Biophysical Society Newsletter | June 2017

6

2017

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

JUNE

National Science Board on Career Opportunities for PhDs The National Science Board (NSB) released a policy brief featuring an interactive infographic that allows users to see the number of doctorates employed in business, government, and academic jobs and how career paths change over time. Users can examine career outcomes by field, gender, and career stage. According to the data, of those hold- ing a PhD in biochemistry or biophysics, 79% are engaged in research and development 5–9 years after obtaining their degree, 56% are engaged 10–14 years out, and 91% are engaged 15+ years out. “We need to exorcise the notion that those who get a PhD in a science, engineering, or health field are limited to an academic career,” said Geraldine Richmond, Chair of NSB’s National Science

and Engineering Policy Committee and lead in developing the brief. “The data show incredibly diverse jobs that PhD holders are in across all employment sectors. It’s our hope that this brief helps raise awareness in students and faculty about the rich and varied career paths that these doctor- ates can take.” The brief and infographic can be accessed at https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/sei/infographic2/#nsb- statement. Are You Running for Office? There has been a push for scientists to get in- volved civically the last several years and chatter indicates that many are taking that plunge. Let us know if you are running for an elected posi- tion — school board, city council, state legislator, or Congress! Send information to Ellen Weiss at eweiss@biophysics.org.

The Biophysical Society blog has an archive of over 40 articles offering career advice for biophysicists. Numbers By the