Can I join academics as pharmacy professor after doing m pharm (Pharmaceutics) and PhD from IIT Or NIT in biomedical or bioengineering like branches? Or phd in pharmaceutical sciences is mandatory?
Ans: Hi Future,
For the first question the answer is NO.
To make your future bright, I must caution you: after completing a doctorate in Bio-Medical or Bio-Engineering from IIT or NIT, associating with pharmaceutical institutions is often a waste (with the exception of NIPER). Here are several reasons for this perspective:
Academics:
You can utilize your knowledge and skills to teach and guide students in exploring the research links between pharmaceuticals and engineering. However, many institutions lack the facilities to support this. Even if you secure funding from government agencies like DST/SERB, it can be challenging to work with private institutions. Most government pharmaceutical institutions are also underdeveloped, again with the exception of NIPER. Unfortunately, the funds you receive may not be used effectively in the private organisations, often leading to scams in the name of research. Thats the reason, nowadays, government agencies (based on the directions from the government) are focusing on funding on products rather than processes. Procuring raw materials, instruments, equipment, and miscellaneous supplies from private organizations can be very difficult, placing an additional burden on you as the researcher.
Publishing in Articles:
Publishing research work can be another hurdle or source of harassment for students (research scholars) and faculty members. Many institutions insist on publishing in so-called reputable journals, which are often defined as SCOPUS-indexed journals. This raises the question: how can an indexing company determine the standard of research? If you publish in non-SCOPUS journals, does that automatically render your work substandard? It is vital for reviewers to assess the content, logic, and principles behind the research rather than just the language used. Unfortunately, many journals prioritize language over the quality of research. If your work is truly of high standard, why should you have to pay to publish? Ideally, the journal should pay the authors for their contributions. In India, many scams exist within this publishing landscape. Numerous fake journals and websites charge low publication fees and promise quick publication, leading to a proliferation of articles that often lack scholarly rigor. Many academicians or students or scholars are unaware of these scams, and banks or payment gateways do not verify the legitimacy of these websites. Engaging with SCOPUS or other indexing companies typically yields no response to inquiries. Consequently, your research could languish without visibility and hinder your plans for future work. Additionally, if you have a novel idea, there’s a risk that it may not be adequately conveyed to reviewers, leading to rejections.
Patents:
Nowadays, you can become a patentee simply by paying a fee between ?4,000 and ?9,000, even if you had little or no involvement in the research. This often necessitates including institutional names and ghost researchers on patents. However, one advantage of patenting is that you can choose this route instead of traditional publishing, provided you maintain data integrity in your research. Unfortunately, many private institutions are more focused on the quantity of publications rather than the quality of research outcomes.
Research Environment:
Current students are typically more interested in immediate financial rewards than engaging in meaningful research. Finding dedicated students in the lab has become increasingly rare, as many are preoccupied with social media and online distractions. Consequently, you may not receive adequate support from students, which is applicable to you as well, since research topics often stem from the guide's thrust areas, leading to a lack of student investment or originality. This culture of "copycat" research has become prevalent where originality is often neglected.
Importantly, once you complete your degree from IIT or NIT, you are unlikely to receive a salary that meets government standards or to achieve promotions easily. As a newcomer, you will typically start at the Assistant Professor level and not progress to a full Professor role immediately.
In conclusion, after earning your PhD, you might consider either joining NIPER or applying for a Drug Inspector position.
**Why NIPER?**
Most NIPER institutions are still growing, offering many new courses tailored to industrial needs, alongside substantial developments in engineering sectors aimed at device development (medical device). The synergy of pharmaceuticals and engineering at NIPER can enhance your position in educational institutions.
**Why consider the Drug Department?**
To date, the Drug Department primarily focuses on the science aspect, making it an essential field for aspiring professionals and not technology oriented. There are currently no engineers (according to my knowledge) involved in the drug department to inspect the manufacturing processes of medical devices. Recently, a lot of new medical devices have been introduced to the market, creating a clear need for engineers in the drug department to conduct verifications. Therefore, if you are genuinely interested in this field, please consider pursuing it.
Answer to Question 2: It is not mandatory (but you should completed both B.PHARM AND M.PHARM FROM PCI APPROVED INSTTITUTIONS). After NEP2020, they cannot enforce the requirement that a PhD must only be in Pharmaceutical Sciences. This is because there is a growing demand in the industry.
I hope this clarification helps you understand the challenges and opportunities ahead.
BEST WISHES.
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