In 2019, I left academia to pursue my aspiration to impact the lives of millions of patients as a Corporate R&D Scientist.

In 6 years, I have progressed through different roles across Biotech & Pharma, contributed to a drug discovery project nominating a new drug for human studies and increased my salary by 60% compared to my Postdoc.

Along the way, I’ve gained deep insights into Corporate R&D and built a global network of personal and professional connections.

Now, I work with Life Science Postdocs who are ready to break into Pharma R&D but struggle to translate their academic background into industry-ready expertise.

They acknowledge that their life and career goals can be achieved when they:
- Commit to a proven process
- Invest in their own development
- Seek guidance from someone who made the same transition 6 years ago

My 8-Week 1-on-1 Accelerator Program give you systems to:
- Craft a personalized job application strategy
- Increase interview conversion rates
- Refine your interview skills
- Build and grow your professional network
- Address offer negotiation

If you’re a Senior Postdoc (2+ years post-PhD) actively applying to Pharma roles with no results, you need strategy and systems to build a career that enables you to make the real-world impact you want.

☎️ Book a call and see if we're a good fit to work together ☎️
https://calendly.com/grandi-andrea/free-discovery-call

PhDs aren’t overqualified.

They’re highly skilled.

PhDs aren’t inexperienced.

They’re eager to learn about industry.

And they’re capable of learning fast.

Recruiters, I talk with PhDs every day:

most of them are ahead of me at their stage.

They’re skilled, hardworking, and motivated to make a positive impact on society.

I will forever be grateful to the recruiter who first took a shot on me.

Please, give PhDs a chance!

Andrea Grandi, PhD

In 2019, I left academia to pursue my aspiration to impact the lives of millions of patients as an Industry Scientist.

In 6 years, I have progressed through different roles across the Biotech & Pharma industries.

I have gained insights into the diverse roles and opportunities within corporate R&D, while building a global network of personal and professional connections.

Currently, I am on a 12 months sabbatical, focusing on a PhD mentorship project, while also enjoying some travelling.

I help life science postdocs eager to make an impact beyond academia by guiding them in building a solid career strategy for landing industry roles in pharma R&D.


This includes:

•	Learning how to translate academic skills into industry-relevant expertise.

•	Gaining awareness of the diverse roles available in pharma R&D.

•	Laying the foundation for a strong professional network.


Please note that the contents shared here reflects my personal experience and views and does not represent those of my current or past employers, or LinkedIn.


Keywords:
mentor; pharma; biotech; R&D; scientist; industry; academia.

I help Postdocs translate their skills to Pharma R&D through my 8-week 1-on-1 program; From Postdoc to Pharma R&D 4X faster; 6X your salary increase | Ex-Corporate R&D Scientist | PhD Mentor | Pharmacologist

Only 5% of PhDs eventually secure professorship.

So, 95% of them will find a career out of academia.

This recent article on Nature shed light on a problem.

One I deeply care about.

👉🏻 The world needs the skills PhDs have.

 But they need to be in places where they can make an impact.

 Analytical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving.

 Those skills are in high demand in the labour market

 There aren’t too many PhDs.

 There’s a huge disconnection between the education system and the real world.

 Time to change that.

 Awareness is the first step!
--

👉🏻 And you?

Were you aware of the % of PhDs landing faculty positions when you enrolled in your PhD?

I’d love to hear from you!

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/dtBjVNe9

More insights on PhD-to-Industry transitions coming.

Hit Follow + 🔔 so you don't miss them!

7 years ago, I almost gave up on my aspiration to pursue a career in Pharma R&D.

After a 2-year Postdoc, I left academia to focus 100% on my job search.

3 weeks and 10+ applications later, I heard back from a Germany-based startup where I had applied for a Research Scientist role, and they scheduled an interview with me.

I thought it could be a good fit. They were focused on respiratory research, the same field I had worked on during my postdoc..

We had 3 rounds of interview via Skype, all of which went well.
I was eventually invited for a final onsite interview in Berlin, where I spent half a day at their facility, visiting their offices and labs and meeting the entire team at the startup.

