Emma Horrigan
Membership Manager at Royal Society of BiologyMy research training set me up to rapidly synthesise information from a range of sources and to think about problem solving in a different way.
Researchers find all sorts of rewarding careers – smart people work everywhere!
Such diversity in potential roles can prove challenging when exploring your options. This collection of career profiles enables you to see what others in your position chose to do, why and how they made the move, and what they most enjoy about their job. You will get a feel for their daily activities, workplace culture and work-life balance.Top tip: Look out for authors’ insights into which skills developed during or after their PhD proved helpful in getting their job, and performing well there. You’ll be encouraged to see how people are building on their research expertise to thrive in newer roles.And don’t miss the “employer bio” at the end of each career profile for careers opportunities in each organisation.
Recent profiles
Heike Wobst
Principal Scientist at AstraZenacaWhile basic research will always be fascinating to me, it is the translational aspect of science that I want to dedicate my career to.
Deepak Mahtani
Community Manager & Data Scientist at PivigoCommunication is key! As a data scientist, your stakeholders could be from a technical or non-technical background. Being able to explain the work you are doing in a clear and easy to understand way is really important.
Velicia Bachtiar
Senior Biomedical Scientist at Perspectum DiagnosticsDon’t be afraid to reach out to people that have made the move and to ask them questions. There is a whole world outside of academia and the options are endless, you just have to look!
Elizabeth Irvine-Cadman
Senior Associate Consultant at Teneo Consulting (prev. Credo Business Consulting)Whilst I greatly enjoyed both research and teaching, I felt that in the longer-term I would enjoy the team-work and the fast-paced environment provided by consultancy.
Jane Alfred
Director & Co-founder at Catalyst Editorial, Ltd.If you are interested in a career in science publishing and communication, seek out opportunities to improve and demonstrate your science communication, critical thinking and writing skills.
Steve Wells
Director of Product Management at Adaptix ImagingIndustry and academia have different drivers so a mix of both during a career is good. Industry always has the reality check of whether somebody will pay for your work which forces you to be efficient and scope your work so that some results are regularly delivered.
Charlotte Taylor
Senior Analyst at Costello MedicalMy role is incredibly diverse with no two days ever being the same. I am constantly facing new challenges, trying out novel approaches and learning new skills, which keeps me motivated and engaged.
Diana Di Paolo
Senior Consultant at Cambridge Healthcare ResearchAs much as I enjoyed my PhD, towards the end of it I started hearing a little voice in my head that made me doubt if my long-term career was going to be in academia.
Lydia Harriss
Physical Sciences Adviser at Parliamentary Office of Science and TechnologyI have a lot of autonomy, which makes good use of the independence that I developed as a doctoral researcher.
Jeroen Bakker
Associate at M VenturesThink early about your next step and try to prepare yourself for that, and equally important, create a coherent story about why you want to do this!
Michalis Papadakis
Co-founder & CEO at Brainomix LimitedIf you want to make this leap, don’t think short-term. Be prepared for a rough ride that is full of excitement and will take you to new places that you, and even the world, has never seen.