The Theory of the Postdoc Evolution

In this episode, Dr Sarah Dolan explains how a Medical Science Liaison role enabled her to transition from a postdoc in cancer research to her position as Commercial Manager in Medical Nutrition in Galen Ltd. In addition to details on her actual role, Sarah shares her experience working in industry, de-busting a few myths along the way.

In this episode, Dr Derek Brazil (senior lecturer at Queen's University Belfast) highlights the different steps in his career, including his experience of travelling the world for research, and shares some tips to succeed in academia.

In this episode, Dr Brian Flatley (Business Strategy and Engagement Director at S3 Connected Health) reflects on how a degree in forensics and a keen interest in commercialisation led him to a PhD in cancer biomarker discovery and a career in healthcare technology start-ups.

In this episode, two recruiters from agencies involved in health-, engineering- and data-related recruitment discuss their experience recruiting candidates with PhDs and postdoctoral experience, including the type of roles they can move to. They also share tips for job seekers to get their online profile noticed, prepare a good application and get ready for interview, as well as how to approach their career.

In this episode, Dr Peter Kerr (Head of Operations at Sonraí Analytics Ltd and Director Global Business Development at ARC Regulatory Ltd) reflects on his career, especially his transition to the industrial sector and his multiple roles within the Almac Group. Peter shines a light on the variety of roles available in industry and provide tips to get to know more about them.

In this episode, Dr Shaun Spence, Cluster Investigational Product Manager at Sanofi, takes us through his role and his career in clinical trials management. Shaun describes the skills needed to succeed in this field, the process of transitioning from academia to industry as well as his experience of working from home.

In this podcast, we explore the lectureship recruitment process, gathering views from both members of recruitment panels, Prof Aaron Maule and Dr Karen McCutcheon, and recently appointed lecturers, Dr Donna Small and Dr Paul McVeigh. This second part focuses on Donna and Paul' profiles at the time they applied for their lectureships, application documents and interviews, as well as tips to get ready to apply.

This discussion is the continuation from episode #04.

In this podcast and the next, we will explore the lectureship recruitment process, gathering views from both members of recruitment panels, Prof Aaron Maule and Dr Karen McCutcheon, and recently appointed lecturers, Dr Donna Small and Dr Paul McVeigh. This first part focuses on generalities on lectureships and associated positions, the recruitment process and the profile of the ideal candidate.

This discussion continues in episode #05.

In this podcast, Chris Browne (Research Policy Manager in Queen's University Belfast) explains what the Research Excellence Framework (REF) is, what it is for, how it works and most importantly how it affects postdocs. Chris also discusses his role of Research Policy Manager and gives us an insight of other governmental assessment frameworks: TEF (Teaching Excellence Framework) and KEF (Knowledge Exchange Framework).

In this podcast, Lucy McKenna (Funder of Full Aeon Ltd, Learning designer, facilitator and coach) discusses her career path, her experience building her consultancy company and what it means to be self-employed. In her role, Lucy designs workshops and coaches people to help them feel fulfilled; she here shares with us a few tips on how to choose a career to be happy in life. Lucy also talks about one of her passions and gives us a glimpse of what work may look like in the future!