ECR Online Seminar Series

The BSGCT Early Career Development and Collaboration Subcommittee organise this series of remote sessions to promote the career development of our ECRs. The seminars are FREE to attend, and take place live and online.

We hope you find these sessions useful. If there are any topics that you would like to see included in future sessions then please contact the subcommittee co-chairs, Carly Bliss, Amy Geard or Rebeca Gil Garzon, we would love to hear from you!

Next Event

Details will be announced soon.

Thursday 27th April 2023, 12.00pm-13.15pm

A day in the life of a PhD and postdoc

Join us for a panel discussion with early career researchers at differing stages of completing a PhD and a postdoctoral research project. Come with plenty of questions to this interactive event!

FREE REGISTRATION

CPD Credits: BSGCT members can claim 6 CPD credits for attending these seminars. These credits can be claimed by current members who are registered with the Royal Society of Biology CPD scheme. Details of how to claim the credits will be provided during the seminar.

Previous Seminars

A day in the life of a PhD and postdoc

BSGCT ECR Seminar Series: Medical Science Liaison

Speaker: Dr Anastasia Petrova, Medical Science Liaison, Sanofi

Mapping it all out: Using a canvas to plan fellowships

Speaker: Emma Williams, EJW Solutions Limited

Planning a fellowship or grant proposal is difficult! Have you thought of everything? Impact? Stakeholders? Who you need as partners? This talk will highlight using a tool from the world of enterprise to illuminate the way forward for proposals.

A profession in Academia or in Industry? Is there a middle ground?

Speaker: Dr Anji Miller, LifeArc

“Those who have a love for science are often led to believe that career options are limited. Through this talk I hope to open your eyes to the growing career options available and the less well-known Technology Transfer profession.” - Anji.

Technology Transfer: Protecting and commercialising the outcomes of your research

Speaker: Rhian North, Research and Innovation Services, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University

Rhian is a Technology Transfer Project Officer working to identify potential innovative opportunities and develop their impact and commercialisation. This webinar will summarise the different types of intellectual property associated with University research and outline the commercialisation of such research in the context of gene and cell therapy.

The 5-week job search blueprint that ensures a PhD-level industry job offer

Speaker: Dr Isaiah Hankel, CEO Cheeky Scientist

Transitioning from academia to industry can require an overhaul to your job search approach. Dr Isaiah Hankel, CEO of Cheeky Scientist and internationally recognised Fortune 500 consultant, outlines the blueprint for successfully applying to jobs in the biotechnology industry, making the transition as seamless as possible!

How to get involved in public engagement

Renée Watson, Head of Explosions, The Curiosity Box
Renée is a science communicator and entrepreneur. In 2008 she founded WATS.ON, an association development company which works with scientific societies and associations. She has run science engagement activities in hundreds of schools and managed the Oxfordshire Science Festival, growing it to 100 events and 30,000 participants. In 2016, Renée founded The Curiosity Box, a STEM subscription box aimed at families of 4-11 year olds and state primary schools.

Rhoda Quist, London STEM Ambassadors Coordinator (North and East London), STEM Learning ltd
STEM Learning are committed to STEM education. They deliver teacher CPD (continuing professional development) in STEM subjects, bring STEM role models into schools as part of the STEM Ambassador Programme and providing bespoke, long-term support for groups of schools in collaboration with companies through their ENTHUSE Partnerships. Their aim is to provide a world-leading STEM education for all young people across the UK.

Careers in medical writing and publishing

Dr Sarah Mancini is a Medical Writer at McCann Health Medical Communications. Sarah initially completed a MSci in Biochemistry and PhD in Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Glasgow with a Diabetes UK studentship. Since graduating in 2014, Sarah pursued two post-doctoral posts before leaving the University of Glasgow to join McCann Health. Sarah will give a talk entitled ‘Careers in Medical Communications’ and give an important perspective on using your PhD/postdoctoral skills to pursue a career in science outside of academia.

Dr Eve Rogers received her PhD from the University of Liverpool, investigating the role of the mechanical environment and circadian rhythm in adult stem cell differentiation. During her postdoctoral studies at UCL, she employed gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas and lentiviral vectors, in hiPSC and hESC research. Eve joined the editorial team of Communications Biology in January 2021 and where she now handles papers in cell and molecular biology, stem cells, cancer, biotech and beyond.
Communications Biology - www.nature.com/commsbio/
Communications Biology Editors - www.nature.com/commsbio/about/editors

Transitioning to independence: A UK and US perspective

Speaker: Dr Lynda Coughlan, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Vaccine Development & Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA.

The idea of research independence can be daunting, and can often seem unattainable. In this session, Dr Coughlan discussed valuable tips on transitioning towards academic independence. Drawing from her extensive international research experience, Dr Coughlan shared various approaches and examples of ways to positively drive your research career towards independence.

Career Paths in Industry – Both Inside and Outside the Lab

Next Phase and OXGENE

If you are looking to move from academia into industry, it can be hard to know where to start and what career options are available. Next Phase is a life science recruitment agency, based in South East UK. They specialise in placing people in Pharmaceutical, Biotech and ATMP organisations across the UK, Europe and USA. Next Phase have helped many people to find the scientific career that is right for them, whether their ambitions are inside or outside the lab. They presented insights into different possible career paths, backed with real-life examples of people who have moved away (even if just temporarily) from academia.

Top tips on writing your early career fellowship application

Recording not available

Speaker: Dr Candace Hassall, Head of Research Affairs, Wellcome Trust

Candy Hassall provides expert support to prospective applicants, Wellcome Trust-funded researchers and, importantly, the members of their teams. She is also working with others on the #ReimagineResearch initiative that aims to identify ways to improve research culture: for example, by redefining excellence so that it’s not just about what researchers produce, but also how they do it. She held a British Heart Foundation Basic Science Lectureship at University College London before joining Wellcome in 1996.