Although some discrepancies between my background and the job requirements emerged—specifically, they were looking for an in-vitro scientist while my experience was primarily with in-vivo work—I was happy with how the interview went.

However, 2 days later, they politely emailed me, explaining that although they appreciated my skills and capabilities, I had not been selected for the position. They had chosen another candidate whose qualifications and experience were more aligned with the job profile.

At that moment, I felt like if I couldn’t land an R&D role even when I was a great fit on paper, I was never going to secure an R&D position.

As a result, I shifted my focus and started targeting different types of roles. 
2 months later, I landed my first job in GMP manufacturing in biotech.

6 months later, an unexpected opportunity came up, and I transitioned to an R&D Scientist role at Chiesi Group, a leading Pharma company in the respiratory field.

Since then, I:
→ Contributed to 3 Drug Discovery Projects as core team member 
(including 1 nominating a drug for clinical studies in IPF).
→ Co-authored 10+ papers in peer-reviewed journals.
→ Presented at 3 international conferences.
→ Met a lot of amazing people.
→ Made cool science 

I’m so proud of this journey, and that rejection wasn’t the end of my career in R&D!
Not AT ALL.

If you’re a Postdoc in your industry job search, don’t let rejections bring you down.
They’re just part of the game. 

Remember, the game is a marathon, not a sprint.
Keep going & Enjoy the journey!
--

👉🏻 And you?
How are you coping with rejections to keep going?

I’d love to hear your story!

💬 Drop a Comment or DM me

📸 Me, trying to unwind after the half-day interview in Berlin.

May 21, 2019 I went to Cambridge, UK for an interview.

While on a train from Stansted to Cambridge I received a phone call getting my first job offer from a role I interviewed for earlier.

I went to the interview in the afternoon.

Felt like it went well.

Then, I came back to my room to relax.

A guy from another company emailed me to invite me to an interview.

I declined, saying I already had an offer.

He insisted. I kindly declined.

After this email exchange I thought:

“2 years I’m struggling with job search and today I had an offer, an interview and this guy is begging me to go for an interview with them.”

If you’re a postdoc applying to Pharma roles and not hearing back:

👉🏻 Don’t give up.

Keep learning and iterating.

Your effort will compound.

Your day will come.
--

👉🏻 And you?
Do you feel like giving up with applications because the results are not showing?

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

Remember there’s latency between effort and results.

95% of people quit there.

More insights on Postdoc-to-Pharma R&D transitions coming.

Hit Follow + 🔔 so you don't miss them!

📸 Me approaching the interview in Cambridge, do I look more relaxed than usual?

Helping Life Science PhDs translate their skills to Pharma R&D; Target the right roles; From PhD to Pharma 4X faster; 6X your salary increase | Ex-Pharma R&D Scientist | PhD Mentor | Guide | Pharmacist

10 pieces of advice I’d give my 10-years-ago self (2nd-year PhD student):


1. Don't store too much stuff in the -80°C.

If it breaks down, you're done.

Murphy's law is real.

2. Figuring out a post-PhD career is hard.

Start early. 2 years in advance is reasonable.

PS: you're late.

3. Be focused on your goals, but flexible on the path.

100% successful people are laser focussed.

0% got to their goals the way they thought.

4. Use your gut to get direction, use your mind to get there.

Your gut doesn't lie, but you need systems to get to your goals.

You don't rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.

5. Try to be interested rather than trying to be interesting.

Networking is crucial for... pretty much everything.

And No. 5 is the ultimate networking hack.

6. Before learning new things, you'll need to unlearn first.

If you can't get to a goal, there's likely a lesson you need to learn.

If you can’t do that, you likely need to unlearn an old habit or challenge an old belief.

7. Post-PhD career options are endless.

Don't stay in scarcity, bring an abundance mindset with you.

Your PhD will be your passport, but YOU will decide where to travel.

8. When you start a new path, don't assume.

Bring the same curiosity-driven, beginner mindset that got you to start a PhD.

It will go a long way.

9. Be patient.

Everything worth doing takes time.

