Hi everyone,
I recently graduated with a Master’s in Applied Mathematics, where my thesis focused on applying data science and machine learning methods to transcriptomics data with Python.
My work involved gene expression analysis, clustering, statistical testing, and building ML models to analyze biological datasets. Through this, I became really interested in working at the intersection of biology and data science. I’m currently continuing this work with my advisor, though my contract is ending soon.
I’ve been applying to roles like computational biologist and bioinformatics positions, but I’ve gotten a lot of rejections so far, which made me realize I might be missing something or not positioning myself the best way.
For those of you in industry:
- Are there any key skills/tools I’m missing that are expected for entry-level roles?
- How competitive is it to transition into industry from a more math-focused degree like mine?
- Is project-based experience like this typically enough, or should I be focusing on something else (e.g., specific tools, wet lab exposure, etc.)?
- Would pursuing a PhD in bioinformatics or a related field significantly improve my chances, or is it not necessary for industry roles?
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who made a similar transition.
Thanks!