GS 14 to CRO?

[Anonymous]

Currently on GS 14, non-supervisory. Have a Ph.D. with 10 years experience. Perform well in the current position, and enjoy the work/life balance. Flexible hours. But seems no hope to move up the ladder, in the near future.

Considering to move to CRO. Worked in big companies before on a temporary basis and didn't like it. Have intention to open own consulting business in the future. Another motivator is to make more money as DC will start private school. The plan is to work at CRO for 3-5 years and then leave to open own business. Is this plan feasible? Having not been in the job market for 10 years, I'm a little nervous. With young kids (the youngest is only 3), is it a good move? Is there anything I should be aware of before making the jump?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently on GS 14, non-supervisory. Have a Ph.D. with 10 years experience. Perform well in the current position, and enjoy the work/life balance. Flexible hours. But seems no hope to move up the ladder, in the near future.

Considering to move to CRO. Worked in big companies before on a temporary basis and didn't like it. Have intention to open own consulting business in the future. Another motivator is to make more money as DC will start private school. The plan is to work at CRO for 3-5 years and then leave to open own business. Is this plan feasible? Having not been in the job market for 10 years, I'm a little nervous. With young kids (the youngest is only 3), is it a good move? Is there anything I should be aware of before making the jump?

CRO = Contracting Research Org?

Have you looked at science admin positions ? I’m a relatively new PhD (degree in 2015). I am in Non sup. GS 14 science admin position with the hope of moving to GS 15 at NIH or NSF in the next 5 years.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, by CRO, I mean Contract Research Organization. And thanks for sharing the information about your experience, PP!

Just wondering what the pay level at CRO is and whether that'll help with starting your own business?

[Anonymous]

My husband has been working for CROs (2 different ones) for the past 8 years and absolutely hates it. He has a team he supervises and runs all aspects of the project. The strict timelines and clients make it nearly impossible to succeed on projects. He works 10-12 hour days and the pay is not worth it at all. He just hasn’t figured out how to translate his skills out of CROs yet.

[Anonymous]

PP- what do you mean by science admin? Is that managing grants as a program officer or something else?

I’m a 2015 PhD grad and currently looking for a job after post-doc. CROs really scare me for the reasons PP mentioned but I’ve only worked in government and academia so I have no direct experience. But people I know who have worked
With them are very well skilled and report decent work balance so it probably depends on the CRO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP- what do you mean by science admin? Is that managing grants as a program officer or something else?

I’m a 2015 PhD grad and currently looking for a job after post-doc. CROs really scare me for the reasons PP mentioned but I’ve only worked in government and academia so I have no direct experience. But people I know who have worked
With them are very well skilled and report decent work balance so it probably depends on the CRO.

PP here - yes I manage grants and centers like a program official (I’m not a NIH - but my federal agency follows a similar process). I chose this route because I didn’t want to be stressed about funding, I have small kids so work life balance is super important, also I got GS-14 which pays more the academic positions I considered.


Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision though....I’m still getting used to not doing my own research

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP- what do you mean by science admin? Is that managing grants as a program officer or something else?

I’m a 2015 PhD grad and currently looking for a job after post-doc. CROs really scare me for the reasons PP mentioned but I’ve only worked in government and academia so I have no direct experience. But people I know who have worked
With them are very well skilled and report decent work balance so it probably depends on the CRO.

PP here - yes I manage grants and centers like a program official (I’m not a NIH - but my federal agency follows a similar process). I chose this route because I didn’t want to be stressed about funding, I have small kids so work life balance is super important, also I got GS-14 which pays more the academic positions I considered.


Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision though....I’m still getting used to not doing my own research

Excuse all my typos. It’s been a long day!

OP - I considered CRO’s too. The quality of life seems poorer than government and in my case the pay was comparable to my fed position.