Margot Khouri
Senior Business Development Specialist at IQVIAThere are so many opportunities out there. Planning every step carefully is crucial, taking the next step in a timely manner is essential.
A collection of profiles of people who have made the transition from academia to industry.
Explore a collection of profiles from researchers pursuing careers beyond academia.
This website is edited by a group of DPhil students and researchers connected to Oxford University.
See how you can contribute to the Research Careers: Options Beyond Academia project.
Such diversity in potential roles can prove challenging when exploring your options. This collection of career profiles enables you to see what others in your position chose to do, why and how they made the move, and what they most enjoy about their job. You will get a feel for their daily activities, workplace culture and work-life balance.Top tip: Look out for authors’ insights into which skills developed during or after their PhD proved helpful in getting their job, and performing well there. You’ll be encouraged to see how people are building on their research expertise to thrive in newer roles.And don’t miss the “employer bio” at the end of each career profile for careers opportunities in each organisation.
There are so many opportunities out there. Planning every step carefully is crucial, taking the next step in a timely manner is essential.
Don’t be concerned about leaving academia; there are many opportunities outside of academia which offer the same challenges but with greater rewards.
I wish I had known how many other people leave academia and are happy with their decision.
Having a PhD does not necessarily tie you to jobs in your field of study; on the contrary, it opens doors to many opportunities.
Keep an open mind and don’t be averse to taking the leap. There’s a saying in Hindi, “Udaan bharne ke liye, chalang lanaga zaroori hain”, which loosely translates to if you want to learn how to fly/soar, you have to first jump!
On reflection, I’m not sure my aim was ever to remain in academia!
Working with such an amazing collection and with world experts. Being able to combine my interests in science, Egyptology, and heritage.
I felt it offered a perfect way to combine my skills – science and writing. Translating complex topics into clear, compelling storytelling really appealed to me as it had been how I approached writing my thesis.
I had heard that industrial science can be quite restrictive, that you don’t have the freedom to follow interesting science as you do in academia. It may be that I have been lucky in my role, but I have had quite a lot of freedom to investigate what I believe may be interesting biology.
Your degree is more than just academic skills, it’s an opportunity to try out a range of new activities. Do it – you never know what will come in handy!
Make the university PhD experience a whole one – study hard, but talk to people and engage, if possible, with the community you live in.
A favourite part of my job is feeling like I’m doing something really impactful.
The views and opinions expressed in these profiles are those of the individual writer and not of the editorial team, the Careers Service, or other members of the University of Oxford.
If you’re a DPhil student or member of research staff at the University of Oxford, you can join the editorial team! Please contact us to find out more.