Gertrude Nonterah is helping researchers leave academia for industry roles through her consultancy, The Bold PhD [1].
This transition is often difficult for PhD holders who possess deep technical expertise but lack the networking tools, or corporate language, required to secure non-academic employment. By bridging this gap, Nonterah aims to reduce the instability often associated with short-term research contracts.
Nonterah founded The Bold PhD in 2021 [1]. The consultancy provides career counseling and medical communications support to researchers seeking a pivot. Her decision to start the business followed personal professional instability, including being fired from a postdoctoral position when her lab leader's funding ended [1].
Following that loss, Nonterah took a role at a biotechnology company that lasted two months [1]. This brief experience highlighted a systemic lack of guidance for those attempting to move from the university setting to the private sector.
To expand her reach, Nonterah is publishing a book titled "Navigating" in 2025 [1]. The publication is intended to serve as a roadmap for researchers facing similar career hurdles.
Nonterah said the goal is to shift the mindset of researchers from being job-seekers to becoming problem-solvers. This approach focuses on how academic skills can solve specific industry pain points, rather than simply listing qualifications on a resume.
“The Bold PhD consultancy was founded in 2021”
The rise of specialized consultancies like The Bold PhD reflects a growing trend of 'academic flight,' where researchers seek more stable and lucrative opportunities in the private sector. As funding for postdoctoral positions becomes more volatile, the demand for professional translation of academic skills into corporate competencies is increasing.
