Core Business Skills for Biologists
The aim of the course is to provide those with a biology background with core business skills.
Details
When? Wednesday 28 January 2026, 09:00 to 17:00
Where? Online
* This course contributes to the Royal Society of Biology's Industry Skills Certificate
This course will take place over three sessions, on 28, 29 and 30 January 2026 at 9:00-17:00 each day. Bookings for this event will close on 5 January 2026 (subject to change).
Introduction
The aim of this training course is to provide those with a biology background with core business skills (both transferrable skills like negotiation strategy, and hard skills like accounting). After completion of the course, participants should have developed a solid base understanding of each topic covered, an ability to apply their nascent business skills to real-world environments, and the ability to access and understand further, more in-depth information should they want to.
Who is the course for?
This course is aimed at biologists in academic or industry environments with an interest in commercialising their research, e.g. PhD or post doctoral researchers working on translational projects, or those with a biology background and general interest in entrepreneurship.
What does the course cover?
The course takes place over three days, and covers 10 topics.
Day 1:
- Enterprise. Creating value, stakeholders, product, process, resources, professional ethics and more.
- Marketing. Kinds of marketing, communications models and branding.
- Sales. Rational robots, heuristic humans, emotional entities. Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM).
Day 2:
- Law. NB: We do not, and do not purport to, offer legal advice; we provide general information for delegates about law important to entrepreneurs.
- Accounting. Choice of structure, accounting methods, taxation, production costs, etc.
- Finance. Why it matters, pros and cons of different types. Budgeting, cashflows and company valuations.
- Employment. How to build a team.
- Stress. Looking after yourself and others.
- Negotiation. From knowing what you want, to closing the deal and reflecting afterwards.
- Business Plans. Creating a business plan and understanding your audience.
Who are the course trainers?
Digital Remit helps entrepreneurs dream, learn and grow, through strategy, training, production, events and funding. Their training courses are engaging, innovative, practical and demanding. They receive outstanding feedback from their alumni.
Justin Jackson holds an MBA, PgDip IDM B2B (postgraduate diploma in marketing), and Dip CIPR (postgraduate diploma in public relations).He is a Chartered Marketer, Chartered PR Practitioner, and SFEDI® accredited business support professional. He is a Fellow of the CIM, CMI, IoC, IDM, IoEE, InstLM, and RSA. He teaches for CIPR, CIM, and the Open University. He currently holds three Lectureships at the University of Oxford.
Francesca Granelli is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and Corporate Financier (CF). She has worked with PwC and EY in their audit, due diligence, and corporate finance teams for around 20 years. She is a SFEDI® accredited business support professional, as well as a Fellow of the IoEE and RSA. She is an Associate Lecturer at the Open University and for CIPR and CIM. She also teaches undergraduates and postgraduates at the University of Oxford.
Charlie Wilson scraped through with a BSc in biology from Southampton University in 1978 and has been a member of the Society or its predecessors almost ever since. Although he has never worked in the biosciences he has always regarded himself as a biologist who happens to be doing other things. Those other things have included a career in the Royal Navy during which he led bomb-disposal teams and commanded ships in peace and in war. He is now an independent consultant and executive coach. With master's degrees in both Coaching and Behavioural Change, and Leadership and Management, he works with industry, banks, small businesses and schools to improve how they work together.
Certification and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
A certificate of attendance will be provided after the event.We evaluate all of our training events, to make sure that we maintain a high quality of training.
This event has been approved by the Royal Society of Biology for purposes of CPD and can be counted as 54 CPD points.
Professional Registers
This course supports registers competencies and has been identified as supporting competency development for: Chartered Biologist (CBiol), Chartered Scientist (CSci) and Registered Scientist (RSci).Competency areas:
- Interpersonal skills
- Personal responsibility
Fees
Members - £250 + 20% VAT per dayNon-members - £500 + 20% VAT per day
Get in touch with training@rsb.org.uk to access these rates:
- Members of Member Organisations, SCAS members - £375 + 20% VAT per day
- Non-members who have completed a membership application and made payment - £250 + 20% VAT per day
Book two days and get the third half price*
*For example, for an RSB member booking all three days, the cost would by £625 + 20% VAT.
Bookings of five or more receive 50% discount on the full, non-member rate. Please contact training@rsb.org.uk to book.
Contact
For further information about the course please contact the RSB team at training@rsb.org.uk or on 020 3925 3460.Special requirements
If you have accessibility requirements, please let us know during your booking, and we will do what we can to accommodate your needs.Refunds
Unfortunately, the Royal Society of Biology is unable to offer refunds on training courses that have been attended. We do, of course, welcome and encourage any feedback from a course and will continue to improve the service we offer.Terms and Conditions
By booking to attend this event, you are confirming you have agreed to the RSB's Terms and Conditions which can be found hereCode of Conduct
By its Royal Charter, the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) has the powers to promote, establish and support standards of professional skill and conduct. The RSB is committed to ensuring equal opportunities in the life sciences, and supports diversity throughout the pipeline. We proactively promote a culture of inclusivity within our discipline and the broader STEM community. It is vital at any RSB event or meeting, that everyone attending is free from any form of harassment or discrimination, feels comfortable and safe, and has the opportunity for an enjoyable experience.