From 29 June to 1 July 2026, PhD researchers from across the SoCoBio programme came together for the Industrial Biotechnology Summer School, hosted by the University of Kent and NIAB. The two and a half day event provided an excellent opportunity to explore career pathways beyond academia, connect with industry professionals, and gain practical insights into the skills needed for a successful transition into industrial biotechnology.

The summer school began with a keynote lecture from Professor Andrew Porter, Professor of Medical Biotechnology and Director of the Scottish Biologics Facility at the University of Aberdeen. Andy pitched his talk perfectly and engaged the audience with his journey through a wide variety of biotech adventures.  

Speakers from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, VenteraBio Ltd, Kent Wildlife Trust, Bayer, Charm Therapeutics, GSK, and Astratus Limited shared their personal career journeys, discussing how they navigated the transition from academic research into industry. Rather than following a single path, each speaker demonstrated that careers can develop in many different directions, with opportunities in research and development, project management, biotechnology start-ups, environmental science, agriculture, and commercial innovation.

One of the practical sessions focused on understanding the research funding landscape. Researchers explored how research funding decisions are made before taking part in a hands-on grant review workshop. Working in groups, participants assessed real grant proposals, discussed their strengths and weaknesses, and considered how reviewers evaluate scientific ideas, impact, feasibility, and value for money. This practical exercise offered a new perspective on proposal writing and highlighted the importance of clear communication in securing research funding.

As the summer school concluded, one message stood out above all others: there is no single route from a PhD into industry. The skills developed during doctoral research, including critical thinking, problem-solving, resilience, and communication are highly transferable and valued across a wide range of careers.

A huge thank you to all our speakers for delivering such an informative and engaging summer school. We hope our SoCoBio researchers leave with some new knowledge, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections.