In this Exiting Academia episode, I sit down with someone who took a PhD in computational chemistry and translated that training into an Application & Discovery Scientist role. We talk through what the job actually looks like day-to-day—where the “science” lives, how discovery work differs from pure academic research, and why this kind of role often rewards people who can bridge rigorous modeling with practical decision-making. If you’re a grad student or PhD who loves the technical work but doesn’t want the academic career track, this is a clear example of what a strong pivot can look like. A big takeaway is that your PhD is already industry-relevant—you just have to learn how to communicate it. I emphasize how to reframe computational chemistry skills into the language hiring teams use: impact, stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables. We also cover how to position yourself for these roles (portfolio signals, project narratives, and networking), plus what to expect in interviews when your background is research-heavy. My goal is to help you leave academia with a plan: translate your expertise, target roles intentionally, and build a path to what’s next.