#131 - From NIH, CDC, FDA to Pharma: Physician Job Transitions Artwork

The Career Rx Podcast for Doctors

You know you're not alone. Many doctors are frustrated by bureaucracy, stagnation, and burnout. If you're stuck on a career treadmill and your hard work isn't getting you the results you deserve, you need The Career Rx! This podcast is about modern business, branding, social media, and digital platforms to help physicians advance their careers. Grow your practice, build a successful physician side gig, achieve academic promotion, become a physician entrepreneur, and even transition to a nonclinical career. From the author of The Social Prescription (social media for doctors) and the creator of The Rx Series (business, public speaking, professional branding, and digital marketing for doctors), this podcast will help you do more of the work you love (and less of what you don't) by teaching you both timeless and modern career strategies that you don't learn in medical school. Finally, enjoy career success on your own terms with The Career Prescription podcast for doctors and other healthcare leaders.

All Episodes

The Career Rx Podcast for Doctors

#131 - From NIH, CDC, FDA to Pharma: Physician Job Transitions

April 22, 2025 • Marjorie Stiegler MD

Are you a physician or scientist currently working in a government agency like the FDA, NIH, or CDC? Have you wondered if your unique skills and experiences are transferable and valuable to the pharmaceutical or biotech industry?

In this episode of The Career Rx we’ll discuss:

How federal health agency skills and experience may be aligned to physician roles in the pharmaceutical industry
Job search strategies, current job market challenges, and how to stand out
Potentially relevant federal agencies that employ physicians and scientists, and related transferrable skills

In this podcast episode, we delve into why physicians and scientists from agencies like the FDA, CDC, NIH, CMS, and even DoD/BARDA possess highly relevant expertise for roles within pharma, medical device, and biotech companies. I’ll share some insights and encouragement for those considering this specific career shift, emphasizing the significant value you bring and the actionable steps needed to navigate the move into industry.

In this Episode:

[03:20] Relevant government agencies for transferable skills
[8:00] The interplay between scientific communication and policy
[15:54] Start now, start with LinkedIn

Links and Resources:

Industry Insider - 12 hours of CME, learn exactly how to land a rewarding nonclinical career without a new degree, special connections, prior experience, or a pay cut

Episode 86: Getting a Job in Pharma Without Prior Experience

Episode 87: How to Get Started Finding a Nonclinical Job in Pharma

Episode 88: What Physicians Do in Pharma: Drug Discovery and Development

Episode 89: Physician Jobs in Pharma: Medical Affairs

Episode 90: Physician Jobs in Pharma: Clinical Research and CROs

Episode 91: Physician Jobs in Pharma: Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance

Support the show