News
Breaking Barriers: Postdocs Lead the Conversation on Industry Careers
A well-attended event exploring how scientists can transition to careers in industry took place last week, thanks to funding from the Wellcome Trust Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) programme
Published on 3 June 2025
Part of the Breaking Barriers programme at the University, the Breaking Barriers for Long-Term Postdocs project was proposed and applied for by postdoctoral researchers in response to the challenges often faced by researchers seeking careers beyond academia.
Their grassroots proposal successfully secured funding to support this event, which aimed to connect the postdoc community with local industry leaders and recruiters.
Exhibitors included Entrust Resource Solutions, BioDundee, University of Dundee, Careers Service, Inizio Medical. Elevator, and Glen Cova Scientific.
Bringing the community together
Held in partnership with the School of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, and BioDundee, the event featured a panel discussion chaired by Dr Mhairi Towler (Researcher Advancement and Culture Manager, RIS), followed by an exhibition and networking session.
Panellists included:
- Austin Clark, Founder, Entrust Resource Solutions
- Dr Lara Bennett and Hayley Deasley, AMICULUM
- Mathew Stanley, Outrun Therapeutics Ltd
Discussions covered personal career journeys, the realities of industry roles, and what recruiters look for in experienced researchers.
The panel was followed by lively Q&A and informal networking with local organisations.
Event attendee
A grassroots win for research culture
This event is a direct result of the Wellcome Trust’s IFRC Breaking Barriers Programme, which provides funding for grassroots ideas designed to remove structural and cultural obstacles to research careers.
By placing ownership in the hands of those most affected, the programme fosters meaningful change from the ground up.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees highlighting the value of honest insights, the chance to speak directly with employers, and the sense of community created by postdocs for postdocs.