You’re thinking about a career in R&D. How do you get started?

1) Get a PhD in your field and ... 2) Get a degree or diploma in Finance or at least, go through a formal course in money management. If you don't know how to obtain and manage the money needed for your research, you will get nowhere in R&D. 4) Understand the importance of deliverables. If you cannot translate your research work into a tangible benefit, then no one will fund you. 3) Most important, learn how to manage people, especially those who provide the money you need for your research!

1) get a PhD and do it with all your love and energy. DO not look at it like a job. Look at it like your own business. 2) apply for R&D position. 3) make sure the interviewer knows your value.

With respect to Pharmaceutical R & D, one has to be an expert in any one field of Chemistry, Pharmaceuticals, and further specialization in Synthesis, Formulation, Analytical methods, IPR, QA, QC, RA or Project Management to shine as R & D Scientist. And overall basic knowledge of patents/regulatory (IP/FDA) of major countries/regions is required. R & D requires combination of technical, analytical, and creative skills, and problem-solving capability by experimentation, testing, analyzing, data interpretation, critical thinking, etc. Also, soft skills, like good observation, presentation, communication, teamwork, and leadership are required.

If I am a Fresher, will choose to join a Organization with vast R&D Scope and spend at least 6-8 years to learn and contribute. Then move for different but related Verticals......

There may be different field areas for different individual. But R&D perspective is same for all. First of all need to identify the core of research in your specialized field and make plans to work on it..

I would emphasize pursuing an advanced degree in a scientific discipline. This is a requirement for most managerial positions and lack of a degree will seriously limit your opportunities for career advancement.

Agreed. One thing with all above points the individual must have fondness and attraction to this field. Than he/she may excel in R&D with interest and thrill. Individual must be updated with upcoming technology and trends. Must visit all product and Machine exhibitions to explore new ideas and innovations.

R&D thinking goes hand to hand with the skills of collaboration, communication, design thinking, innovation, strategic thinking, planning, identifying risks and resolve problems, and other. R&D work is mainly being done by a group of people rather than individuals, so the above skills are not only required but are necessary to develop a solid R&D mindset. As for the scientific knowledge and the principles i believe that it is a common sense requirement.

I have been blessed to be a part of an RnD team with some of the greatest minds on the planet (Stanford Phds, Fullbright scholars). Here’s what I think are the 3 basic requirements. 1) Your education background must somehow be connected to your RnD function. 2) Your career experience must be based on Equipment Engg or Process Engg for you to run experiments and trials. 3) An Agile mindset. It’s a new concept to some but its been widely used in RnD. Agile depends on 3 key principles - flexibility, collaboration, and iterative progress. It’s the best method to develop any RnD project based on my experience.

After knowing what you want to solve and what motivates you. It is important to build skills, look for the skills you'll need in the area this can be from personal motives or what others say about the field. Transferable skills are also very important such as communication, team working, collaboration, time management, grant writing, pitching etc. take your time and learn these skills

The more you are being involved in R&D the more you learn, this is 100% guaranteed. More challanges result in more problem solving skills and a wider sense of R&D approaches. You can enhance your R&D experience from your early career steps by participating to innovation competitions, hackathons, innovation academies etc. Personally, that helped me a lot. Also, i truly believe that building business skills is also part of a successful R&D career.

Practical involvement in real life scenarios that require solutions often guide one in measuring there interest in R&D. These real life applications of ones curiosity to solutions in the field is by far the best place to start . Eventually a series of events in different set ups results in accessing where to start. Submerge yourself in internship opportunities in the desired field of interest, or co-op with different Gurus in your field of interest and gain more experience before deciding on what to invest an education in.

Actually experience of R&D is not game for one day, it's continue and new thing to do on next day. Individual must do best to learn new things and challanges. Which build new confidence everyday to take smart decisions. This experience make you capable and expert to you for any kind of job enlargement etc.

La experiencia práctica ganada en el campo o en el lugar donde se dé los procesos es vital para la gestión de proyectos exitosos en investigación y desarrollo. En ocasiones la solicitud o la idea inicial para satisfacer la necesidad adquiere una forma y un enfoque distinto al aterrizarla en la realidad del proceso, surgen ideas de mejora y se dise?a un proceso o producto más eficiente para la organización.

One of the best options for gaining experience is to enter the quality control laboratories in any company. Once you know the raw materials on the market and the product, the next step can be to rely on commercial support to find out the needs of the market. It is at this point where we already have market, product and formulation experience that allows us to develop R&D&I ideas.

