In this episode of LabMates, we interview Dr. Thomas Grant, who shares his journey from academia to a role in commercialisation at Uni Services. He discusses the skills and mindset shifts required for success in the business world, the importance of networking during a PhD, and debunks common myths about commercialisation. Dr. Grant emphasises the value of research impact beyond academic publications and encourages PhD students to embrace opportunities outside their immediate academic focus.Key Takeaways"It's okay to leave at 5:30 PM.""Make some time for networking during your PhD.""Commercialisation is not a dirty word."Chapters00:00 The Podcasting Journey Begins01:54 From Academia to Commercialization04:28 Navigating the Startup Landscape07:03 The Shift in Mindset09:37 Building Relationships in Science and Business11:57 Reflections on the Lab Experience14:37 Job Searching and Career Transitions15:09 The Importance of Networking and Upskilling18:05 Balancing PhD Work with Networking20:20 Challenging Myths in Academia22:53 Commercialisation and Research Impact23:52 Building Community in Science Careers24:42 Promoting Research Collaboration and VisibilityFollow along and join the LabMates community - we are helping scientists build more impactful careers through collaboration, visibility and community