Why business education matters for scientists

An earlier version of this text appeared on the Imperial College Business School student blog in July 2025 (archived copy).

From research to business impact

My career started in scientific research: a PhD at the University of Tübingen, postdoctoral work at ETH Zürich on efficient soil sensing, and years of developing machine-learning methods for spectroscopy and environmental applications.

At BUCHI Labortechnik, my role moved towards driving innovation and digital transformation in a company that builds analytical instruments. That shift made one thing clear to me: research has real value only when it informs meaningful, data-driven decisions, and turning a good model into a product or a service is as much an organisational problem as a technical one. To address that gap, I completed a part-time MSc in Business Analytics at Imperial College London.

Why a master’s after a PhD

I was often asked this question. A PhD shows you how much there is still to learn, and continuous learning is part of how scientists work. I wanted structured knowledge in business analytics, decision-making and strategy: the skills that turn technical work into implemented solutions rather than prototypes.

What changed in how I work

Implementation over invention. The programme shifted my focus from building solutions to making them work inside organisations: aligning technical work with business needs, balancing trade-offs, and managing knowledge across teams.

Communication as a project tool. The modules on leadership, negotiation and communication showed how much clear communication matters at every level. Managing conflict well is not about keeping the peace; it keeps projects on track and avoids costly delays.

Transferable expertise. Specialists tend to stay within narrow fields. I learned to look for problems in other areas where my expertise can make a difference, which has broadened the scope of what I contribute across disciplines.

Scaling impact beyond the lab

For several years I have worked with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on optical spectroscopy as a faster, cheaper and more sustainable alternative to conventional soil testing, with a focus on making these tools accessible in low- and middle-income countries. This includes training materials for scientists, technicians and students worldwide. The business perspective strengthened how I approach this work: project management, communication with diverse stakeholders, and scaling training efforts.

For scientists considering the same step

A scientific background is a real asset in business education. Analytical thinking, a structured approach and clear communication transfer directly. If you care about science and want your work to have impact beyond your field, learning the language of strategy and decision-making is one of the most effective investments you can make.