Career Paths After Completing a BS/MS in Botany, Chemistry, or Genetics from IISER Pune
If you are interested in continuing in academia, then the path is pretty well-defined. Pursuing a PhD followed by a Post-Doc and joining as a faculty member is a common route. Alternatively, you can do stints as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) or a Project Research Student to gain experience before making a decision about pursuing a PhD.
The Flexibility of Non-PhD Options
The latter option is very flexible since you can gain enough research experience to make you eligible for a good industry job without the full commitment of a doctoral degree. However, the drawback is that in the long run, you might lack the higher qualification necessary for better-paid positions.
Challenges in the Biological Sciences
Specifically with regard to biology, a major issue is the high number of MSc graduates each year. Even with the IISER tag, unless you have a higher qualification or experience, you won’t stand out in the crowd. A PhD in biological sciences can open up a host of avenues.
Industry Opportunities Post-PhD
After completing a PhD, a plethora of industry openings are available across manufacturers, equipment suppliers, pharmaceutical corporations, diagnostic labs, healthcare industry research firms, and more. Many positions involve a mix of corporate work and research, giving you an edge based on your training and experience. These jobs are usually well-paid, often more so than academic positions.
Importance of Qualification
The catch is that you need a good enough qualification such as a PhD or Post-Doc to qualify for better-paid jobs. Unless you're lucky, a Masters alone won't go far.
Post-Doc as a Career Step
A Post-Doc is usually required or advisable if you plan a shift to academia. However, if you plan to join the industry, it might not be necessary. You can make minor additions in value from a Post-Doc, but you can also secure perks and promotions in the industry by going straight into professional roles.
Non-PhD Career Paths
There are still many career paths available for students who choose not to commit to a PhD pursuit. A large number of companies are eager to recruit well-trained Masters graduates. For example, Biocon, Nucleome Informatics, and ThermoFisher Scientific are among the many companies that hire Masters graduates. There are also a variety of corporate-style semi-research-oriented entities like diagnostic labs, testing labs, and corporate RD departments that provide active intake for fresh Masters students.
The pay for these jobs may not be as high as PhD positions, but they are still competitive and promising starting points. For instance, MSc graduates can land positions at OmiX Research and Diagnostics Laboratories with pays ranging from about 6 LPA to 11 LPA, depending on the job profile. Research and development (RD) positions are particularly desirable and are rigorously tested for.
Teaching and Professional Training
The teaching and professional training sector is booming in India and is becoming increasingly lucrative for fresh graduates. These jobs are also well-paid, often surpassing what academia pays a young faculty member. However, job security is often low.
Extensive Diversification
For those interested in fully shifting focus from sciences, there are other options such as central services (e.g., UPSC), MBA, and engineering. These careers won't necessarily align with your specific studies but can still provide a solid career path.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the Career Development Council at IISER Bhopal's answers to related questions.