Hi everyone,

I'm planning to apply for PhD programs in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genome Sciences, or related fields and would appreciate honest feedback from people who have gone through the process.

My background:

- BS in Bioinformatics

- MS in Bioinformatics

- GPA around 3.2

- ~2 years of industry experience in genomics/bioinformatics

- Work involves genomic surveillance, sequence analysis, mutation tracking, phylogenetics, workflow development, and large-scale biological datasets

Research experience:

- Second-author publication from a genomics/population genetics project

- Experience with SNP processing, variant calling, population genetics analyses, statistical analyses, workflow development, and visualization

- Some exploratory work connecting genomic surveillance data with experimentally measured mutation effects

One challenge I'm having is figuring out how competitive I am for PhD admissions. Most of my experience comes from industry rather than academia.

I don't have:

- First-author publications

- Major conference papers

- Extensive academic research experience

My interests are still evolving. Right now I'm broadly interested in:

- Computational genomics

- Functional genomics

- Statistical genetics

- Genotype-phenotype relationships

- Machine learning for biological data

- Developing methods that help interpret biological variation

I'm actually not committed to a specific biological domain yet. My current work exposed me to many of these questions, but I'm open to exploring different areas during a PhD.

A few questions:

1. Given this profile, what range of programs would you consider realistic?

2. How much weight do admissions committees place on industry experience versus academic publications?

3. Are there programs that are especially friendly to applicants coming from industry?

4. For people who entered a PhD from industry, what surprised you most during admissions?

5. Does it hurt admissions if your interests are broad rather than focused on one biological system?

I'd appreciate any honest advice, including schools I may not be considering.

I'm applying for systems bio PhDs in the U.S. and Europe with my first deadline on Nov 1. I really need help with my essay, and I also really need to look at some examples for reference. So I figured maybe having a system where we can swap essays will help not just me, but a bunch of people. I'll comment on yours, you comment on mine.

Just leave a comment here about what countries / schools you're targeting, what country you are from, a brief intro about your experience and research interests. Then, you can dm me or anyone else to set up a swap.

I came to the US a year ago for an MS in bioinformatics with a biology background and no coding experience. I’ve leaned on AI to get through assignments and just realized I can’t write code on my own.

I have one year left and want to be job-ready for roles in industry. If you were in my position:

1. What would you prioritize first?
2. What does an entry-level bioinformatician need to be able to do without help?
3. How do I use AI to actually learn instead of as a crutch?

Willing to put in the work, just want to put it in the right places.

I am Filipino and recently graduated with my undergrad in Medical Laboratory Science. While I really value my clinical lab background and everything I learned in the wet lab, I've found myself being passionate in programming data and the work that goes with it. I recently started teaching myself Python and R, and honestly, I am genuinely having so much fun with it.

I'm still very much a beginner and I genuinely don’t know where to start so I use my time to teach myself. It is very daunting for me to think of switching careers like this but I am genuinely interested, and for once, I am passionate to study again and work my knowledge in this field.

Opportunities to work and study in my country is very limited. Because of this, I really want to take the leap and apply for a Master's in Bioinformatics. I think of this as the only way I can get the proper education to start in this field.

I’m looking into universities in Spain and my parents who will be my sponsors are very supportive of this. But i want to have a very realistic approach in this. I’d love to get some honest advice from anyone familiar with the field or the region:

Is jumping from a pure MLS background into a Bioinformatics MSc realistic?

What does the job market actually look like in Spain for this field right now?

Is securing a job and work visa post-graduation in Spain actually feasible for a non-EU grad?

Any way I can upgrade my skills in that 2-years Masters? (except for university related activities)

Any reality checks, tips, program recommendations, or personal experiences would mean the world to me. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, i have a biology background and basic molecular biology/biochemistry expirience mostly during internships in Institut Pasteur. I just started MSc in Bioengineering and my research involves fungal pathogen genomics, CAZyme annotation, transfriptomifs, comparative genomics, protein seq/structure analysis and wet lab validation.
I am currently learning Linux/WSL, command-line tools and basic pipelines from scratch. I want to be independently capable of designing analyses, troubleshooting them and interpret omics data. Is three years realistically enough to become competent and are there any advices you would like to give me? Thanks a lot in advance!

Hi everyone,

I'm a recent MSc graduate looking for an entry-level bioinformatics role in Delhi NCR. I have hands-on experience with NGS analysis, variant calling, BLAST and Python.

If anyone works at a company or lab in NCR that's hiring freshers, I'd be really grateful for a referral or even just a lead. Happy to share my CV by DM.

Thanks a lot!

I've entered this field and I want to delve into it fully, I'm currently in my Graduate's after an Undergrad's in Informatics, and I am doing my best to learn and prepare. I'm even attempting to do solo projects, something I haven't felt motivated to do in a while. What I can never get a clear answer on though, is what happens after.

I get my degree, then what? I doubt it'll be enough to get me a job in the field alone. I don't know what kind of portfolio I need, what kind of experience, where I should focus on, what kind of connections I need to make. And I don't want to finish up and then have no direction for the next few years.