PhD and post-PhD careers are no exceptions.

10. Be grateful.

You already have a lot more than 99% of the world population.

That's it.
--

👉🏻 And you?
What advice would you need for your post-PhD career?

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

I moved from academia to biotech and then Pharma R&D 6 years ago.

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗜’𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗤&𝗔: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗥&𝗗 👇 

📅 Dec 16 | 🕖 6 PM CET | 📍 Zoom
⚠️ Free session – limited spots.

Book your slot here:
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dueAfjy9

If you’re a PhD student or Postdoc interested in Pharma R&D careers, this session is for you! 

📸 I’d like to think of myself speaking to my younger self from this boat at Phi Phi Island, Thailand, where I was last year.

The ability to stay calm when the water gets turbulent is a bonus tip ; )

Helping Life Science PhDs translate their skills to Pharma R&D; Target the right roles; From PhD to Pharma 4X faster; 6X your salary increase | Ex-Pharma R&D Scientist | PhD Mentor | Podcast Guest | Guide | Pharmacist

Pharma R&D enabled me to do work that can save lives.

Being part of a team bringing a new drug to human studies for IPF was the most rewarding accomplishment of my 12-year career as a scientist.

We raised hope for millions of patients.

On top of that, I improved my quality of life. 

My salary increased by 60% in 6 years compared to my postdoc position.

In 2024, I started helping PhDs make the same transition I had made.

Within 12 months, their response was so overwhelmingly positive that I decided to build a business to serve them. 

2 of them told me last week: “It’s so great that you’re helping so many people, I’d like to do it too in the future.”

And I'm happy to help more people achieve what I’m so grateful to have experienced!
--

This month, I’m accepting 3 new mentees into my 8-Week Accelerator.

If you’re a life-science postdoc (2+ years post-PhD) who’s trying to move into Pharma R&D with no results so far, I hear you; I was in the same place!

For Black Friday week, I’m offering a 25% discount on my Dr. G Development Program, From Postdoc to Pharma R&D.

This 8-week Accelerator will help you fast-track your Pharma transition, without quitting your postdoc right away.

Book a call by Friday (Nov 30) and let’s see if we’re a good fit to work together! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dbdxbdyd

(Extra €250 discount if you’ve already worked with me in 2025 😉)

Photo from ATS 2023, when I was presenting our work on lung fibrosis' models during my previous role at Chiesi.

Helping Life Science PhDs translate their skills to Pharma R&D; Target the right roles; From PhD to Pharma 4X faster; 6X your salary increase | Ex-Pharma R&D Scientist | PhD Mentor | Manifesting Generator | Pharmacist

There’s one mistake killing PhDs’ chances to land a job in Pharma.
 
I was guilty of it too.
 
👉🏻 They apply for Project Management roles.
 
PM in Pharma isn’t an entry-level role.
 
It typically requires ≥3–5 years in industry.
 
A PM’s work isn’t just about planning activities and having knowledge of the product.
 
It’s also about:
→ Budget: FC & PCL
→ Pass-through costs & FTEs
→ Dealing with stakeholders with divergent opinions
 
And much more.
 
You’ll get this experience in industry, not in a Postdoc.
 
If you’re a postdoc hoping to be a PM in Pharma:
 
👉🏻 You CAN get there
 
But you’ll need a few steps before.
 
I know you invested a lot in your training and it stings to hear that.
 
But save yourself frustration:
 
Keep PM as a long-term goal
 
But be flexible on the path to get there!
 --
 
👉🏻 And you?
Have you ever caught yourself applying for roles and realizing you set the bar too high?
 
💬 Drop a comment or DM me!
 
Hey, I’m Andrea Grandi, PhD
✅ I help Life Science PhDs transition into Pharma R&D roles
🔔 Follow me for more insights
📌 Visit my Store to learn more
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dz2n3vBh

The future of work is not remote.


Not even hybrid.

👉🏻 It’s location-free

It’s not about where you work 
it’s about having the freedom to work from anywhere.

Postdocs have a great competitive advantage.

They’ve already been working in a location-free way
long before it became a trend.

