Specialized training programs that complement your existing professional development curriculum
Helping PhDs, universities, and R&D teams turn scientific talent into practical innovation. Our high-impact workshops give academics the skills to thrive in/with industry – in less time than it takes to run a lab meeting.
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Stuck Between Academia and Industry?
After years of research and hard work, do you feel stranded? You're holding a PhD and a stack of published papers – yet companies keep telling you "you're not the right fit." It's infuriating and demoralizing.
Academia trained you to be a skilled scientist, but not how to navigate corporate meeting rooms or product deadlines. And you're not alone – professors, career offices, and R&D managers all sense this disconnect. The result? Brilliant minds get lost in limbo instead of changing the world.
For PhDs & Postdocs: Did academia leave you stranded? You're armed with knowledge but can't find your place in industry – facing rejection, guilt about "leaving academia," and fear you'll have to start over from scratch.
For University Leaders: Worried your PhD programs aren't translating to job placements? The research is top-notch, but you're missing the industry connections and funding that come when grads hit the ground running outside academia.
For R&D Teams: Tired of outreach to academia that goes nowhere? Projects drag on, professors don't speak to ROI, and you've been burned by collaborations that never left the lab.
Bridging the Academia-Industry
Gap at Every Level
TurningScience provides practical training that turns scholarly expertise into societal impact. We teach the theory, show you examples from real-life case studies, and then help you with hands-on practice. We provide a complete framework for success.
Every member of your institution faces unique challenges with industry engagement:
- PhD students struggle to translate their expertise
- Postdocs are tired of being passed around without real career progress
- Program coordinators aim for improved PhD placement rates
- Faculty seek increased funding to grow their labs
- Early-career PIs play defense with their startup money until it runs low
- Mid-to-late career PIs want to commercialize their knowledge but don’t know where to start
That's precisely why universities across 4 continents partner with TurningScience. We understand both worlds and provide the missing link.
Our Approach
Insider Expertise: Founded by a scientists with 25+ years of experience hiring and managing PhDs in industry. We've sat on both sides of the table.
Evidence-Based Methods: Our approach is built on data from hundreds of successful industry scientists and their employers. No guesswork, only proven strategies.
Immediate, Flexible Impact: Whether a 90-minute session or a 2-day intensive, every training program yields actionable takeaways you can implement the same day.
Comprehensive Bridge: We go beyond resume tips. From learning to "speak business" to navigating IP and project management, we ensure scientists and organizations finally understand each other's language.
Practical scientific applications transformed into valuable protected commercial technologies worldwide.
Industry-standard guides helping scientists navigate successful private sector transitions.
Global expertise serving diverse scientific communities across international research ecosystems.
Comprehensive training solutions addressing every phase of academia-to-industry career advancement.
Our Top-Rated Programs & Workshops
How to Land Your Dream Job
Stop being overlooked and start being sought after with insider techniques that bridge the academia-industry gap. This focused 90-min session equips you with the practical skills to showcase your value in language businesses understand and appreciate. You'll walk away knowing exactly how to position yourself as the solution to industry problems, not just another “overqualified” academic.
How to Network When You Hate Networking
Transform networking from a dreaded chore into a natural extension of your scientific curiosity. This workshop teaches authenticity-based approaches that feel comfortable for researchers while building valuable professional connections. You'll learn how meaningful connections happen naturally when you approach networking as a scientist - with genuine curiosity and purpose.
How to Get Research Funding from Industry
Discover how your research can attract substantial industry funding when properly positioned and communicated. This focused workshop reveals the crucial mindset shift that turns polite rejection into serious partnership discussions and fruitful collaborations. You'll gain practical tools to transform your research into solutions companies will eagerly invest in.
The Complete PhD Transition Blueprint
Dramatically shorten your job search and secure positions that truly value your advanced expertise. This transformative 2-day training program gives you the frameworks to translate academic accomplishments into business impact that hiring managers immediately understand, value, and proactively hire for. You'll leave with a complete toolkit that has been taught to thousands of PhDs to land fulfilling industry roles with competitive salaries.
Diversify Your Research Funding With Sustainable Industry Partnerships
Transform your research program with strategic industry funding that complements traditional government grant sources. This comprehensive workshop gives you proven frameworks for identifying, approaching, and securing long-term corporate collaborations. You'll master the art of building corporate partnerships that provide not just funding, but access to new resources, data, and career opportunities for your students. All of which helps enhance your academic standing, too.
The PhD's Guide to Business Success (No MBA Required)
Accelerate your industry career by mastering the business skills your PhD program never taught you. This targeted program bridges the gap between analytical thinking and corporate decision-making, improving your leadership skills and amplifying your impact across the organization. You'll develop the rare ability to speak both languages fluently - maintaining your scientific credibility while navigating business environments with confidence.