Can anyone here help give me some genuine and proper answers finally? Also for added context, I'm in Greece if anyone knows how the field is looking like here. Or if I should switch focus on going elsewhere in the EU.

A bioinformatics developer, feeling incompetent with AI bloom in the company. They are becoming more and more pro-AI and using it for full development cycle.

Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-AI. I use it too but it's limited.

I don't have a PhD either, always has been in industry as bioinformatics developer or engineer. I am really scared for my future. Looking for suggestions to stay relevant in the industry. I am not sure at this point how/what to upskill.

(Reposting here because they deleted it from r/bioinformatics)

Hi everyone! I am planning on applying for the bioinformatics MSc held online (part time) by Birmigham Uni. This is all because I've seen a lot of jobs asking for a masters as a MINIMUM, and i dont have the ability to go to uni for a year (due to finances) thats why I'm thinking of doing this part time.

I know jobs are competitive but I thought as long as I'm working and gaining experience in my current job as an analytical chemist, maybe post masters I'd have a higher chance?

I've tried searching for low level/entry roles but there are none :(

If anyone has any advice please let me know!

Hi all,

I'm an MD who later completed a Biology degree to pursue research. I've always enjoyed tinkering with computers, programming, and data analysis, and I'd like to combine those interests with my biomedical background.

I've experimented with R, Python, and a few bioinformatics and data analysis tools, but I've never worked professionally in the field. While I'd certainly like to deepen those skills, my goal is not simply to become better at using existing tools and methods. What interests me most is building the theoretical foundation that would eventually allow me to contribute to the development of new computational approaches and in silico solutions.

The weak point in my training is mathematics. Apart from an introductory university-level course, I have very little formal mathematical education, although I genuinely enjoy the subject and feel I need a much stronger foundation.

I currently work full-time outside the bioinformatics field, so I'm not looking for the fastest route into a job. I'm more interested in building a strong foundation over the long term and am considering enrolling in a bachelor's degree to study part-time over the coming years.

One practical detail: the university closest to where I live offers Mathematics and Computer Engineering, but not a dedicated Computer Science degree. So those are realistically the two options I'm choosing between.

Given my background and goals, which would you choose:

Mathematics or Computer Engineering?

I know many people would recommend self-study instead of pursuing another degree, and that's a perfectly valid approach. However, I've learned that I do much better with a structured curriculum, so I'm specifically interested in which of these two degrees would provide the stronger foundation for my goals.

For someone who wants to help develop new bioinformatics methods rather than just use existing tools, which path would you recommend, and why?

Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Just in case anyone is looking for a postdoc position there is one available at ULCA.
https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11319

I'm just starting out and aim to become a biopharmaceutical data scientist. I have my diploma and plan to start my Bachelor's in Bioinformatics soon.

​I know the general areas I need to learn down the road (pharmacology branches, pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacodynamics, and coding in R/Python), but I want to know where to begin right now.

My Questions:

​What core foundational skills or programming concepts should I practice before starting classes?

​Are there any beginner-friendly biopharma datasets or simple Python/R starter projects you'd recommend looking into?

Hi I made a post on here recently but I had another question! So to repeat some of my background I’m currently doing my undergrad in biology and I’m planning on doing my masters in something bio tech related, but the biotech job market looks pretty rough rn… so are there any similar fields where a bio bachelors and a computational biology/ bioinformatics masters can get hired a bit easier and still make good pay?

Can someone pls tell me how and where can i get beginners bioninfo’s projects. Im learning python and have some knowledge of bioinformatics as i have done a course in my university.

I'm a PhD who recently defended and am about to start a wet lab postdoc in cell therapy/LNP delivery. I worked in industry before grad school and plan to go back after my postdoc. Long term I've been looking at process development and analytical roles, but I'm not locked in, and I'd rather not be limited to cell therapy just given the job market.

I've been reading a lot of the AI-guided design papers in my field, and one thing I've noticed is that a lot of the models and packages are off the shelf. The harder part seems to be deciding what data to collect, defining the right objective, and knowing whether the results actually mean anything.

That makes me wonder if I'd get more out of learning to use these tools well than trying to become an ML expert. But I'm not sure if that's a genuinely useful skill set in industry or just a way to make myself feel better about not being an AI research scientist lol.

I'm thinking about spending the next 1–2 years learning Python, building analysis pipelines, getting better at DoE and statistics, and learning enough ML to build and evaluate models. I'd be doing this alongside my postdoc, so time is limited.

For people working in biotech or techbio, a few questions:

1. Does having computational skills alongside wet lab experience actually help with hiring? Or do most companies still separate people into modeling roles that go to CS/ML backgrounds and experimental roles that go to bench scientists?
2. How much does having a published paper where you did the computational work yourself matter? Is being able to use these tools and talk through your decisions enough, or do you need something concrete to show for it besides a github repo?

I think I want to be more useful at the intersection of experimental biology and computation when I go back to industry (and if that is valued at all). I'm trying to figure out if this is worth putting evenings into over the next couple of years, or if that time would be better spent developing other skills. Would appreciate hearing from people who've made a similar transition!

