• Principal Scientist positions typically require a PhD or equivalent advanced degree, along with substantial research or industry experience in a relevant discipline. 
• Advanced expertise within a specialized field of research 
• Experience leading complex research programs or multidisciplinary projects 
• Demonstrated record of scientific achievement and problem-solving 
• Experience mentoring, supervising, or providing scientific leadership to teams 
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement experience 

• Leadership – Ability to establish research priorities, guide scientific strategy, and provide direction for complex projects
• Strategic thinking – Capacity to identify emerging opportunities, assess risks, and align scientific initiatives with organizational goals
• Research expertise – Deep understanding of scientific methods and the ability to critically evaluate evidence and research approaches
• Decision-making – Ability to make informed judgments in situations involving uncertainty, competing priorities, or incomplete information
• Collaboration – Skill in working effectively across multidisciplinary teams and fostering productive partnerships
• Mentorship – Ability to support the professional development of scientists and contribute to a collaborative research culture
• Scientific communication – Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
• Project leadership – Experience coordinating resources, managing priorities, and ensuring projects progress toward key milestones
• Innovation mindset – Capacity to identify novel ideas, evaluate new technologies, and drive continuous improvement
• Adaptability – Ability to navigate evolving scientific, technological, and business environments while maintaining a strategic perspective

• Degree requirements vary by industry and organization. Many Product Development Managers hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in scientific, engineering, health, or technical disciplines, often paired with relevant industry experience. 
• Experience leading or contributing to complex projects involving multiple stakeholders 
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate activities across cross-functional teams 
• Experience using data and evidence to support decision-making 
• Strong communication and organizational skills 
• Familiarity with product development processes, innovation, commercialization, or customer-focused design is often considered an asset 

• Project leadership – Ability to coordinate activities, manage priorities, and guide projects toward successful outcomes
• Strategic thinking – Capacity to assess opportunities, anticipate challenges, and align development efforts with organizational goals
• Stakeholder engagement – Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse teams and partners
• Communication – Skill in translating complex technical information into clear and actionable plans for different audiences
• Problem-solving – Ability to identify obstacles, evaluate options, and develop practical solutions in dynamic environments
• Data-informed decision-making – Capacity to analyze information, interpret market or user insights, and use evidence to guide product strategy
• Organization and prioritization – Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and competing demands simultaneously
• Collaboration – Experience working across scientific, technical, operational, and commercial functions to achieve shared objectives
• Adaptability – Capacity to respond to changing priorities, emerging opportunities, and evolving stakeholder needs
• Customer and user focus – Understanding of how products create value for users and the ability to incorporate user perspectives into development decisions

A University of Toronto student initiative created to bridge the gap between academia and industry. LSCDS hosts networking events, mentorship programs, industry team case studies, career seminar series, and more.

BioTalent Canada provides technical skills training designed for the Canadian bio-economy, including programs on the fundamentals of scientific report writing, good laboratory practice (GLP), good manufacturing practice (GMP), quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and good clinical practice (GCP).

An immersive talent development program aimed at producing industry-ready, highly qualified personnel through comprehensive training initiatives with deep industry engagement.

A series of videos covering career development topics, including how to convert your CV to a resume, questions to ask when networking, job searching tips, how to use LinkedIn, networking tips for introverts, how to prepare for interviews, and more.

The Effective Mentorship Training Program is an annual program offered by the UHN Office of Research Trainees for UHN graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who will be supervising summer students. The program covers topics such as effective communication, aligning expectations, assessing understanding, establishing inclusive practices, fostering independence, and promoting professional development.

Skillsoft Percipio Learning Platform is a free virtual learning platform for TeamUHN that offers self‑paced courses and live classes to help build skills in leadership, business, communication, and more. The platform also includes training and educational content that can be applied toward the Project Management Institute’s requirements for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification!

Dr. Kevin Robb is a Scientist, Research & Development at STEMCELL Technologies. Dr. Robb is also a former PhD student and postdoctoral researcher at UHN.

Attend career webinars and talk to people in your networks. The more informed you are about the different types of roles and companies, the more informed a decision you can make on whether it could be a good fit.

To learn more about Dr. Robb and his journey towards becoming a Scientist at STEMCELL Technologies, you can read our alumni spotlight, written by Crizza Ching, ORT Communications Assistant and Graduate Student.