Building a career in the life sciences across borders can feel like a solitary journey, but it doesn’t have to be. On February 28, 2026, Ramakrishnan Pandiarajan (Scientist at NUMAFERM) hosted the “Hyperconnect” event, a high-energy, speed-dating-inspired session designed to weave together a network of students and professionals across Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and India.
The Vision: A Global Life Science Community
The initiative aims to expand the footprint of the Next Gen Scientist Foundation (NGSF) by establishing local Life Science Clubs in major cities. The goal is simple yet powerful: to create a space where scientists can freely exchange information on job opportunities, laboratory reagents, and technical know-how.
The event was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the organizing team:
- Nazmun Rahaman: Remote volunteer managing marketing and organization.
- Club Leads: Deepak (Zurich), Sruthi (Switzerland), and Biswajit (Dusseldorf).
Networking at Warp Speed
The “Hyperconnect” format utilized short breakout rooms to facilitate rapid-fire introductions. Participants shared their research backgrounds, which spanned a diverse array of fields
- Vidya Swamy, The Sainsbury Laboratory, UK
- Simon Brandt, Friedrich Alexander University, Nuremburg, Germany
- Gaurav Srivastava, University jean monnet saint Etienne, France
- Bhanu Prakash Potlapalli, Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Germany
- Shreesh Mahapatra, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ashwini Kale, Life Sciences Consulting, Germany
- Shravya B, PHIO scientific GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Alekya Rumandla, Biocon, India
- Charulochana Dhommeti, Xpedite Diagnostics GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Poojitha Koka, mbiomics GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Simran kushwaha, TUM Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
- Revanth CV, Miltenyi Biotec, Germany
- Sushmit Bhattacharya, LMU, Munich, Germany
- Arivoli Aravindhan Gurulingam, TUM, Germany
- Raphela Ranjan, TUM Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
- Sunayana Chandra, TUM, Munich, Germany
- Sanchari Datta, University of Düsseldorf, Germany
- Anuradha, University of Düsseldorf, Germany
- Biswadeep, University of Düsseldorf, Germany
- Rishanka Dey, University of Düsseldorf, Germany
Industry Insights: Transitioning from the Bench
A core theme of the discussion was the move from academia to industry. Ramakrishnan shared several “hard truths” and practical tips for those looking to make the leap:+1
- Mindset Shift: Industry is a system focused on profit, customer needs, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) rather than just “curiosity”.
- Domain Flexibility: Since industry doesn’t exist for every research niche, candidates must be open to switching domains and highlighting transferable skills.
- The “Rule of One Year”: Due to the competitive market, job seekers should prepare for a search lasting at least a year and be willing to relocate to different cities.
- The Language Barrier: For those in Germany, B2-level German is strongly recommended, as B1 is often insufficient for effective professional communication.
What’s Next?
The momentum doesn’t stop here. We have several upcoming opportunities to connect in person and online:
- March 14: Game Night in Munich.
- March 28: Bowling Event in Düsseldorf (Rhine-Ruhr region).
- Online Info Session: A special guest session featuring a Business Development Manager to discuss the transition from science to business.
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