Career Profiles
What do you want to do when you grow up? We're sure you've been asked this question time and time again and it is certainley not an easy one to answer. We created this page to help you determine your future and provide some information about the possibilities out there. It is important to note that there are several other careers that are not included here, and each career snapshot is meant to provide a generalized outlook into its roles and skills required. If you find one that is interesting, make sure to look into specific qualifications and next steps you can take right now to help you pursue this career.
Applications Scientist
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Provide technical support for life science companies, direct clients to proper applications of products and develop protocols and resources for customer usage. Can also visit research institutions to demonstrate and educate about new scientific technologies.
Strong troubleshooting skills to solve technical problems, collaboration with team for product development, communication skills to best serve client’s needs. PhD helps you stand out, but MSc can suffice depending on product/service.
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (ex. Presentations, TMM 4950 Science communication), building basis for problem solving and troubleshooting.
Bioinformatician
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Integration of scientific knowledge and information technology to analyze and interpret data to answer key biological questions. Tasks often include developing systems, databases, and methodologies which can be used to analyze biological data.
Strong background in biology and familiarity with bioinformatic and statistical software. Experience with programming (R, Java, Matlab, etc.). Strong communication skills to effectively convey the meaning of analyses.
Develop extensive communication skills, sound understanding of biological processes and ability to interpret their significance in a real life setting, opportunities to take courses on high throughput analyses, bioinformatics, statistical analyses troubleshooting skills to solve technical problems, collaboration with team for product development, communication skills to best serve client’s needs. PhD helps you stand out, but MSc can suffice depending on product/service.
Business Development Manager
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Actively look for new business opportunities. Roles in licensing, market planning, reaching out to clients, proposing new business developments.
Require a research basis to form strategic partnerships, knowledge in identifying new markets and strong writing skills for drafting proposals. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills for maintenance of client relationships.
Develop ability to highlight key takeaways from large amounts of information, sound understanding of using this information to apply it to relevant problems.
Clinician Scientist (MD-PhD)
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Balance of both an academic research program with their clinical practice. Involvement in development of clinical presentation and treatment of disease.
Several pathways can be taken: Completion of PhD before medical training, complete PhD during medical training (MD/PhD programs), complete PhD during medical training (MD/PhD program), or complete PhD during residency/fellowships.
Program is based on learning science principles in the context of diseases, different types of research explored like molecular and cellular which can be applicable to develop therapies.
Commercialization Advisors/Technology Transfer
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Involves working with researchers to help with commercialization of new products and protocols, like aiding the process of translating lab findings beyond the bench through proposals and pitches.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Able to strategize different approaches. Adaptability and versatility to comprehend different scientific concepts in which you may have no background in. PhD students gain experience from writing grants and proposals. MSc students can transition to patient or technology transfer roles, and can complete MBA as an additional asset.
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (Ex. Presenting your research in compelling manner), develop ability to extract relevant information from large amounts of data and summarize unfamiliar topic, heavy focus on translation beyond the bench.
Data Scientist
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Perform analyses of large datasets to draw conclusions. Typically use programming to develop simulations integrated with knowledge of statistical methods for trend identification.
Experience with programming (R, Python, Java, SQL, MatLab). Knowledge of analytical techniques (ex. Machine learning, deep learning, etc.). Strong communication and summarizing skills with ability to convert data into effective visuals.
Opportunities to take courses on high throughput analyses, bioinformatics, statistical analyses, multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills
Epidemiologist
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of various diseases and outbreaks within a population or demographic. Involves collecting and analyzing epidemiological data in the context of current health issues allows to prevent and control disease transmission.
Ability to perform statistical analyses and trend identification. Strong communication skills for presentation of findings. Minimum education required is MSc in Epidemiology or Public Health.
Focus on study of disease at cellular and molecular levels, opportunities to take courses on bioinformatics, statistical analyses, and introduction to epidemiology (example: TMM4104 - Probability and Statistics for Molecular Medicine and Genomics). develop critical thinking in context of research.
Genetic Counselling
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Work closely with patients and clinicians to investigate disease processes by offering genetic insight. Tasks include analyzing genetic test results and information (ex. pedigrees) to determine transmission of disease and counselling patients in making informed decisions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Background in genetics used to interpret genetic results and understand genetic conditions. Complete MSc in a Genetic Counseling training program, with possible subspecialties (ex. prenatal, cardiac etc.). PhD not required unless there is interest in continuing with a research program.
Focus on study of molecular basis of diseases and inheritance, multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (example: Presentations, TMM 4950 Science communication).
HealthcareInvestment Banking/Venture Capitalist
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Determine whether a potential business investment will be profitable for the client. Tasks include performing financial and market analysis and meeting with companies to determine if they should receive investment as a venture capitalist. Investment banking includes negotiations with companies, working with management, and finding new companies.
Experience in commercial settings (ex. positions in business development). Fundamental understanding of financial and business concepts. Strong background in life science for specialization in healthcare. Variable in terms of career path. PhD and/or MBA can add value to an application, but an MSc can work with the right amount of experience.
