From Scientists to Innovators for Industry: An European Program Addressing the Workforce Challenge in the Pharma Industry

Pharmaceutical companies play a key role in both the global and health economy. However, the sector is facing a number of challenges, including talent shortages. A majority of businesses have employees who are not fully proficient to perform their job at the required level, and many struggle to find qualified people. And universities focus on scientific curricula mostly geared toward a career in academia. To bridge this gap, it is imperative for academia, industry, and governments to collaborate with the mutual aim of equipping emerging talents with the necessary skills to cultivate a workforce of professionals that can effectively translate academic and industrial research into societal impact, which is exactly the aim of the program “From Scientists to Innovators for Industry” (SCI FI). We operate under the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) Health umbrella, and the program supports early career researchers to transition from academic research to working in the life sciences and pharmaceutical industry. The program, prepared by 11 academic and 7 nonacademic partners, offers seven core modules that cover transferable skills. Participants work in teams with mentors from industry on case studies. After two editions, already over 25% of almost 250 early career researchers from over 30 countries have transferred to industry. This is a very significant result considering the fact that almost half of the PhD candidates are willing to move to the private sector and industry within 10 years after their graduation. The SCI FI example shows that a more hands-on approach, based on real-life challenges, and direct cooperation with industry can significantly contribute to an effective career change.