They’re used to:
→ relocating every 2–3 years 
→ drafting papers from their sofa
→ doing secondments across countries
→ dislocating between different facilities

Office?
They rarely have one.

I used to have a desk and a computer next to the isolated organ lab.
And I loved it.

Postdocs, the world of work is changing fast.
Don’t get discouraged.

You’ve already faced big challenges in your career.

Keep upskilling and bet on yourself.
--

👉🏻 And you?
What’s the weirdest location you’ve ever drafted a paper from?

I’d love to hear your story.
💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

More insights on Postdoc-to-Pharma R&D transitions coming. 

Hit Follow + 🔔 so you don't miss them!

📸 Me, drafting a report from a café in Phuket last year.

That helped a PhD mentee land his internship at a global biopharma company.

Something needs to change in the hiring process.

Ghosting happens far too often.

And we're starting to normalize it.

But we shouldn't.

Sharing feedback just takes a few seconds.

Yet, it can make a huge difference for someone on the other side. 

This applies to both sides:

For a candidate, after 3 rounds of interviews.

For a recruiter, after an offer has been discussed.

Let’s make the hiring process more human.

Please, stop ghosting!

Yesterday, we didn’t just discuss Postdoc vs Pharma R&D careers.

We planted seeds.

The kind that need time, curiosity, and a little mess before they bloom.

And if you attended my free masterclass yesterday, you’re already on your path to your next role.

Next steps:
Experiment→Perform→Struggle→Thrive

You’ll grow into a role that’s a good fit for you.

No magic hacks. Just Progress + Persistence.

And most importantly:
👉🏻 Give yourself permission to be IN PROGRESS

You’ve already done hard things, solved hard problems, and navigated uncertainty.

That same mindset will carry you forward

if you allow it!
--

Thanks to everyone who joined my Masterclass “From Postdoc to Pharma R&D: 5 Things You Don’t Need.”

I’m so grateful to have had you on board.

It was real, fun, and wonderfully human.

If you couldn’t make it this time, no worries:
Stay tuned for more live events!

More insights on Postdoc-to-Pharma R&D transitions coming.

Hit Follow + 🔔 so you don't miss them!

Last year, my friend from Chicago did something crazy.
 
He turned 40, and to celebrate this milestone he decided to run the Chicago Marathon.
 
He’s always been a smart and fun guy to be around.
 
But he never did any sports in his life.
 
So, when he texted me that, I said:
 
“I’ll jump on a flight to Chicago and go.”
 
So, I went to see the marathon with his wife, my partner and other friends from the US and Italy.
 
He started to train 1 year earlier.
 
He trained indoors for the winter (it’s Chiberia over there!)
 
He joined a running group and raised funds for MS research.

3 weeks before the marathon, he had a knee injury but pushed through anyway.
 
The day of the marathon, he woke up at 3 AM and was at the starting line on time.
 
He finished the marathon in <5 hours.
 
And that night, against all odds, he was able to stay awake for the party at his place and celebrate until late night!
 
It’s a special feeling when one of your closest friends, raised in your same area (our grandfathers were colleagues!) does something so inspirational.
 
And this is just a big proud friend post.
 
Can’t wait to see what you’ll do next, Paul!

Gosh, PhDs got some pretty darn cool PhD friends.
--

📸 The Italian Crew, celebrating the marathon finisher in Chicago, 2024.

7 years ago, I defined networking as: 

Workshops
Attending conferences
Chatting with PhD mates over coffee
Chatting with people at seminars
Going to a Summer School

Today, I define it as:

Doing work that excites me
Talking about it online every day
Engaging with others doing similar work
Asking them curious questions
Trying to be interested rather than interesting

Do what you love.

Talk about it.

Your people will find you!

2 things are killing your interview chances in Pharma before you even start.

Painful, yet simple to fix:

1. No familiarity with calendar tools

Email calendars are daily tools in Pharma.

Many PhDs don’t use them much.

Before the interview, make sure:
→ You have the invite in your calendar
→ You have accepted it
→ You log in at the right time

Do this, and you're off to a good start.

