Another factor in the salary discrepancies is that as fledgling biotech companies make the transition from research to product commercialization, the need for managers with commercial skills, rather than scientific, increases.
Even with a targeted separation of academic and business endeavors, pursuing commercialization can actually enhance your skills in education.
Brad and Sarah are dubious about the increasing commercialization and commodification of primitive skills.
At the University of California Davis SRP, the School of Management offers an entrepreneurship training course covering business community thought processes and skills to facilitate commercialization of scientific discoveries and advance application of the science (Spier C, personal communication).
Therefore, the abilities to network and to communicate clearly, and to generally be a good conversationalist, are essential skills in the tech commercialization business and do not always come naturally to scientists and engineers!
Other recommendations included a 5% increase in university research that would be targeted for commercialization; better development of entrepreneurial and business skills in academic scientists; an increase in government investment in university research; and a wholesale review of Canadian tax policy to increase its promotion of research-based innovation.
During this process, a community of fellow users is of major importance for the entrepreneur, serving as a knowledge pool for skills development and experimentation with different commercialization paths.
For individuals seeking to follow alternative career paths, internship programs in Technology Transfer, Bioethics, Entrepreneurship, and Education should be widely available so that the necessary skills are learned to promote careers in patent and licensing policy, science policy, commercialization of science, and teaching.
Joint venture membership (non-lead) often brings important technical skills to projects, but it is the lead organization that generally holds the IP and exercises leadership in commercialization.
