Manager Behavioral Science at the Life Sciences Division of Philip Morris Products

I am manager Behavioral Science at the Life Sciences Division of Philip Morris Products, Switzerland. In my role, I am responsible for strategizing, organizing and leading applied research projects, requiring the coordination of activities, resources, and budgets across different functions of the organization. The team I am leading has strong expertise in clinical, social, and cognitive psychology, consumer behavior, behavioral change theories, survey methodology, and psychometrics, and they use their in-depth knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods to respond to various business needs, e.g., development of new self-reported measurement instruments or advancing knowledge on consumer behavior toward a healthy lifestyle. My daily work on average is made of 60% of meetings (ranging from pure business strategy to deep scientific brainstorming), 30% of team leadership, and 10% administrative duties. I love the diversity, challenges, and inspirations that are filling my days, but the most challenging for me remains to find time to read scientific papers! 

My years of postdoctoral research at CISA serve me immensely still today and is the key to my successful career in the private industry.

My years of postdoctoral research at CISA were pivotal to shape my professional career in several ways. First, I developed sound knowledge on emotions, in particular the verbal measure of emotions, and learned the psychometric technical skills necessary to develop new self-report measures. This serves me immensely still today and is the key to my successful career in the private industry. Second and foremost, my postdoctoral research was part of an interdisciplinary program funded by Firmenich, and this was really mind opening for me to realize how applied research in affective sciences could have a real business impact. Finally, spending time at CISA helped me to develop strong and independent thought leadership, impactful communication skills, and ability to work in a broad interdisciplinary and intercultural environment. All the above factors had for sure giving me a tailwind when entering on the job market. I am very privileged for having met so many bright people during my time at CISA, and every encounter became one piece of the jigsaw puzzle that represents where I am today. 

You may be surprised how such network of meaningful minds could support you along your career.

My advice to future doctoral or postdoctoral researchers at CISA is to not box yourself into one career path. Start building your influence network with your very own intuition (could be a mix of trusted peers, inspirational academic or industry researchers, key opinion leaders), they do not have to be related to your professional aspirations. From my own experience, you may be surprised how such network of meaningful minds could support you along your career.