Beyond the Professoriate

Beyond the Professoriate is the only online professional development training platform for graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and PhDs that helps them successfully transition into academic or nonacademic careers. This research-driven platform is informed by nearly a decade of experience supporting PhDs to launch new careers with their skills and training. Trusted by 60+ institutions (and growing), Beyond Prof’s Career Training Platform helps grad students and PhDs leverage their education into meaningful careers, whether in academia or beyond the professoriate. Access the platform is free with UNC’s institutional subscription.

Company Directories

NCBiotech Company Directory – A comprehensive directory covering life sciences companies across the entire state of North Carolina. It includes 860 core life sciences companies employing 76,000 people, as well as 2,500 additional companies that support or are related to the sector, making it a valuable resource for postdocs exploring biotech careers throughout the state.

RTP Company Directory – A searchable directory of companies specifically located in Research Triangle Park, one of the largest research and innovation hubs in the United States. It includes a diverse range of organizations across sectors such as life sciences, technology, business services, and scientific research, providing a broad view of potential employers and collaborators within the park.

BioPharmGuy – A comprehensive, regularly updated online directory of global biotech companies. It provides detailed information on over 12,000 companies and allows users to explore them by location, from U.S. regions and states to countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond, as well as by startup year or corporate status (e.g., acquired, merged, defunct)

Non-Faculty Career – Useful Articles

• A transition from postdoc to industry (Science)
• Careers at nonprofits and NGOs (Science)
• Industry postdocs – The road less traveled (Science)
• Industry scientists are often misunderstood. Here’s why I chose this path (Science)
• Finding a chemical postdoc position in industry (Chemical & Engineering News)
• Seven popular bioinformatics careers (Northeastern University)

Postdoctoral Programs in Industry

Postdoctoral programs in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies offer valuable opportunities for researchers to apply their scientific expertise in industry settings. These programs provide structured training, mentorship, and exposure to translational research that bridges academic discovery with real-world innovation.

This list was compiled by the UNC Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to help postdocs explore diverse career paths and identify postdoctoral opportunities in leading biotech, pharmaceutical, and technology organizations worldwide. Program availability and details are subject to change; please consult each organization’s website for the most current information.

AbbVie Postdoctoral Program

AbbVie’s postdoctoral program supports early-career scientists to conduct discovery and translational research under the mentorship of industry scientists. Fellows typically work across therapeutic areas such as oncology and immunology and are encouraged to publish and present their work. The program emphasizes training that bridges fundamental science and patient-focused product development to prepare fellows for careers in industry or academia.

Amazon Postdoctoral Science Program

Amazon’s postdoctoral program places fellows within research teams where they tackle scientific and technical problems relevant to Amazon’s research agenda, including AI, machine learning, and computational approaches for life-science challenges. Fellows collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and have access to large-scale computational resources and data infrastructure. The program is designed to accelerate research impact and cultivate leaders who can translate science into product or foundational research.

Amgen Postdoctoral Program

Amgen’s postdoctoral program provides early-career scientists the opportunity to engage in discovery and translational research across multiple therapeutic areas. Fellows work alongside experienced researchers in laboratory and cross-functional team settings, with structured mentorship and professional development. The program aims to develop scientists who can move research toward therapeutic applications in industry or academia.

Biogen Worldwide Medical PhD Fellowship

Biogen’s two‑year fellowship offers recent PhD graduates a hands‑on introduction to medical affairs and the biotech industry, with rotational experiences through multiple functional areas. Fellows explore roles within Biogen’s Worldwide Medical unit and may choose a rotation outside medical affairs to broaden their skill set. The program prepares participants for career paths bridging science, medical strategy, and industry leadership.

Bristol Myers Squibb Advanced Degree Programs

Bristol Myers Squibb offers postdoctoral and advanced-degree programs that immerse fellows in translational and drug-discovery research, with a focus on oncology, immunology, and related therapeutic areas. Participants receive mentoring, access to company technologies, and opportunities to contribute to interdisciplinary project teams. The programs emphasize career development and preparing fellows for scientific roles in industry.

Calico Labs Postdoctoral Fellowship

Calico Labs hosts postdoctoral fellows focused on basic and translational research into the biology of aging and longevity. Fellows work on projects in genetics, molecular biology, and computational biology, often with a long-term view toward understanding aging mechanisms. The fellowship provides close mentorship, access to specialized technology, and an exploratory research environment.

Cytokinetics Postdoctoral Fellows Program

Cytokinetics offers postdoctoral fellowships to early‑career scientists interested in muscle biology, drug discovery, and translational research in neuromuscular and cardiovascular diseases. Fellows work on independent or team‑based projects within the company’s research environment, with access to specialized technologies and mentoring. The program aims to equip scientists with industry‑relevant experience and a clear pathway into biotech research careers.

