[the_only_law]

> if I wanted to do a career change and start working in computational biology, would I do another PhD? Of course not! I would read papers, find good mentors and colleagues in the field, and start doing work in the space.

I mean I’m sure that’s all good and fine for the author who if I understand correctly already has academic accomplishments and connections to lean into with.

But what if I or John Nobody wanted to work in computational biology? Am I supposed to just start reading and than reach out to randos working in the field and beg them to let me work for/with them?

[sjg007]

The best way is to apply for a job in a computational biology lab or research center. Maybe read a few papers too. Most of them need software developers. If you do good work you'll be a co-author.

Another path is to join one of the many many NGS startups where you too can analyze Nextseq data.

That will give you sufficient credentials to get into a PhD program if you want to do that.

Also there's an ex-hedge fund guy D.E. Shaw who runs a comp bio group, also Wolfram and all the big tech companies have comp bio groups.

Work there, see if you like it, that may give you an opportunity to enroll in a PhD if you want.

It will probably pay less than you'd make in a regular software job but its enough to live on and likely interesting work.

No matter where you go find a lab that is generating data. Data is the key.

[emrah]

Great advice! I did exactly this and realized a PhD is not for me, yet enjoyed being part of the scene as a developer very much!

[Will_Do]

It'll be harder for you than it would be for him but I still wouldn't discount it! Considering the alternative is (1) trying to get into a PhD program (might require a year or two of remedial classes with no guarantee of success) and then (2) spending 4-6 years doing a PhD, reaching out to the randos may well be much faster AND lowest risk.

If you're a software engineer, I'd venture a claim and say that the rando route will be easier. You have a valuable skillset researchers need -- you can code at a professional level. Use that to get your foot in the door!