As a university dropout who went on to complete a PhD and is currently working as a postdoc at MIT, I've learned firsthand that a PhD or postdoc isn't mandatory for R&D positions. However, going through all of this structured training will undoubtedly make you much better equipped to deal with the challenges that often come with these roles. So, if you are interested in R&D, give some serious thought to an advanced technical thesis-based graduate degree that will help you achieve your goal!

Earning my Ph.D. has significantly altered the way I approach various tasks, instilling in me the ability to connect disparate elements for innovative outcomes. After spending several years in research and development (R&D), I transitioned to the Solar Energy Corporation of India, a non-R&D organization. Proudly, I can attest that my Ph.D. played a pivotal role in enabling me to contribute meaningfully and introduce innovations within this new professional context. In conclusion, I firmly believe that a Ph.D. can bring a unique perspective to any career, enhancing one's ability to innovate and make a positive impact.

The highest R&D involvement i got was from my PhD. PhDs are undervalued and outdated for some CEOs/managers. This is wrong, a PhD is the highest form of specialised R&D and it is not only from the scientific/engineering aspect but also from the management point of view. In R&D teams usually people forget the "Research" part and go straight to the "Development" part which is absolutely disastrous.

La educación es fundamental para alcanzar cualquier meta. Yo siempre recomiendo estar al día de las formaciones que se ofrecen dentro de las asociaciones del sector, que suelen estar muy relacionadas con las actividades que se desarrollan en los puestos de trabajo más relevantes. Te preparará para reunir las skills necesarias para el puesto deseado.

It is not only important to advance in education through a doctorate, but life in the company in R&D&I is not only about being a researcher, but also about being able to be a Director of R&D&I, Technical Director, CTO or Project Manager, for which it is important to be trained with a broader perspective beyond the chosen field of expertise, which is essential to start in these positions.

To showcase your portfolio for a career in R&D, start by highlighting your research projects and outcomes. Create a dynamic online portfolio showcasing your methodologies, findings, and innovations. Demonstrate your problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to drive results. Network with professionals in the field, attend industry events, and seek mentorship opportunities. Lastly, tailor your portfolio to the specific role or company you're targeting, emphasizing your relevance and potential impact. Ready to make your mark in R&D! ????

Compartir tus ideas con otros a través de diferentes plataformas es un buen ejercicio, te permite contar con comentarios que pueden enriquecer tu trabajo, pero es importante no desanimarse con críticas destructivas, especialmente en una etapa temprana de investigación. Todo punto de vista es válido, por lo que merece ser evaluado en su propio mérito.

A well-crafted portfolio is key to launching a career in R&D, showcasing your expertise, project diversity, and achievements. It highlights the scope and impact of your work across academic, private, and B2B projects, serving as a vital complement to your resume. This concise tool not only demonstrates your capabilities to potential clients, partners, and recruiters but also aids in assessing and presenting your professional journey efficiently.

This can be a difficult challenge as R&D is often bound by non-disclosure agreements. Because of this, I am not able to showcase some of my best achievements. So what does one do in this situation? Be the person that others can rely on to solve the tough problems and your reputation will grow and spread. This is where word of mouth and relationships can make up the difference. Slow and steady wins this race.

Exploring your passion within specific areas like technology or healthcare, followed by building both technical expertise and soft skills. Gain practical knowledge through internships or research opportunities, consider relevant higher education, and network while showcasing your work through a portfolio or open-source contributions.

Starting in R&D is about knowing your field, learning skills, getting hands-on experience, pursuing education, showcasing your work, exploring options, and staying open to change.

I totally agree with this statement. Never settle into one R&D landscape, try several R&D roles. This will allow you to understand R&D process through a various points of view, allowing you also to explore your strengths in each position as well as finding where you can offer (add) value the most.

Specialisation is the key. Once specialised in a field, the company or organisation must work under the "Expanded Enterprise" approach, involving customers and suppliers in the research and development process, which allows this process to lead to an innovative product or service. Involving downstream and upstream parties is key.

If you consider different perspectives to impact commercial success, then pursuing research and development is worthwhile. Collaborating with diverse minds is crucial because individual brilliance may have limited results.

The biggest thing to learn is to never give up or back down, learn from the failures embrace them, build on them and become better day by day. The hustle will eventually pay

Be willing to accept failure whether it's by your own hand or as a group It could take multiple different tests or even multiple repeated tests to nail down the right conditions or parameters. Even then, it may only be one unit operation in a whole circuit

Reading technical and scientific information from special newsletters, magazines and papers will help to broaden and support your mind capabilities and skills.