Interdisciplinary Job Opportunities for Biomedical Scientists (iJOBS)
Contact persons
Newark Health Science Campus: Dr. Doreen Badheka (doreen.badheka@rutgers.edu)
New Brunswick | Piscataway: Dr. Janet Alder (janet.alder@rutgers.edu)
About
In 2014 Rutgers became 1 of 17 schools in the country to be awarded an NIH Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) grant. Through this grant Rutgers established the iJOBS program. The iJOBS program is designed for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows. Through workshops, panel discussions, and primers, all attendees are introduced to a wide range of non-academic and academic careers. Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows can opt to take part in the specialized phase 2 of the iJOBS program to further their experience and training for a career in a specific field. Learn more about the phases of the iJOBS program below
Upcoming Events and Past Event Recordings
Career Paths
Through the iJOBS program, students have learned about the following career paths: Science & Health Policy, Intellectual Property, Research in Industry and Government, Clinical Trials & Regulatory Affairs, Contract Research Organizations, Health & Science Data Analysis, Finance and Equity Research, Entrepreneurial Science and Start-Ups, Medical Affairs, Science Writing and Communications, Science Education and Outreach, Non Profit Organizations, Consulting, Non-faculty Positions at Universities, Science Publishing, Venture Capital and Business Development, and Science Journalism.
Newark Health Science Campus students and postdoctoral fellows participating in the iJOBS program have careers in the following areas, to name a few: Industry research or industry postdoctoral fellowships, Business development, consulting and strategic alliances, Science writing and communication, Science Policy, Sales and marketing.
Below are the LinkedIn profiles of our students who participated in the Rutgers iJOBS program with their first positions in parenthesis:
Aysegul Guvenek (Postdoctoral Fellow at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)
Eric Himelman (Scientist I, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.)
Michelle Favre (Medical writer, Real Chemistry)
Juan M. Valdez Capuccino (Associate Consultant, Cello Health BioConsulting)
Raghav Sridhar (Senior Consultant, Guidehouse)
iJOBS program phases
The iJOBS program is structured as four phases. The first phase is open to all Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows. Phases two to four are specialized for students and postdoctoral fellows who opt to focus on a specific career path.
Phase 1 (iNQUIRE) programming is intended to lay the foundation for professional preparedness and provide insight into available non-academic career choices. Career panels, job simulations, company site visits, and networking events allow trainees to interact with professionals and be exposed to a number of different career tracts. Through the 35-hour SciPhD workshop, participants will learn the business, management, and communication skills essential to career success. Phase 1 program events are open to life science pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows, although capacity is limited for some activities. Registration is required for each event through the EventBrite link that opens 4 weeks prior to the event at 12 pm (click here to see all upcoming and past events. Programming is very flexible such that most events are a stand-alone activity and a trainee can sign up for as many or as few events as they wish.
Phase 2 (iNITIATE) brings with it focus on a specific career path as well as more commitment to the program. Participants formally apply to the iJOBS program at this phase so that they can benefit from additional services.
1) Trainees accepted to Phase 2 are matched to a professional in their area of interest to shadow in an unpaid, part-time externship for up to 72 hours spread out over a semester.
2) Trainees are also allowed to register for a course in an area that will increase their skill set beyond science such as business, law, policy, regulatory affairs, etc…
3) Finally, Phase 2 trainees complete an Individual Development Plan and get ongoing feedback on their progress.
Phase 2 Application: Trainees who wish to participate in phase 2 must acquire at least 12 hours of phase 1 activities prior to applying. Trainees will also need a personal statement, permission from their PI, and a letter of recommendation from the PI or another faculty member with whom you have a long-standing relationship. Applications are open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Graduate students must be in good academic standing (GPA > 3.0) and have completed the proposition qualifier. Postdocs can apply at any stage. Applications open each spring in April and programming begins the following September. Completion of Phase 1 and 2 components allows a trainee to obtain an Attestation of Completion Certificate from iJOBS.
Externships/shadowing: Please note that iJOBS does not organize or promote full-time internships. Instead, we offer externships/shadowing in Phase 2. iJOBS administration strongly suggests that if a trainee does want an internship that they talk to their faculty PI and get their permission BEFORE applying to the internship. Furthermore, students should be close to completing their degree/thesis prior to applying for an internship.
Phase 3 (iMPLEMENT) is intended to serve as a bridge between career focus and career placement, with preparation for the job search and employment for trainees who have been through Phase 2. Individualized resume and cover letter preparation, as well as interview practice and job searching tools, are provided.
Phase 4 (iNSTRUCT) is when iJOBS alumni are invited to give back to the program by becoming an industrial partner/mentor or friend to the program.
Additional resources:
iJOBS presentation by Dr. Janet Alder
iJOBS for Boiler Plate Description for Grants
iJOBS phase 2 application information (click the link and scroll down)