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LIFE AFTER GSBS

Job Prospects for Biomedical Scientists

Much has been written recently about the keen competition for jobs available to scientists in academia, industry and other employment sectors. However, the faculty and administration of this Graduate School are confident that the broad and flexible UT-H GSBS curriculum and the world-class biomedical research environment of the Texas Medical Center afford our graduates the opportunity to compete successfully among this country's elite young scientists for careers in traditional research settings.

We also recognize and encourage those students seeking careers in non-traditional areas such as patent law, scientific consulting, science journalism, etc. upon completion of their research training. To assist those graduates in their career planning, the UT-H GSBS maintains a variety of programs that expose our students to scientists who work in areas other than academic research.

Career Options for GSBS Graduates

Career Development and Employment Opportunities -- a GSBS page with information for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the areas of financial support, career development, and employment opportunities

"Biotech industry's growth yields new career options" -- an excerpt from an article appearing in the
Houston Chronicle

Career Training Opportunities in GSBS

  • Teaching Assistantships -- In order to provide students with training and experience in teaching, GSBS makes available two types of Teaching Assistantships: TA's in graduate-level courses in GSBS and TA's in undergraduate courses at the University of Houston-Downtown. These teaching opportunities are optional (not required for the degree) and the compensation for the teaching is provided by the Graduate School.

  • Surviving in Science -- The purpose of this course is to provide students with skills for surviving in the sciences. In this regard, the following topics will be covered: (a) manuscript preparation, (b) preparing for an oral scientific presentation, (c) career advancement, (d) grants - funding sources and what reviewers look for, (e) preparing for a job interview, and (f) various career opportunities.

  • Internships -- In the fall semester, HSA&W will sponsor one GSBS student for a 10-12 week internship in patent law and intellectual property law. The student intern will work closely with the HSA&W legal staff to gain firsthand experience in patent prosecution and litigation support. The firm has a number of technical advisors who are not formally trained in law but have advanced degrees in science or engineering. Thus, the student intern will gain a perspective on patent law as a career for biomedical scientists.

  • JobNet -- The purpose of the GSBS JobNet is to maximize communication between Ph.D. candidates/recent Ph.D. recipients and investigators in the Houston area who have postdoctoral positions available. M.S. candidates are also welcome to seek research positions on the JobNet. Faculty and research positions in area institutions are also posted.

  • Invited Speakers -- GSBS periodically invites outside speakers to provide information about career opportunities available to our graduates. Previous lecturers have describec careers in industry/business, military research laboratories, small teaching institutions and patent law. That support for these speakers has been provided by the UTHSC Office of Research and Academic Affairs reflects the commitment by this University to assist students seeking a variety of career paths.

GSBS Alumni

In seeking information about "Life After GSBS," it is probably more useful to focus on the careers and characteristics of GSBS alumni themselves rather than the experiences of all biomedical science graduates in the U.S. Over 1,000 students have graduated from GSBS since the School began in 1963. The Alumni Association Home Page provides a directory of the alumni and describes, through several surveys, their career experiences and their satisfaction with their training at GSBS and their careers.

A comprehensive data base of all GSBS alumni was developed over the past year. Analyses are under way to determine the current employment patterns and the career progressions of the alumni.