Careers in chemistry

A presentation on Careers for Chemists in Biotechnology, scheduled for Monash University next fortnight, has proved popular.

Organiser John Werry said he was stunned at the amount of interest generated by the event, the first to be held following a successful debut at Melbourne University.

Werry said that at least four postdocs from interstate planned to attend, which he said proved that information on the topic was scarce despite strong demand.

Werry said the industry needed basic organic and analytical chemists - although many students perceived that 'boutique' biotechnology degrees were preferable - the fact was that people with fundamental chemistry qualifications were still highly sought-after.

A number of companies will have booths in the foyer after the presentation. Werry said that with 80 per cent of jobs coming from networking, the event was a good opportunity to meet-and-greet. Some of the organisations, such as the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), will be looking to recruit as well.

Other exhibitors will include Starpharma, CSL, Acrux, Mimotopes, GlaxoSmithKline Australia, IDT, Watermark, Biotechnology Australia and Victorian Government Biotechnology Division.

There will be four speakers at the presentation, which will run for around an hour.

Prof Peter Coleman, Head of Structural Biology at WEHI and one of the inventors of Relenza, will talk about the changes in chemistry over the last 15 years.

Dr Simon Green, director of project and portfolio management at CSL will talk about the international and private sector for post-start-up companies.

Dr John Lambert, head of chemistry at Biota Holdings, who went from teaching at Melbourne Uni to Biota, will talk about the transition from academia to a start-up.

And Dr Scott Courtney, a PhD chemist from the Institute of Drug Technology Australia will explain what it's like to move from being a student into industry.

The event starts at 5.30pm on August 28. Call John Werry on (03) 9651 9337.