Success Stories
‘Attending the 'How to Be More Employable in the Private Sector' workshop was an exceptional opportunity that provided me with a new perspective on my career and increased my confidence. I'm grateful for Dr. David Giltner's invaluable insights, feedback, and captivating stories that helped me gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the private sector.’
‘David delivered an engaging and thought-provoking keynote that brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our event, It was a delight to see the doctoral students in attendance with big smiles on their faces, clearly indicating their satisfaction. There are many people who give career development guidance, but David has the first-hand experience required to give a genuine view of what a private sector career is really like!’
What You'll Achieve
Imagine the difference when the gap is gone:
For PhDs
Imagine waking up a few months from now, heading to work at a biotech startup where you are the resident science expert. You're no longer nervously tweaking your CV or sending unanswered emails – instead, you're prepping a presentation on how your research can open a new product line, and your team is all ears. No more feeling like an imposter or an outsider; you're thriving in an environment that values your background.
For Universities
Picture this: It's the end of the academic year and you're reviewing outcomes. Your department's PhD placement rate in industry has doubled, and three new corporations have signed on to sponsor research next year. You're fielding calls – not from frantic grads, but from companies eager to connect with your students because of their reputation for being work-ready scientists. The phrase "brain drain" is a distant memory – now you're known for your brain bridge.
“Dr. David Giltner provided me with a new perspective on my career path and increased my confidence. I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the private sector.”
For Industry
Envision your R&D department next quarter. You're kicking off a collaborative project with a university lab, but this time it's different – the researchers on the call talk about deliverables and milestones like seasoned product managers. Three weeks in, you already have a prototype because everyone knew how to hit the ground running. It feels like having the best of both worlds: academic brainpower operating at corporate speed.
Why TurningScience Is Best-of-Class
We get it – the term "workshop" might make you roll your eyes. You've likely sat through slide decks and generic advice that didn't get you (and your team/researchers) anywhere.
That's why TurningScience is different:
We've lived both worlds
With 3 books and 25+ years of experience hiring and managing PhDs in industry leadership roles, Dr. Giltner reveals what truly determines success in the academic-to-industry transition—insights you won't find in standard career advice.
TOOLS YOU CAN USE TOMORROW
Walk away with practical frameworks, conversation starters, and actionable strategies. Unlike other workshops that create awareness without capability, we ensures you can apply these skills in your next industry interaction, whether that's tomorrow or next year.
We teach the game, not just the rules
Scientists struggle in industry when applying academic problem-solving to business challenges. We teach the mindset shift from from seeking perfect answers to creating value through decisive action with incomplete information.
ELEVATING & Translating EXPERTISE
Industry doesn't need scientists to become business people – it needs scientists who understand business. Learn to maintain your identity while communicating your value in language that resonates with industry leaders and drives decisions.
Success Stories
‘I had an amazing time attending the How to Be More Employable in the Private Sector workshop! I learned so much about how I can position myself to find a successful career in the private sector and grow as a professional.’
'This workshop was genuinely one of the most insightful experiences I've had! The guidance and practical next steps provided were incredibly helpful. It is indeed a unique combination of information that is otherwise quite hard to find. Really interesting material and a superb presentation from your side. A huge thank you, David!'
'Architecting your own career can be overwhelming, especially for those of us used to having all the answers. David leverages a long and successful career in various industrial roles, and understands the patterns of thinking that the academically-trained fall into. He addresses them thoughtfully by crafting solutions and guidance from the world of business, sales, and emotional intelligence. This leaves you with the confidence to know you are heading in the right direction.'
'Thank you for an incredibly valuable workshop. I learned a lot from each session and even shared some tips with my family and colleagues. I also applied the Development Mindset to a decision I had been struggling with regarding a task related to my PhD. I decided yesterday to stop overcomplicating things and chose an approach that will hopefully be effective and deliver results. I’ll be presenting it to my supervisors on Monday and hope it goes well!'
We've guided hundreds of PhDs and postdocs into industry roles.
Our programs run at leading universities worldwide.
If you don't find our training programs valuable, we will refund you – it's that simple.
Our Unique Approach
What distinguishes TurningScience is practical experience on both sides of the academia-industry divide.
Academic career services lack industry experience. Business consultants lack scientific backgrounds. We understand both worlds intimately.
Our workshops provide concrete tools:
The "Game Not A Formula" Framework
The psychological shift from seeking perfect answers to making effective decisions
Research Translation Tools
Practical methods for communicating complex scientific work in business language
Industry Partnership Architecture
Structured approaches to building corporate collaborations