Cheeky Scientist

Cheeky Scientist is an industry training platform focused on assisting academic PhDs in transitioning into successful industry professionals. With the aim of increasing the number of PhD holders in CEO positions from 2% to 51%, their goals include placing 100,000 academics into industry roles, supporting advanced degree programs in providing industry training, and advocating for management and financial training for government-funded principle investigators and academics. The company highlights the need for change, citing statistics that only 0.45% of PhDs will become professors, with the unemployment rate for recent PhD graduates exceeding 60%, particularly in the Life Sciences field. In the U.S., the average postdoc salary is noted as $46,100 per year, whereas a PhD employed in industry earns an average of $91,200 annually. Their flagship offering is the Cheeky Scientist Association, which provides members with access to an exclusive job referral network, a comprehensive job search blueprint, industry training videos, live webinars, transition planning resources, and a private online support community. Membership enrollment is limited to a 4-week window annually. Founded in 2013 and operating within the Human Resources sector, Cheeky Scientist's vision aligns with the ongoing evolution of the job market for PhDs, aiming to empower individuals to leverage their expertise in various industry roles.