2. Not going to the point

When they ask you direct questions:

👉🏻 Respond directly.

Don’t start from your high school diploma.

The meeting has a set time, and it’s REAL.

They need to get the information to make a decision on your candidature in that time.

If it takes 10 minutes for the introductory question, they won’t make it.

The job market is very competitive right now.

These are easy-to-fix tips to help you.

Take the opportunity during the winter break to practice.

Your future self will thank you!
--

👉🏻 And you?
What’s your biggest interview pain point?

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

Hey, I’m Andrea Grandi, PhD
✅ I help Life Science PhDs transition into Pharma R&D roles
🔔 Follow me for more insights
📌 Visit my Store to learn more
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dz2n3vBh

2 Postdocs in my 8-Week Accelerator landed interviews for Field Application Specialist roles this month.

A career path I also considered during my Postdoc.

In 2017, I had €20,000 EU funds for my research.

So, I invested €7,000+ in a gas anaesthesia system.

I got in touch with the specialist, he came to the lab to install the equipment and do the training.

It wasn't just a transaction, we created a relationship.

2 years later, I had an interview at his company for a similar role.

Postdocs, if you’re looking for industry jobs now

AND you:
→ Love travelling
→ Like talking to people
→ Have experience with equipment

Then, I encourage you to consider FAS roles too.

It can be a very rewarding career.

My mentees are in the selection process now.

You could be the next.
--

👉🏻 And you?
What kind of relationships have you built in your postdoc?

A lot can come from beyond the bench.

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

Hey, I’m Andrea Grandi, PhD
✅ I help Life Science PhDs transition into Pharma R&D roles
🔔 Follow me for more insights
📌 Visit my Store to learn more
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dz2n3vBh

In the last 2 months, I’ve been overwhelmed by your discovery call requests.

While I’m SO grateful for your support, I had to cancel some.

I just couldn’t keep up with you all.

I need to save my energy to keep everything running.

That’s why this month I’d like to give you the opportunity to have a chat and ask your questions about the PhD-to-Pharma transition:

📢 I’m hosting a Live Q&A Session!

👉🏻 From PhD to Pharma R&D

📅 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲
🕖 𝟲 𝗣𝗠 𝗖𝗘𝗧 | 𝟭𝟮 𝗣𝗠 𝗘𝗦𝗧
📍 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 

If you’re a PhD student or Postdoc interested in Pharma R&D careers, this session is for you.

The session is free to attend.

⚠️ Limited spots available!

Book your slot here:
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dueAfjy9

I'm looking for 2 life-science postdocs who are ready to reclaim 5+ hours/week and position themselves for their next role in Pharma R&D by Q1 2026.

You don't need another certification or online course (I did tons of those!)

You need strategy and systems to build a career that enables you to make the real-world impact you want.

Most postdocs aren’t stuck because they lack skills.

They’re stuck because they lack guidance.

Inside my 8-Week Accelerator we focus on: 
✅ Crafting a targeted job search strategy
✅ Increasing application-to-interview conversion
✅ Refining your interview skills
✅ Growing your professional network
✅ Addressing offer negotiation

If you’ve been feeling stuck in a postdoc you believe is going nowhere, here’s your reminder:

your next role doesn't require more skills, it requires better positioning.

Bring the commitment.

We’ll provide the structure that turns being stuck into progress.
--

Last day to book a call for my 8-Week Industry Transition Accelerator using the Black Friday offer.

I’m offering a 25% discount on my Dr. G Development Program, From Postdoc to Pharma R&D.

Fast-track your Pharma transition in 8 weeks, without quitting your postdoc right away.

Book a call by Today (Nov 30) and let’s see if we’re a good fit to work together! ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dbdxbdyd

(Extra €250 discount if you’ve already worked with me in 2025 😉)

Only 2 spots left!

Start now or in January.

1 interview question cost me a €66,000/year opportunity.
 
It was back in 2017:
→ Big Pharma, Scientist, Diabetes.
 
The question:
👉🏻 What’s a challenge you tackled successfully, and how did you handle it?
 