Builds technical background in life sciences, learn about translational research with focus on newest therapies and technologies.
Medical Science Liaison
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Specialized roles in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. Involves consulting with researchers and clinicians to ensure products are being used effectively. Inform about developments in field and work with marketing reps for accurate promotion.
Strong science communication skills toward appropriate audience. Solid background in life sciences. Clinical research is an asset. Required to have some doctoral degree (ex. PhD, PharmD, MD).
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (example: Presentations, TMM 4950 Science communication, exposed to wide range of research topics including subfields for specializations.
Patent Agent/Attorney
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Advocate for protection of research findings and intellectual properties. Main tasks include procuring a patent for a client's product, determining whether it is suitable for patent application, and can have application of research findings to law.
Ability to perform extensive research and literature search. Strong communication skills. JD not required to work as patent agent but needed to represent clients in litigation (in court). PhD generally required but BSc or MSc with JD can be another path. Need to take a qualifying exam.
Develop research and analytical skills, ability to extract relevant information from large amounts of data, focus on cellular and molecular processes and biotechnological approaches (to assess whether patent should be allocated).
Product Management
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Oversee a product from when it is first developed to after it is launched. Continual assessment of market needs and projection of how products will do commercially. Active collaboration to improve marketing of products. Provide solutions for research or pharmaceutical needs.
Highly organized and multi-tasking individual. Strong communication and leadership skills, along with critical thinking. Generally PhD needed but MSc can work if relevant experiences assist entry. Experience in sales, technical services, or a medical science liaison to understand consumer base is valued.
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (example: Presentations, TMM 4950 Science communication, build diverse knowledge in science and research required as background for market needs.
Project Management Consulting
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Specialized form of management consulting involved with health/life science corporations. Tasks include assistance with solving business management problems for companies such as pharmaceutical or biotechnology.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Analytical and critical thinking to propose solutions. Having a PhD is a major asset although a MSc can potentially be enough depending on the job. Background in business is an asset.
Develop ability to screen large amounts of literature (for papers/presentations), opportunity of rotation projects build critical thinking skills.
Research and Development Scientist
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Research focusing on developing new products or adapting existing ones for relevant needs of the market. Tasks involve developing prototypes of new technological equipment or for pharmaceutical companies, drug development.
Experience in laboratory settings. Strong data interpretation and troubleshooting skills. MSc required, and PhD makes application more competitive.
Heavy focus on translational research and experience in lab through rotations, develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
Scientist Journalism
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Share interesting fields of science and information from members of the public. Create content via blogs or other online mediums, or draft articles for major news corporations like CBC/magazines.
Strong writing and communication skills. Ability to effectively summarize and communicate complex concepts. Available dedicated undergraduate and graduate programs for science journalism, but not required in general. Practical experience and portfolio are essential.
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills, develop ability to present complex science information to different audiences (ex. Lay audiences).
Science Policy Analyst
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Advocate for institutions of policies grounded in science and research. Connect the world of politics and science to improve fields of science education.
Strong writing and communication skills. Ability to communicate complex concepts to lay audiences. Critical thinking skills for analysis of arguments.
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (presentation and written), exposure to field of translational research and academia.
Scientific Editing and Publishing
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Work with journals to decide which papers to accept for publication. Tasks also include mediating interaction between authors and reviewers, editing, proofing, designing journal covers, marketing of journals.
Strong writing and communication skills. High detail orientation and critical thinking skills. PhDs are sought after due to familiarity with the process.
Multiple opportunities to develop science communication skills (presentation and written), critical thinking and analysis developed via rotations, proposal writing, reading multiple papers.
Scientific and Medical Illustrator
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Take complex concepts and model them into visual representations. This can also include animations or interactive media. Tasks also include proofing and editing, cross-referencing, collaboration with lawyers to assist in court explanations.
Experience with graphic design software (ex. Adobe). Keen attention to detail. A BSc and depending on type of illustration, specialization may be required (ex. Life sciences/zoology). MSc typically required, some graduate degree programs in biomedical communications can be taken.
Develop ability to survey dense literature and withdraw key topics, build background in life science topics.
Scientific/Medical Sales Representative
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Support customers and target future potential clients by introducing them to products/services of the company. Products can vary from biotechnology or biopharmaceuticals.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Background in science for better understanding of products. BSc, MSc, or PhD can all apply. Previous sales experience is an asset.
Focus on different topics within translational research, opportunities for working in laboratory research to develop troubleshooting skills.
Technical/Medical Writer or Communication Specialists
What is it?
What skills/qualifications would I need?
How can TMM help me pursue this career?
Create written reports, product support or training documents, press releases, brochures etc. Tasks include creating supporting documents for clients and training documents for staff. If involved with the corporate side, will be involved in creating a story to share with investors/key stakeholders.
Ability to concisely communicate scientific information. Strong science communication skills. Some graduate programs relate to science communications to help you stand out. Bsc can be enough , but you will need practical experience to a complement degree.
Opportunity to write several technical materials from assignments (ex. Proposal, paper structure), emphasis on development of science communication skills.