Eli Lilly Postdoctoral Program

Eli Lilly’s postdoctoral opportunities place fellows in discovery and translational research projects, with emphasis on therapeutic development and mechanistic science. Fellows receive mentorship, integrate with project teams, and often gain exposure to drug-development processes and cross-functional collaboration. The program is designed to train scientists for industrial research careers.

Genentech Postdoctoral Program

Genentech’s postdoctoral program engages recent PhD graduates in biomedical research that supports drug discovery and translational science, spanning areas such as oncology and immunology. Fellows take part in collaborative projects with access to internal resources, professional development, and mentorship from established scientists. The program aims to help fellows build scientific leadership and pursue careers in industry or academia.

Gilead Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Gilead’s postdoctoral fellowship provides PhD graduates with immersive research training in drug discovery and development at a company dedicated to bringing innovative medicines to people living with life‑threatening diseases. Fellows perform high‑impact scientific work, often aligned with Gilead’s therapeutic focus areas, under mentorship and in a collaborative industrial research setting. The program is designed to develop future scientific leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Postdoctoral R&D Program

GSK’s postdoctoral R&D opportunities place fellows within teams working on drug discovery, translational science, and applied research across therapeutic areas. Fellows receive structured mentoring, training in industrial research practices, and opportunities to contribute to multidisciplinary projects. The program emphasizes skills that support careers in pharmaceutical research and development.

Johnson & Johnson Postdoctoral Program

Johnson & Johnson offers postdoctoral positions across its research and innovation units, where fellows engage in translational science and technology development. Participants work on project teams with access to J&J’s broad scientific network and resources, gaining exposure to both discovery and development phases. The program supports professional growth toward roles in industry research or related areas.

Merck Postdoctoral Program

Merck’s postdoctoral program provides opportunities for fellows to contribute to discovery and applied research projects, including areas such as immuno-oncology and disease modeling. Fellows are mentored by experienced scientists and often engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations that mirror industrial R&D workflows. The program is aimed at equipping postdocs with skills for careers in pharma and biotech.

Novo Nordisk Postdoctoral Program

Novo Nordisk’s postdoctoral opportunities focus on metabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity, as well as rare disease research areas. Fellows work within research teams on projects ranging from basic biology to translational therapeutic development, supported by mentorship and training. The program aims to prepare scientists for careers that address metabolic and endocrine disorders.

Novartis Postdoctoral Program

Novartis’ postdoctoral fellowships place early-career scientists within the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research to pursue multi-year projects in drug discovery across biology, chemistry, and computational science. Fellows receive mentorship, access to advanced platforms, and opportunities for professional development and cross-disciplinary rotations. The program emphasizes producing impactful science and preparing fellows for leadership roles in translational research.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Program

Pfizer’s postdoctoral program supports fellows performing research in disease biology, therapeutics, and computational approaches that inform drug development. Participants are integrated into project teams, receive mentorship from experienced scientists, and participate in structured training and career development. The program aims to translate basic research into potential therapeutic strategies and to develop industry scientists.

Precigen Postdoctoral Program

Precigen’s postdoctoral opportunities focus on gene and cell therapy research, offering fellows hands-on experience in developing and advancing engineered biologics. Fellows work within translational teams that bridge discovery science and clinical application, gaining exposure to manufacturing considerations and regulatory contexts. The program provides mentorship aimed at preparing scientists for careers in advanced therapeutics.

Regeneron Postdoctoral Training Program

Regeneron’s postdoctoral training places fellows in research groups that use modern genetic, genomic, and antibody-discovery platforms to advance therapeutic programs. Fellows contribute to high-impact projects, have access to company technology platforms, and receive mentorship and professional development. The program is designed to cultivate scientists able to drive translational research within industry settings.

The Roche Postdoctoral Fellowship (RPF) Programme

Roche’s postdoctoral opportunities enable fellows to engage in translational research, often collaborating across discovery, clinical, and diagnostic teams. Fellows benefit from mentorship, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and project work that spans from mechanistic studies to potential clinical applications. The program supports scientific development for careers in pharma and biotech.

Sanofi Postdoctoral Program

Sanofi’s postdoctoral positions place fellows in biopharmaceutical research with emphasis on areas such as immunology and rare diseases. Fellows work within multidisciplinary teams and receive mentorship, training, and opportunities to contribute to translational projects. The program aims to build scientific skills applicable to therapeutic research and development.

Takeda Postdoctoral Program

Takeda’s postdoctoral opportunities offer fellows projects in therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and rare diseases, with an emphasis on translating discoveries into clinical candidates. Fellows work with experienced scientists in collaborative, cross-functional environments and receive professional development. The program prepares researchers for industrial careers focused on patient-oriented drug development.

Vertex Postdoctoral Program

Vertex’s postdoctoral and fellows programs focus on genetic diseases, precision medicine, and drug discovery, enabling early-career scientists to join translational research teams. Fellows receive intensive training, mentorship, and hands-on experience in advancing programs from biology toward clinical development. The program is designed to develop scientists with expertise in therapeutic innovation for genetic disorders.