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Beyond The Lab: Real Scientist Stories

Beyond The Lab: Real Scientist Stories

Written by Alexandra-Teodora Szabo, PhD student in Mitochondrial Biogenesis at University of Tübingen

This article, written by Alexandra-Teodora Szabo, University of Tübingen, highlights inspiring stories about scientists who have taken their skills beyond the lab bench.

What Can You Do With a Degree in the Sciences?

A science degree doesn’t lock you into one path, but instead, opens doors to many. If you’re a student, PhD candidate, or postdoc wondering what comes next, you are not alone.

In this article, eight scientists share their real-world career journeys, ranging from clinical development, project management, and sustainability to illustration, coaching, and entrepreneurship. Some stayed close to the lab, while others took their skills far beyond it. All of them have built careers shaped by curiosity, purpose, and the drive to make an impact in science and beyond.

If you are figuring out what to do with your science background, their stories might help you find a starting point, or the confidence to take the next step.

1. Alba Ymr, PhD

My name is Alba, and I'm one of the many Albanians in Germany. I’ve always been driven by curiosity about how science can improve lives. After earning my master’s degree in biomedicine, I began a PhD in cardiovascular pharmacology but soon realized my passion lay in the translational side of science — where research becomes real treatment.

Today, I work in the biopharmaceutical industry as part of a clinical development team, acting as a key interface between GMP and GCP. I contribute to the successful release of investigational medicinal products (IMPs), making sure that promising new therapies reach the patients who need them.

Being part of this bridge — from lab to life — is where I’ve found my purpose.

2. Alda Sabalic, PhD

I have a PhD in biomedicine with a background in biophysics, and now I work as a coach helping STEM professionals make sense of their research, organize their ideas, and explain their work so it's clear — both to themselves and to others. I love working with people from all kinds of disciplines and learning how their fields work. My favorite part is helping them see how brilliant their work really is and making sure others can see it too.

3. Ayse Begum Yalcin, MSc

My name is Ayse, and I have a background in Pharmaceutical Sciences BSc and Drug Innovation MSc, and I’m currently a Business Development Manager at Wasteless Bio. In this role, I focus on driving circularity and sustainability within the life sciences industry. It’s all about strategy, adaptability, and building meaningful connections. The most rewarding part of my work has been advocating for sustainability and engaging with a global network of like-minded individuals, all united in the mission to push for more sustainable decisions in this industry.

4. Daria Chrobok, PhD

Hi, I am Daria, a scientific illustrator. After my PhD in plant physiology, I decided to start my own company and help others with their scientific visuals. As scientists we are not trained to adequately depicture what we do, so it makes sense to have someone help you with this task. It’s basically like outsourcing your sequencing because you don’t have the tools to do it yourself. ;)

What I like most about my job is the interaction with so many different scientists and also companies. I love to learn about what they do and throw my creative ideas into the mix and come up with a great illustration, a funny comic, a logo, or even realistic drawings. It’s the perfect combination of science and art!

As a scientific illustrator it’s super important to create a safe and trusting space and your people skills and communication skills need to be top-notch. These days an immaculate human factor is more and more important because in the end, people connect to people, and connection is something we all strive for! Also the most rational, logical, and data-driven scientist. ;)

5. Jevin Lortie, PhD

I’m Jevin, scientist turned career advisor.

How did I get here?

After I graduated, I really wasn’t sure what to do. I felt like I couldn’t see beyond the defense and didn’t have the emotional bandwidth for job hunting on top of preparing for it.

I stayed in the same lab as a postdoc, and I joined a supportive group of other academics looking for non-academic jobs. I also did nearly 100 coffee chats to figure out my next step. In those experiences, I realized I enjoy helping others discover the possibilities with their degree. I enjoy helping others, who were lost like I was, figure out where they want to go, understand the complex job market, and contribute to advancing science in their own ways.

Hopefully, I can be the career advisor I never had!

6. Kevin Hares, PhD

I have a PhD in industrial chemistry, specializing in catalysis and catalyst design. In my current role as a scientific staff member at VDI (the German Association of Engineers), I rely on the communication and interdisciplinary skills I learnt during my PhD.

I host technical committees and bring experts from different fields together to write standards and shape the future of the hydrogen economy.

I love connecting with people and learning from them about new technologies and scientific developments. This is also why I started my podcast, 'Innovate and React,' which allows me to connect with scientists and share what I learn with others. Chemistry is such a fascinating field worth talking about.

7. Elena Hoffer, PhD

After earning my PhD in medical sciences from Karolinska Institute in Sweden in 2023, I felt inspired to make an impact, express my creative side, and support others. This led me to build my own start-up, where we help PhDs at all academic levels transition into industry roles.

As the CEO and co-founder of an early-stage start-up, I do just about everything — from marketing and sales to product development, workshops, and coaching. I am also a content creator on LinkedIn and run a podcast called PostPhDirections.

That said, no two days look the same — and I love what I do. I couldn’t imagine a better job.

8. Maria Derkacheva, PhD

After completing my PhD at ETH Zurich and a Marie Curie fellowship, I successfully transitioned into project management, where I now work part-time as a Strategic Research Program Manager. What I love most about this role is the variety of people and tasks I encounter, the opportunity for strategic thinking and planning, and being able to see the bigger picture rather than focusing on narrow research projects.

In 2022, I qualified as a Career Coach and launched my own business, "Scientist to Scientist," in 2024, working with scientists and life science professionals at career crossroads to help them navigate their future careers while building confidence and resilience (www.linkedin.com/in/mariaderkacheva). The most rewarding aspect of coaching is helping life science professionals explore meaningful career options that fit their desired lifestyle and personal circumstances. I love that it's always a new challenge and puzzle — each person brings their own distinct challenges and aspirations. What energizes me most is supporting clients during big decision-making moments by providing frameworks that ensure informed decisions aligned with their goals and values, spotting blind spots, challenging their thinking when needed, and helping them build confidence to become proactive in their career choices.

#Beyondthelab

Alba Ymr, PhD