Why do you start this job. – MRC Festival Zone 2018

Lauren Burns answered on 1 Jun 2018:

I started my PhD because I had finished my Masters degree and was not entirely sure what I wanted to do afterwards. Lucky, I was to be chosen to do a research internship, and my supervisor in that told me about some funding available (funding a PhD ain’t cheap!); we saw an opportunity, created a project, got accepted for funding, and now I’m here. It is a fantastic opportunity, and I am really enjoying it – so, moral of the story, don’t worry if you are not sure what you would like to do in the future, or if plans change, because not everyone has those ideas, and I am enjoying every second of this (surprising) journey. I am sure you will too!

David Grainger answered on 1 Jun 2018:

While I was doing my degree in Birmingham, I really fell in love with science and felt like I had not finished learning by the time I came to the end of my degree. I knew I wanted to carry on science. To do this I had three main options 1) Join a scientific company 2) Become a research scientist in a University lab 3) Get onto a PhD.

Each has it’s advantages and disadvantages but I went for the third option – getting a PhD in a university lab. This option gives me a lot of academic freedom – I can work on pretty much whatever I want (within reason of course) and it gives me many opportunities to progress my career and develop as a scientist. It is a lot of work but this comes pretty naturally when you enjoy it as much as I do.

Joanne Sharpe answered on 1 Jun 2018:

In my final year of university I was learning about dementia, and doing a project using fruit flies. I loved working with flies because I found the genetics really cool, and was amazed at how much potential there is to use fruit flies to study a variety of human diseases. I knew I wanted to help research into dementia as it such a horrible disease and affects so many people and their families, so I found a PhD that used the power of flies to understand more about dementia!

Claire Donald answered on 1 Jun 2018:

My favourite subject at school was biology and I knew I wanted to lean more about it at university. Unfortunately, biology is a big subject and you can’t study everything! So I decided to specialise in infectious diseases. These diseases are passed from person to person and are usually caused by infections by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. They can sometimes be very painful and gory! By learning more about them, I hope to be able to do something to stop them and help those people who are suffering from them.
I currently work on viruses that are spread by mosquitoes and we keep the mosquitoes in special cadges in the lab for our experiments. Its fun being able to dissect them- like getting my own back for every time I’ve been bitten!

Alexandra Hogan answered on 1 Jun 2018:

I started this job because I had just finished my research degree (my PhD) and I wanted to get another research position, and this job was advertised at the right time! The other main reason was because my partner and I wanted to move to London from Australia, so I was looking for something in a particular city.

Donna MacCallum answered on 1 Jun 2018:

I started my job because i Loved doing research – then I started teaching science too – now I also get to design new science courses (microbiology and mycology). One of my favourite things is getting to go out to schools or other events and talk to people about my science – we love to answer questions that people want to know answers to.

Claudia Bonfio answered on 1 Jun 2018:

Mainly because being a scientist allows me to feel free to express myself. I have always loved science and all the decisions I took gave me the opportunity to become a scientist.
It doesn’t mean you have to have a strong passion for something when you are a kid and stick with it… You can always change your mind. But every choice, every step, every experience you live with allows you to find your why.

Ashley Akbari answered on 1 Jun 2018:

I had the opportunity out of university to use some of the skills I had learned in a research project on a short term project, it was a great opportunity and allowed me to develop my skills further in a “real job”. I loved it so much I carried on and 11 years later I am still working on research projects.

Damian Mole answered on 2 Jun 2018:

I have always asked loads of questions, and always wanted to find out how things worked, rather than just being told “this is how it is”. So its about discovering new things. And that’s really exciting.
The pay is good, you get to travel, and you meet the most fascinating and clever people. What’s not to like?
Sometimes it’s is pretty hard work, and its really important to learn to cope when things don’t go your way first time. But that happens in every walk of life.

Jason Chu answered on 2 Jun 2018:

I started this particular job (my PhD) because I wanted to learn more about two of my favourite things in science. Immunology and imaging.
I now get to use cool 3D imaging techniques to understand immune cells better.

Alex Haragan answered on 3 Jun 2018:

This job lets me be a doctor and a scientist – I think thats great!

Imagine your two most favourite subjects at school. People might have said you can only have one – but this way I get to do both all the time.

We all need jobs to live and have a home and a family. Having a job I love means I get paid to do the things I like best – treating patients and discovering new things.
The best thing about the science is the ability to constantly talk and meet new people. Here I am talking to you – but last week I was in a pub giving a talk about science to a wide range of people, and I am always away talking at meetings and universities. Later this year I am even going to Canada to present my work.

Doing something you find interesting is great – but getting other people to hear about it and tell you that they find it interesting too is even better!

Hannah Farley answered on 3 Jun 2018:

I started this job to learn more about science and how to do research.

Camille Parsons answered on 4 Jun 2018:

I started my job, as I really wanted to help people but was pretty squeamish when I was younger and so I knew I would not be any good as a clinical doctor. I was good at maths, and so thought working in medical research would be interested. Working as a statistician in medical research, allows me to be an important member of a research team without having to deal with the gorgy bits!

Joey Shepherd answered on 4 Jun 2018:

I started my current job (University lecturer) as I had been a researcher in the lab for many years and knew I wanted to be a permanent scientist, so I applied for this job which means that as well as research in the lab and managing a research team, I teach undergraduate and postgraduate students. It’s good because it means you really have to keep on top of new developments and fully understand your field so you can explain it to other people!

Laura Hemming answered on 4 Jun 2018:

I’ve always been interested in mental health from as long as I can remember. But I think it took me a little longer to realise that what I wanted to do was research mental health. Originally, I had thought that I wanted to become a Psychologist, and help people with their mental health, but then I realised that although I do want to help people with their mental health, I wanted to do this by making new discoveries that can help to develop new therapies and ways of working that can help people with their mental health. As soon as I realised this, I knew that I wanted to be a scientist.

Helen Cooper answered on 5 Jun 2018:

I studied Zoology at university and have always been interested in working with animals. When I got my degree I found it difficult to get a job in a zoo or a veterinary surgery so I looked into other jobs involving animals. I became an Animal Technician, which is someone who looks after laboratory animals. I loved it so much, as I got to look after animals and know that I was also helping with medical research and advancement. I was promoted to the role of Research Technician and worked with mice studying viruses, and I now have the job of Breeding Facility Manager where I manage 3 mouse breeding rooms and 15 members of staff. I am a Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer so part of my job is to make sure that the mice get the best possible care.

Question: Why do you start this job.

Comments