Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Life Sciences Project Manager

How to Become a Life Sciences Project Manager?

There are around 16.5 million project managers in the world working in different fields. Here’s an overview of the career journey to become part of this community specialising in life sciences: 

Obtain a Relevant Life Sciences Degree 

Life sciences project managers must have the necessary knowledge about this field to supervise projects efficiently. So, the first thing to do is to get a relevant life sciences degree, such as a bachelor's or master's in biology, chemistry, engineering, or biotechnology. 

However, an educational degree isn't the only thing it needs; it's also advisable to take some project management courses to handle all types of tasks. For instance, enrol in project management courses from Coursera and Alison. 

 

Develop Essential Skills for Life Sciences Project Manager Jobs

To get a top life sciences project management job, it’s key to also focus on building technical and soft skills:

• Technical Skills: Be aware of all the technical aspects of the project. For instance, if the life sciences project manager jobs involve handling the development of new pharmaceutical products, it's essential to have a proper understanding of clinical trials, regulatory requirements, and data analysis. 
• Communication Skills: The life sciences project manager will be the bridge between scientists, stakeholders, and other team members. Therefore, having the ability to communicate all technical and non-technical details is important. This eliminates misunderstanding and ensures proper regulatory compliance. 
• Leadership Skills: It's also important to have strong leadership skills if one really wants to become a life sciences project manager. Why? Well, life sciences project managers are responsible for guiding a team of scientists and researchers through complex projects. So, the ability to delegate tasks, motivate team members, and make critical decisions is a must, which only a true leader can do. 

Get Necessary Certifications

The life sciences project manager jobs market is flooded with candidates, and to stand out, it's advisable to acquire the necessary certificates. 

Some common options in this regard include; Prince2, Agile Certified Practitioner (AgilePM), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and Project Management Professional (PMP). 

Relevant certifications enhance skills and make the candidate's profile shine among other applicants. 

Build Industry Knowledge  

Building industry knowledge may seem like a small part, but it is critical to starting a career as a life sciences project manager. 

Stay updated about the latest trends in the industry, including new technologies and procedures. For this, subscribe to industry journals and newsletters as well as follow life sciences leaders and top project managers. 

In addition, attend conferences and webinars to connect personally with people in the same position as you aspire to. This will improve your skills and enhance your competencies in life sciences. 

Find your next Project Management role 

Building a career as a life sciences project manager isn't complicated if you have a valid degree and certifications. However, if you are struggling to find the right life sciences project manager jobs, QCS Staffing is the ideal place. Submit your resume today or contact us to take the first step.