ACPSS Series: Dr. Michael Whitwick - From Physics PhD to Clean Tech Product Builder скачать в хорошем качестве

ACPSS Series: Dr. Michael Whitwick - From Physics PhD to Clean Tech Product Builder

In this episode of the ACPSS series, Dr. Michael Whitwick shares his journey from a PhD in experimental physics at UBC and a postdoc at EPFL in Switzerland to innovation consulting, startup leadership, and his current role in product development at Hydrogen in Motion, where he is helping commercialize next generation hydrogen storage materials in the clean-tech sector. Michael describes how he moved from niche research on semiconductors and 2D materials into startups, serving as a scientist and later CTO at a solar roads company before returning to Hydrogen in Motion to take their technology from lab scale material to pilot plant and towards full commercialization. Michael dives into what product development really means in small, early-stage startups. He also explores the mindset shifts from academia to industry and the rare but powerful skill of translating between technology and business. Along the way, he shares candid advice on soft skills, hiring, and networking: why he screens candidates mainly on attitude, adaptability, and genuine excitement rather than perfect technical fit, how resumes are skimmed for signals and must be both polished and honest, and why most of his own roles came through curiosity driven conversations and long term relationships rather than cold applications. He also talks about his stint in consulting, repeatedly testing and killing startup ideas early to avoid costly dead ends, managing risk and uncertainty, and how PhD training in project management, problem-solving, and leadership quietly prepares you for product and startup roles even when it doesn’t show up on your CV. Whether you’re a physics or STEM PhD curious about clean tech, product roles, or startups, or you’re simply exploring non linear paths beyond academia, this episode is for you. Watch now for actionable insights and inspiration and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the HirePhD Career Society YouTube channel for more transformative career stories. Please support our mission: Help PhDs explore diverse career paths by donating to HirePhD Career Society: https://lnkd.in/d-B-XQyC 🌐 Get more support for your career journey: Follow our LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gJFpNrCh Join the HirePhD Talent Community: https://lnkd.in/g9QsUZF Career Advising: Need help with your resume, career path, or interview prep? Submit your request here: https://lnkd.in/g7Gj5N2S our team will be happy to assist you. 🎥 Credits: Speaker: Dr. Michael Whitwick –   / whitwick   Producer and Moderator: Conny Lin –   / conny-lin   Chief Editor: Yuyin Yi –   / yuyin-yi   Content Writer: Rekha Bohra –   / rekha-bohra   Editor and Director: Victoria Sid –   / victoria-sid   #hirephd #CareerTransitions #BeyondAcademia #PhDToIndustry #CleanTech #ProductDevelopment #Startups #Hydrogen #TechCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice