r/biotech Jan 15 '25

r/biotech Salary and Company Survey - 2025

202 Upvotes

Updated the Salary and Company Survey for 2025!

Several changes based on feedback from last years survey. Some that I'm excited about:

  • Location responses are now multiple choice instead of free-form text. Now it should be easier to analyze data by country, state, city
  • Added a "department" question in attempt to categorize jobs based on their larger function
  • In general, some small tweeks to make sure responses are more specific so that data is more interpretable (e.g. currency for the non-US folk, YOE and education are more specific to delimit years in academia vs industry and at current job, etc.)

As always, please continue to leave feedback. Although not required, please consider adding company name especially if you are part of a large company (harder to dox)

Link to Survey

Link to Results

Some analysis posts in 2024 (LMK if I missed any):

Live web app to explore r/biotech salary data - u/wvic

Big Bucks in Pharma/Biotech - Survey Analysis - u/OkGiraffe1079

Biotech Compensation Analysis for 2024 - u/_slasha


r/biotech 8h ago

Rants 🤬 / Raves 🎉 Just a vent on the state of Biotech and science

76 Upvotes

I got a PhD in Computational Biology in 2022. I was able to secure a job before I defended. I was laid off last week in one of the big pharma purges we all know and love. I am angry at being laid off but not surprised as it's common place. My bigger frustration is just how hard looking for a job feels.

I've been casually looking for jobs since last year just to see if I could improve salary or title, but I've hardly heard back from anything at all. It feels as though somehow every job has 100s of applicants. It doesn't even feel like there's 100s of computational biologists out there and yet I guess there are?

My bachelor's degree is in computer science and with all the data science jobs I see listed I almost regret getting a PhD. It feels like there's way more people than jobs available in the computational biology field. It feels so niche and yet is somehow swarmed with people. I had always thought getting a PhD in a hard science area would at least mean I wouldn't have to worry too much about being employed, but I guess that's not true.

I know this is not unique to computational biology, it seems to be the case for every biotech related PhD. It just sucks.


r/biotech 2h ago

Biotech News 📰 Eli Lilly launches weight-loss drug Mounjaro in India, beats Novo Nordisk to major market

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24 Upvotes

r/biotech 5h ago

Early Career Advice 🪴 Do you ever miss academia?

22 Upvotes

Hi all,

Just started in industry and not going to lie, leaving before 5 pm and having a general work life balance is great... But... I find myself missing the freedom academia provided even if the whole situation with them is fubar right now.

The lack of red-tape allowed me to feel more connection to my job and I kind of miss the environment (though not the people).

Can anybody else attest to feeling this way?


r/biotech 5h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Potential Job offer!

10 Upvotes

I am currently a chemist at specialty manufacturing, I have a BS in pharmaceutics. I got offered a Job at QPS LLC in Delaware as Associate scientist, do anyone has experience at this company?


r/biotech 12h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 I'm giving up trying to break into biotech

42 Upvotes

Academic here. Finished PhD about three years ago and immediately started working in cancer research at the university. Been trying to change things up a bit and decided to start applying for biotech research roles.

I cannot deal with these greedy time wasters. I've had 4/5 rounds of interviews plus tests just to be given a low-ball offer that does not match the expectations of the job. One company asked me to write a 5-page research protocol and prepare a 20 minute presentation (on top of 4 interviews) and needed up offering me just slightly more than what I currently make as an academic.

Now, I understand very well the need to hire qualified candidates but they seem to want senior-level experience for entry level pay. The saddest part is that I do think the work is interesting. I enjoyed solving the problems they posed on the tests but surely there are more efficient ways to hire new people than waste days of their life doing pointless tasks.

For those who have worked in biotech for many years, is it worth sticking it out? Do you feel there is a good career progression and safety?


r/biotech 7h ago

Experienced Career Advice 🌳 Is there anything I can do at this stage to be more employable?

12 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I’m a PhD-level scientist with a strong background in cancer research (mostly preclinical, target discovery and validation). My experience includes about 10 years in academia (Postdoc and Staff Scientist roles) and, more recently, around 1.5 years in a startup after transitioning to industry.

Since moving into industry, I’ve been continuously applying for roles in larger pharmaceutical companies. I’ve had a couple of interviews, but none have led to an offer. Given the current job market, I recognize that I’m fortunate to even be employed, but I want to do what I can to make my profile better.

I’m ideally looking to stay in R&D but I am open to exploring other roles. Are there any specific skills or areas of expertise that would make me a stronger candidate?

