Name: Bryce Grier (he/him)
PhD: Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 2020
What was your main area of research?
As a PhD student, I studied synaptic plasticity in cortical interneurons using whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology. As a postdoc, I used in vivo calcium imaging to investigate mechanisms of cortical state change, with a focus on L1 interneurons.
What is your current job?
I am a Neural Data Architect at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.
My main job focus is to promote reproducible and open science. I do this in three ways. First, I hold workshops to teach scientists data best practices. Second, I develop software that aids in adoption of these practices. Finally, I provide consultation for labs and individuals who wish to implement these practices.
The best part of my job is that every day brings something new, and I feel like I'm working to address long-entrenched issues in science.
How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?
I found this position through the Stanford careers website.
PhD student ➡️ postdoc (short) ➡️ Neuroengineer ➡️ Neural Data Architect
Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia? Was this a difficult decision or one you felt came easily?
I need work/life balance. I loved being a postdoc and doing independent research at a high level, but it didn't leave enough room for other things I enjoy doing in my life. It was a very difficult decision, as I had been working towards the goal of a faculty job for over a decade at that point.
What are three pieces of advice you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?
My advisors were very supportive but simply didn't know much about careers outside of academic research. So, I sought out others who were trying to make or had already made the transition.
It can be tough to repackage yourself when you're used to describing yourself in a certain way. I'm not sure if I have good advice here, but it is definitely easier to interview with people that have an academic background, as they can more easily see how your experience and soft skills fit into the needs of the position.
To prepare for non-academic careers, I first tried to identify skills that would be useful in the general career type I wanted to transition to. I then found ways to ask questions in my research that would force me to learn those skills
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