lab Bench
Randy D. Krauss
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

Martin Frank, Ph.D., Executive Director, APS
Careers web site Biography

Policy Making
FELCOM Career Workshop: Science Policy Fellowships
NIH Videocast
December 2003
(see also AAAS Science Policy Fellowship Program)

Science Policy: Establishing Guidelines, Setting Priorities
Series of articles by people in science policy positions
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
February 2003

The Trilemma of the Learned Professions (health care policy and law)
William M. Sage

Turning Points: Making Policy, A Career
Karen Y. Kreeger, The Scientist (subscription required)
10 June 2002

Careers in Public Policy for Scientists
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Patent Law
Scientific Career Series in the New Millennium: Patent Law and Technology Transfer
NIH Videocast
November 2002

Careers in Law for Scientists
The Scientist's Guide to Traditional and Alternative Careers, Megan Brown

Consulting
Successfully Creating Your Own Business
Susan Fitzpatrick, AWIS Magazine (subscription required)
Autumn 2002

Andrea Gwosdow, From Bench Researcher to Science Consultant
The Physiologist 42(4): 199, 1999
(pdf file: Adobe Acrobat needed)

How to Get Started as a Freelancer
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Leaving the Bench for a Corporate Perch
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Should You Be a Consultant?
Career Network, The Chronicle of Higher Education

Regulatory Affairs
Scientists in Regulatory Affairs
Series of articles by people in regulatory affairs positions
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Nov. 2003

Other
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Series of articles by people with careers in the food and drink industry
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Dec. 2003

Doggy Drug Targets Push Research Prospects
Ted Agres, The Scientist (subscription required)
3 Nov. 2003

Sales and After-Sales Service
Series of articles by people in sales/support careers
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Aug. 2003

Cosmetics Careers
Series of articles by people with careers in the cosmetics industry
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
July 2003

Investing in Science
Series of articles by people who market products and services
ScienceCareers.org, AAAS
Oct. 2002

Tempted by Temp Work
Matt Zibelman, The Scientist (subscription required)
25 Nov. 2002

Web Sites
Career Network: Non-Academic Careers for Ph.D.'s
The Chronicle of Higher Education

Nature Jobs: Life Sciences Channel 

ScienceCareers.org
AAAS

The Scientist
(subscription required)

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