Neuroscience PhD Works for the Canadian Government

Name: Andrew Abela (he/him)

PhD: Neuroscience / Psychology, McGill University, 2015

What was your main area of research?

I studied the brain basis of decision-making, impulse control, and addiction, using behavioural tests, animal models, pharmacology, molecular techniques and optogenetics.

What is your current job?

I am the Assistant Director for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada of the Government of Canada, based in Montreal, Canada.

I manage a team of researchers and policy analysts to better understand how clients experience Canada’s immigration system and how we can improve it.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love getting to use my science skills to have a positive impact for my country and Canadians, even if the domain is different from my specific research background.

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

Volunteering as a science consultant for the school board - science communication and application; research design and statistics

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

I took a year leave from my postdoc to work as an applied science consultant.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

Application competition

PhD graduate ➡️ postdoctoral fellow ➡️ consultant ➡️ government researcher ➡️ government manager

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

Get as much experience as you can - either volunteer or paid - thinking about problems outside the lab or your research topic, and how you can help solve them with your unique skillset.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

The decision was difficult at first, mainly due to a lack of awareness of other options. Then it was relatively easy once I started exploring the possibilities (with a lot of hard work winning these opportunities, of course).

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

Think about a few careers that might interest you. Find people who work in them and speak with them, to see if you’d like it and to see how you can best position yourself.

Actively seek opportunities to get exposure to work outside your specific domain of expertise - to practice applying your skills to new areas/challenges and experience in identifying and communicating your value add to other fields or jobs.