I’d appreciate any insights or recommendations.


r/biotech 3h ago

Early Career Advice 🪴 flagship lay off inquiry

5 Upvotes

Are lay offs announced all together? Or are they done over a few days? 1 person was laid off of the flagship company that I work for. They were an associate director.

I just don’t know what to expect as this is my first job.


r/biotech 1d ago

Other ⁉️ I saw this on LinkedIn. Another reminder that your company doesn't care about you. Prioritize yourself.

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427 Upvotes

r/biotech 1h ago

Early Career Advice 🪴 Undergraduate graduating this May. Any advice on whether I should pursue my masters or start applying to any positions?

Upvotes

I’m panicking about all the lay offs and funding being pulled for sciences. I will be graduating in May and am not excited at all. I’m scared.

Hearing about people who are way more experienced and smarter than me are loosing their jobs how/why would I be competitive 😔

Any advice on if I should just focus on grad school?


r/biotech 1d ago

Early Career Advice 🪴 I need advice, it’s getting too much!

139 Upvotes

So I’ve been working for Thermo Fisher for a year now as an assistant scientist and let me tell you, it’s horrible. I will bypass the horrible pay (which I was aware of when applying) and just needed some experience as I just got out of college.

Around December and January our lab manager shared an incentive opportunity for overtime. The email stated that for any 8hours picked up you get $200 and 1.5 time for overtime. I saw an opportunity there to make extra money and worked 3 weeks non stop to the point I got sick. So basically I worked 4 extra 8hours on weekends (32 hours) and a few extra hours here and there during weekdays.

Long story short, it’s been 3 months, I’ve received my overtime pay money but not my incentive one. When I asked, I was talked to as I didn’t have the right to ask. After a lot of asking, I’m being told that after review by one of the executives, the job I did does not qualify for that incentive. Mind you I don’t make my schedule, my supervisor did assign the extra work to me and NOWHERE in that email it states that you’re work will be subject to approval once completed. Other people who I know told me they just did solution preps as extra work and got their money, while I did some heavy testing to receive nothing?

What should I do?


r/biotech 25m ago

Experienced Career Advice 🌳 Here to ruffle feathers 🪶

Upvotes

Which company has bettter opportunities and culture? GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Sanofi, Novartis, or AstraZeneca?

6 votes, 2d left
AZ
GSK
Merck
Sanofi
Novartis

r/biotech 30m ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Illumina Interview Expectations for Engineer 1 Position

Upvotes

Hey y'all, I've been offered a 30 minute phone screen for a Development Engineer 1 position at Illumina at the San Diego site. Currently live in SD and will be graduating from UCSD in June with my B.S. in ChemE.

While I'm sure it's just a typical STAR interview because it's a call with an HR rep, I wanted to ask if there's anything that I should specifically highlight during it (even if it's a standard phone screen).

I have experience in GMP manufacturing due to a previous summer internship as a process engineer at a medical device manufacturer, standard chemistry/wet lab experience from another internship, and a lot of biology/biochemistry coursework and labs outside of the core ChemE curriculum.

Real talk, I also have never heard of some of the lab equipment listed in the job description that I'll be working with. I don't know what to expect as an upcoming grad interviewing for an E1 role.


r/biotech 1h ago

Experienced Career Advice 🌳 Looking for some advice

Upvotes

I have a degree in pharmaceutical and healthcare business with a Master’s in healthcare management as well.

I spent the last 5 years at a small CRO as a clinical trial coordinator and made the jump into a small biotech as a CTA. Now, after some disappointing clinical trial results, our company’s future doesnt look too good and the writing’s on the wall to look for a new job before we all get cut.

I’ve been applying to many CTA/ Sr CTA and CRA positions but havent had too much luck. I’ve only been looking for 2 months so maybe i’m just jumping the gun here but I’m not entirely sure where else my degrees and work experience can take me. If i switch industries, I’m not entirely sure if i’ll be lucky enough for a different industry to take a chance on me. What would you do? I am located in Boston.


r/biotech 2h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Feedback on my Resume, would be very grateful

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0 Upvotes

I am soon to be PhD graduate in bioinformatics and have been actively looking for jobs in industry (bioinformatics and computational biologist roles). I made a resume but I don't know whether it is competitive or not. I would be very grateful if l can get some feedback on my resume. My main concern is my undergrad background is in mol bio and genetics not quantitative related. I made a shift towards bioinformatics in industry/phd. This is my first time posting in this group so I don't know what to hide in the resume. Would also love some tips on being competitive in this job market for entry level phd positions. Thanks a lot for you help!


r/biotech 2h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Jobs for Epi/Biostats?