It completely caught me off guard.
 
It was my first industry interview 
I had no clue what to expect.
 
I felt like I lost my chance right away.
 
Now, I often ask the same question to my Postdoc mentees in our mock interview sessions.
 
Last week, one of my mentees had an interview, and they asked her this exact same question.
 
We had prepared it in our mock interview the day before
So, she wasn’t caught off guard.
 
Next week, she heads to the second round!

If you’re a Postodc applying for Pharma roles:
 
Don’t just focus on the technical details 
 
Prepare for behavioral questions too. 
--
 
👉🏻 And you?
What’s a question that caught you off guard in your first interview?
 
💬 Drop a comment or DM me.
I’d love to hear your story!
 
Hey, I’m Andrea Grandi, PhD
✅ I help postdocs transition into Pharma R&D roles.
🔔 Follow me for more insights.
📌 Visit my store to learn more:
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/dz2n3vBh

“I’m stuck in a Postdoc that will likely go nowhere.”

I know how terrible it feels to be here 👆🏻

And even worse when you start applying for Pharma jobs and rarely hear back.

But you aren’t there because you lack skills.

You’re there because you lack guidance.

When Postdocs contact me, they typically:
→ Have done 100+ applications
→ Landed 1–2 interviews

Their avg. conversion rate is 1%.

Jane decided to join my 8-Week Accelerator in September.

She was at 1% conversion before the program.

4 weeks in, she was at 7.7%.

That’s 7.7X increase vs. baseline.

Postdocs, your skills are valuable for Pharma R&D.

But guidance is transformative!

This is what can happen in just 4 weeks:

Jane 7X-ed her interviews conversion.

You could be next.
--

👉🏻 And you?

If you’d had such an effect on the drug you’re studying in your research project:

How would you describe the results in your paper? 

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

PS: if you'd like me to show you how you can increase your interview conversion rate:

I have 1 spot left in January 2026 for the 8-Week Accelerator!

If you’re a Life Science Postdoc ready to move to Pharma R&D, struggling with positioning yourself for Pharma roles and networking, this program is for you.

Book your discovery call here:
👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/eCGt3Yua

What’s holding you back from making an extra €10K+/year isn’t your understanding of Pharma roles nor networking.

Something else is preventing most postdocs I’m helping with their Pharma R&D transition from hitting their goals:

👉🏻 Their limiting beliefs.

They believe it’s impossible to land a job in industry.
I’ve been there too.

We believe what’s possible based on our past experiences.

But once we bust our limiting beliefs, we set ourselves free.

Free to explore, free to fail, free to learn.
Free to become who we’re meant to become.

So, when we start to work together, we typically reframe this:
→ I’m too old
→ I’m overqualified
→ I have no industry experience

Into this:
→ I’m experienced
→ I’m highly skilled
→ I’m eager to learn more

And it’s great to see their transformation once they acknowledge what’s possible for them!

More confidence, more applications, more interviews.

If you’re a postdoc willing to move to Pharma R&D:
You have already done hard things, you are worthy of it, you will do it.

Mindset beats limiting beliefs.
--

👉🏻 And you?
What limiting belief is holding you back from your Pharma R&D transition?

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

More insights on Postdoc-to-Pharma R&D transitions coming.

Hit Follow + 🔔 so you don't miss them!

5 weeks ago, I shared a tool that helped 250+ PhDs with their Pharma R&D applications.

One I was so happy to share.

👉🏻 My Pharma R&D CV

This one helped me land my Pharma R&D job. 

I got to this resume after 2 years of trial-and-error.

And it's now available for FREE on my Store.

This isn't a template.
This is the REAL CV I used for my applications.

⚠️ After this week, I'm retiring it from my Store.

It's served its purpose beautifully and it's time to make space for new resources.

So, if you're a Postdoc hoping to move to Pharma R&D, this is your last chance to get it.

Feel free to grab your copy here: https://lnkd.in/dz2n3vBh
--

👉🏻 And you?
What's your biggest pain point with your CV?

💬 Drop a comment or DM me!

taplio

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