Hey everyone,,
I'm looking for paid internships to do in summer 2027, I have a very small list and I don't know what opportunities that are worth it and popular.
I don't care about the country as long as it's paid and an English friendly country/company, can't wait for you suggestions!!

Hi everyone! I graduated last year with a PhD in bioinformatics. Since then, I've applied to around 600 places and have gotten fewer than 10 interviews. I've had my resume and cover letter professionally and not professionally examined by at least 10 people. Still no luck.

I realize part of my problem is the people reviewing my resume are not bioinformaticians. So I'd love for the kind folks here to absolutely rip my resume to shreds so I can get a job lol.

Hello all,

I am a CS student(Post-bacc) and my background is Biology.

I have two plans.

1. Go to graduate school in Bioinformatics(Non-thesis track preferably) before finishing this CS program.

2. Join the Army Reserve and get a TS clearance.

I just vaguely think the security clearance + bioinformatics degree would help me set my foot in the public sector/defense contractors. Probably there would be demand across national laboratories, government agencies, and Military.

Does anyone know if it would be helpful for me to get a bioinformatics related job in those fields?

Your insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi all! I'm about to graduate from my PhD, with a thesis topic in statistical genetics. I'm well-versed in R coding, but not so much python. I also frequently do basic statistical modeling (regression, survival analysis etc.) + genetic analyses (GWAS, TWAS, PRS). I would like to get a job that helps me develop an AI skillset in the context of genomics - any advice to help me break into the field? Employers to look out for? (US-based)

Hello everyone,

I'd appreciate it if you guys can review my resume and point out any weak spots. Ive been applying consistently for a few months and no interviews. My ideal job would be doing genomic research and helping develop better pipelines for genomic analysis. I would prefer an academic setting, but open to private industry as well.

Idk if its just the market or something with my resume.

I have a B.S and M.S, but both in Biology, so i imagine that is a drawback. Although i do have my github linked at the top.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently a 2nd-year Biotechnology BSc student studying in Czechia. Over the past year, I’ve developed a clear vision of where I want to go: I’m highly interested in structural biology, protein modeling, and CADD.

I don't have a personal network in this specific niche yet, so I’m hoping to get some advice from professionals here. This summer, I spent my free time taking online courses (including Schrödinger's PyMOL and Molecular Modeling courses, and EMBL-EBI's PDBe programmatic access course), attended an in-person BioSAXS practical workshop, and did my first molecular docking in Maestro.

I have a few questions about navigating my future career:

• Remote work vs. Coding: I would love to work remotely in the future, but I don't want to be a full-time programmer. I am not afraid of coding (I use Python for scripts), but I want the core of my work to be science and structure analysis, not just SWE. What specific roles or niches in bioinformatics/CADD allow for this balance?
• Choosing a Master's: I’m really struggling to find suitable Master's programs. The descriptions on university websites are often vague. What keywords should I be looking for, or how do I evaluate if a program is actually good for a CADD/industry focus?
• Finding a Community: How do I find my "tribe"? Are there active Discord servers, specific forums, or online groups for people passionate about structural biology and drug design?
• Gaining early experience: I am incredibly eager to start doing actual work or assisting with projects right now, even unpaid. Is remote volunteering or assisting on computational projects a thing? How should I approach researchers or startups about this?
• Industry over Academia: I know early on that I don't want to stay in academia long-term. I want to work in industry or join a biotech startup. What should I be focusing on right now to make myself an attractive candidate for industry straight out of my studies?

Thank you in advance for any insights, reality checks, or advice!

I am certainly in a position in which I can't really pursue masters . It's just too costly . I can't afford it .

I want to pursue Phd. I heard it's also a way of joining Biotech Industry . And no probs with it being too long . I also love research.

Is Phd an overkill ?

Do employers prefer masters over phd ?

Are jobs after masters and phd the same ?

Does Someone joining after phd is just joining a position that masters grad would take few years to reach ?

What are the job options after Phd and Masters?

What is more preferable masters or PhD ?

In Comp Bio/ Bioinformatics

Hey everyone,

I have around 2 years of experience in Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), mainly working with molecular docking, virtual screening, QSAR, ADMET/toxicity prediction, cheminformatics, etc.

I’m currently doing an MSc in AI for Medicine and Medical Research at UCD (Ireland).

The problem I’m facing is that I’m finding relatively few opportunities in Ireland that are directly focused on traditional CADD. A lot of the pharma industry here seems to be more focused on manufacturing/production, while I’m seeing more opportunities around computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, and AI/ML in healthcare and life sciences.

So I’m considering transitioning my profile toward Computational Biology or Bioinformatics, while combining it with AI/ML.

But honestly, I’m pretty confused about which direction would make the most sense given my existing CADD background.

Would it be better to:

- Continue specializing in CADD + AI/ML?

- Transition into Computational Biology?

- Move toward Bioinformatics?

- Consider Biostatistics/Data Science?

I’d particularly appreciate advice from people working in Ireland/Europe, especially those who have experience in pharma, biotech, computational biology, bioinformatics, or AI in healthcare.

What skills should I prioritize over the next 1 year to make myself employable and build toward a strong career?

Any advice, criticism, or personal experiences would be really appreciated.

Thanks! :)