Research universities are grappling with how to prepare the next generation of biomedical scientists for diverse careers both inside and outside academia. There are more students training for an academic career in biomedicine than there are faculty positions, and so our students’ biomedical training needs to align more closely with the job market. Johns Hopkins is working to meet this challenge through the Johns Hopkins–MedImmune Scholars Program, part of an ongoing collaboration with the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca.

Launched in March 2016, the first-of-its-kind PhD training program between a major university and a biopharmaceutical company in the United States is preparing JHU graduate students for careers in the biomedical workforce. Program participants gain research experience in an industry environment while being introduced to the drug discovery and development process. Following their research training, students interested in a biopharmaceutical career may complete an optional yearlong internship at MedImmune.