WAYFINDER
"Navigating Careers Beyond Academia"
Mentoring Program

Program 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.

Program Details

Application Period

Application call now open!

For Mentees: 1st Sept’26 - 30th Sept’26. 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'26 - 30th Oct'26. Link to Application.

Duration

For Mentees: Jan’27 - Jun’27 For Mentors: Feb'27 - May'27

Commitment

Two mandatory in-person workshop sessions for mentees

Four mandatory 1-on-1 mentee-mentor meetings

Continuously residing in Finland during the program

(short absences are okay)

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

2) Planning to defend in 2027 or recent PhD graduates who have defended after May 2026

Become a Biotech club member here

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 Program

To support doctoral researchers:

1) In their reflection of career goals and skills suitable for professions beyond academia.

2) To get exposed to other professional career options by the hand of highly skilled professionals.

3) During a critical career decision phase

NOTE: Neither we nor the mentors promise any job placement by participating in this mentoring program. The sole purpose of the program is to enable you to seek better opportunities outside of academia