"Navigating Careers Beyond Academia" Mentoring Programme
Programme Statement
Empowering PhD researchers to transition from academia to impactful roles in the biotech industry, through guidance and support from experienced professionals who have taken this path before.
Programme Details
Application Period
Application call now open!
For Mentees: 1st Sept’25 - 30th Sept’25. Link to Application.
Note: Only mentees who are affiliated with the University of Helsinki will be able to apply via the link.
For Mentors: 1st Sept'25 - 30th Nov'25. Link to Application.
Duration
For Mentees: Jan’26 - Jun’26 For Mentors: Feb'26 - May'26
Commitment
Two mandatory in-person workshop sessions for mentees
Four mandatory 1-on-1 mentee-mentor meetings
Eligibility for Mentees
Doctoral researchers affiliated to the University of Helsinki from the health, life science or biotech fields, who are​
1) Members of the Biotech Club, and
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2) Planning to defend in 2026 or recent PhD graduates who have defended in 2025
Eligibility for Mentors
We are looking for mentors with a background in the health, life science or biotech field who have successfully navigated the shift from academia to a career in industry after PhD
Goals of the Mentoring Programme
To support doctoral researchers:
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1) In their reflection of career goals and skills suitable for professions beyond academia.
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2) To get exposed to other professional career options by the hand of highly skilled professionals.
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3) During a critical career decision phase
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NOTE: Neither we nor the mentors promise any job placement by participating in this mentoring programme. The sole purpose of the programme is to enable you to seek better opportunities outside of academia
Programme Coordinators
If you have any questions regarding the programme, get in touch with the programme coordinators:
Noemí Gutiérrez Valdés, PhD
Usha Mohanraj, PhD