Queen's University Belfast - The Theory of the Postdoc Evolution

In this episode Dr Ruth Flanagan talks about going into research because she wanted advance knowledge and create social change around sexual health and literacy. After realising PDRA roles didn’t fit her values, she rebuilt her identity in professional support and now works as a Research Impact and Engagement Officer, helping others connect research with society.

This is an engaging conversation with Dr Ana Sara Cordeiro, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics and MPharm Programme Director at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde. In this podcast, Dr Cordeiro will reflect on her academic career to date, from her postdoctoral research at Queen’s University Belfast to her transition into a permanent academic role...

In this episode Craig Davison will delve into his captivating career journey, highlighting his transition from the laboratory to business roles as a scientist in cloud-based software companies. Craig worked in Cancer Research in pre-clinical drug discovery and translational development before leaving research for an industry based career path.

In this episode we are joined by Professor Su Taylor, Professor of Structural Engineering and Head of the Intelligent and Sustainable Infrastructure Group at Queen's University Belfast. Su will discuss her career journey from Research Assistant and studying for her PhD, to becoming a Research Engineer and the first female Professor in Civil Engineering since the formation of Queen’s University in...

In this episode Dr Anthony Kavanagh will discuss his exhilarating career journey from Physicist to Senior Patent Counsel with Key Patent Innovations, investigating exciting technology and related monetization opportunities. You will get the opportunity to listen to some valuable advice on expanding your career outside of academia.

In this episode we talk to Dr Chris McCallum who will share his career journey from research into Industry. He offers some valuable advice on navigating your career when wondering whether to stay or whether to go.

In this episode we talk to Professor Victoria Simms about how she navigated her career aspirations whilst balancing other life priorities, including family life. She talks about her experience of being a female Professor before the age of 40 and what is next for her.

In this episode, Dr Lawrence Eagling discusses his career as a former postdoctoral researcher at Queen's University Belfast and how he then set up Swimming Head Productions, a documentary filmmaking company specialising in science outreach, sharing conservation and natural history stories.

In this episode, Dr Keziah Davison (Life Sciences Executive Search Consultant at Cranmore Executive Search) provides her insight as a clinical psychologist and biotech head-hunter on navigating the identity shift that comes with making significant career changes. She also outlines the types of opportunities available to PhD/Postdoctoral Researchers outside academia from industry to consulting, as...

This episode features an interview of Dr Manuela Moser, Festival Director for the Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Manuela discusses the wide range of tasks her role implies, and reflects on how she got where she is in her career.

This episode features an interview of Dr Eliza McKee, Principal Researcher Northern Ireland Records at The National Archives UK. Eliza discusses her transition from PhD to her current role, what she does, and how her experience at the National Archives fits in her wider career and research.

This episode is the recording of a panel discussion on career options for postdocs and PhDs outside academia, including entrepreneurship, focusing on individuals with a range of engineering backgrounds. it features Dr Mark Coughlan, R&D Physicist at Andor Technology, Dr Roy Bitrus, Director of Sales at TenzorGEO Ltd and Co Chair AFBE UK Scotland, and Dr Rebecca Lutton, CEO at Lintol Ltd.

This episode is the recording of a panel discussion on career options for life sciences postdocs and PhDs outside of academia, focusing on research roles in the public sector, start-up companies and big pharma. it features Dr Deborah Cox, Managing Director at Lagan Valley Scientific, Dr Billy Hunter, Senior Marine Chemist at Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI) Northern Ireland, and Dr Suha D...

This episode is the recording of a panel discussion on career options for postdocs and PhDs in the public sector or non-governmental organisations, focusing on policy-related roles in the health-, social- and environmental-sciences. It features Dr Claire McCartan, Senior Researcher at the Northern Health & Social Care Trust, Dr Bethany Waterhouse-Bradley, Programme Manager (PEACEPLUS) at Special E...

In this episode, Dr Kyle Matchett (Lecturer, Ulster University) talks about his experience of becoming a lecturer, including how he got teaching experience, his approach to leadership, and his take on moving institution when becoming a Principal Investigator. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Dr Sheila McCartan (Data Strategy Team Lead, Exploristics) shares her experience transitioning from a lab-based postdoc to an industry role in clinical trials analytics and consultancy, including how she upskilled in coding and R. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Dr Elaine O'Reilly (Associate Professor of Chemical Biology at University College Dublin) reflects on how she became an academic in the UK and Ireland, including the impact of mobility and family life on her career and work-life balance. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Dr Delphine Wagner (Director Regulatory Affairs at Kinesys Consulting Ltd) talks about her experience working in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and how individuals with a PhD can transition to similar careers. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Dr Caroline Barelle (CEO and Founder of Elasmogen) talks about her career journey from postdoc to biotech entrepreneur, and Kat Maguire (Lean Startup Programme Manager, Queen's University Belfast) highlights some of the innovation programmes she manages, and how they enable postdocs and PhDs to take a step towards commercialising their research and becoming entrepreneurs themselve...

This episode compares the experience of Edel Hyland (Senior Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast), an academic and previously postdoc in the USA, to the one of Jocelyn Tillner (Head of Research and Development in BarthHaas), group leader in a hops company, highlighting some of the similarities and differences between academia and industry. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Cheryl McFarlane, Assay development and validation manager for Almac Diagnostics Services, shares her experience of moving to industry after her postdoc, focusing on hiring practices and opportunities for progression in the company. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Vijay Tiwari relates his experience of building an academic career, with specific emphasis on how great mentors, planning successive steps strategically and moving all over world enabled his succes. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Janet Diffin, Retail Analyst (Consumer Protection) for the Northern Ireland Utility Regulator, highlights her approach to looking for positions in the third sector as well as tips to translate your skills and experiences to roles that appear away from research. Presented by Alice Dubois

This episode features Dr Panchali Kanvatirth, Research Scientist HTS at AstraZeneca. She talks about what it feels like to work in big pharma and how she transitioned from postdoc to her new role. Presented by Alice Dubois

In this episode, Dr Paul McCague introduces the ins and outs of the education-focused academic path and how his passion for teaching and getting out of his comfort zone led him to embrace it as his career. Presented by Alice Dubois