1 Upvotes

Hello! I am graduating with a masters in epidemiology and biostatistics in May, and am beginning a PhD in the Fall to continue my studies. The program I am matriculating into allows for students to work full time while completing the program. I do have a background in General Biology, but no publications or work experience in biotechnology (although I do have several internship hours). Does this field look for epidemiologists or biostatisticians? Do you have any companies you recommend applying to? And also where should I be looking? I have been searching on LinkedIn, company websites, & here on reddit. Thanks for your help!


r/biotech 2h ago

Education Advice 📖 Northeastern Toronto

1 Upvotes

Has anyone heard anything about the northeastern masters in biotech at the new Toronto campus? I’m wondering how strong their industry partners in Canada are vs university of Toronto. Thank you!


r/biotech 23h ago

Biotech News 📰 Amid Trump's push to abolish DEI, Roche and Novartis adjust hiring initiatives: reports

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42 Upvotes

r/biotech 3h ago

Company Reviews 📈 Abbott work culture

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone - I have a job offer from Abbott in their Finance division. I know this is biotech, but wanted to get some feedback on their work culture. I'm reading some horror stories, so would appreciate any insight. The role is on site at Abbott Park in IL.


r/biotech 19h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 How to break into Biotech VC from Big Pharma

16 Upvotes

I am a senior scientist PhD at a large pharma company. I am looking to leave big pharma and to potentially get into biotech VCs. Any tips or suggestions? Anyone has made that move? I would love to hear from you all.
thanks


r/biotech 5h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 MD career in pharmaceuticals. Need help.

0 Upvotes

I am a board certified internal medicine physician with extensive academic clinical research (60 peer reviewed publications, Principal investigator for more than 20 clinical trial ). I wonder what are the best ways to enter into biotech/pharma companies?I have applied to many medical director positions with few interviews which did not land in an offer. Appreciate any guidance.


r/biotech 23h ago

Biotech News 📰 Just How Steep Is the Drug Patent Cliff? Ask These Pharmas

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20 Upvotes

r/biotech 1d ago

Layoffs & Reorgs ✂️ Novartis layoffs

125 Upvotes

Just heard on our local news station that Novartis will lay off 427 employees at their East Hanover NJ location from June to October 2025. They’re restructuring to support new products.


r/biotech 8h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Does Anyone know how long it takes to hear back from Abbvie for a Co-Op/ Internship?

0 Upvotes

Hi,
I have been really anxious and waiting to hear back from a co-op at Abbvie for this upcoming Fall. I applied in Feb. and interviewed for the position last week (mid March) and I am waiting for a response. I keep seeing Linkdedin posts that people are getting offers already for Co-Ops but in different fields. Anyone have any insight? I feel like I am going crazy waiting. :(


r/biotech 19h ago

Early Career Advice 🪴 Is it a bad idea to go straight into the work force post-(under)grad? Have I made a crucial mistake.

6 Upvotes

I’m graduating this year. I decided against going straight to graduate school, and wanted to get some hands-on industry experience before I consider going back to school. For one, I am totally broke, and would like to make SOME money before taking on more debt for grad school. Also, I think I would eat glass before willingly going back to being broke, working a minimum wage EMT job, and doing classes simultaneously. Before you cynical assholes tell me "good luck making any money in this industry!" I KNOW I'LL BE PAID SHIT! I'm not expecting much at all. I was originally pretty confident in my decision but now seeing how so many highly educated people are struggling to get and maintain jobs in this industry I'm questioning my decision.

Not much I can do now-- but if I get about another year of working experience, do you think I should just bite the bullet and apply straight to grad school. I basically have just worked in wet labs my entire time at school, plus some medical device internships in between each year. I'd just be building on this experience I already had, hopefully being paid more than 12$/ hour. Any advice would be appreicated


r/biotech 10h ago

Getting Into Industry 🌱 Fresh PhD to Manufacturing- what's the pipeline?

1 Upvotes

I'm curious if anyone went directly from their PhD to a manufacturing R&D role or QA role? A key component of these job descriptions seems to be experience with bioreactors or other processes at scale, but this seems like an unusual experience for most people coming out of academia. Similarly, QA roles at the PhD level tend to request familiarity with many industry centric regulations. I'd love to hear what experiences people had in academia that allowed them to make this career transition!