More to science: working as a Research Funding Manager

What is your scientific background? My scientific imagination was properly captured early on in my undergraduate studies at Cambridge by some fabulous lecturers from the Zoology department. I had enjoyed both science and arts subjects at school, but reckoned I was better at science, and for a time I thought I would become a doctor so chose my school subjects accordingly. When applying for university, taking the decision to study biology with no clear career goal in mind was scary at the time, but worked out for the best. I really got to understand how wide-ranging and interesting biology could be at university. I quickly became captivated by anything to do with animals and took modules in subjects like psychology, neurobiology and animal behavior. This led onto studying for a PhD in animal behavior under the supervision of Nicky Clayton and Nathan Emery – investigating intelligence in corvids and how their skills may be similar to those in the great apes. I loved being in close contact with animals every day – even in the rain or freezing cold! – and the continual advances in the field were inspiring. However I struggled with maintaining a sense of purpose and achievement in my own research, especially when it wasn’t going well, and I found it difficult to keep a sensible work/life balance. How did you transition from the lab to your current job? By the end of the third year of my PhD I was looking into options outside of academia. I felt strongly that I w...
Source: BioMed Central Blog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Biology Health Medicine #moretoscience Careers > Science early career researchers PhD Source Type: blogs