2. This talk …
• Background (not bioinformatics!)
• Why I moved from research
• My job now, and how I got there
• What I like about it all
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3. Background – Graduate School
• PhD from University of California, Berkeley in Molecular
and Cell Biology.
• Thesis: Interactions in the Folding Intermediate of E. coli RNase H: Comparisons
with the Native State Ensemble
• Teaching:
• Introduction to Biochemistry Lab and Lecture (TA)
• Snapshots of a Protein: Methods in Detecting Protein Structure
• Oversaw the 7 month lab project of a Master’s Student
• Teaching awards (one ‘applied’ for)
Challenges: Juggling teaching and research
Advisor wasn’t thrilled
Payoffs: Opened the door to teaching
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4. Background- PostDoc
• MRC-LMB Biochemical investigation
of Myosin VI interactions with protein and lipid
• Three publications (Nature Cell Biology, Journal of Cell Biology, and
Annual Review in Cell and Dev. Biol.)
• Teaching:
• University Teaching Associate (workshops in teaching and presentation skills)
• Cambridge International Exams – Wrote and marked exams and course material in
Proteomics
Challenges: Two jobs! Takes time …
Payoffs: More teaching experience, exam writing, and
increased transferable skills like giving presentations
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5. Outreach for a Genomics Resource
• Mixes science and teaching into one job
• Supports research
• Bioinformatics resource- in an active and fascinating field
• Includes many different activities.
• Presentations/ teaching
• Video tutorials
• Helpdesk (email support)
• Writing help material
• Help with web design based on user feedback
• Usability testing (recent)
Challenges: Changed fields from protein biochemistry!
Genomics and bioinformatics! Lots to learn.
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Payoffs: Get to have one job now. Doing what I love.
6. Career Growth
• In Feb 2011, I applied for and moved to the Ensembl
Outreach Team Leader position.
• New job duties:
• Manage a team of 3 people
• Strategy and management meetings
• Decide directions and focus of our Outreach
• Train new members
• Maintain teaching and support
Challenges: Management is a new experience. A new
challenge! (EMBL courses help!)
Payoffs: Stimulating, I develop new skills, and what I do
has more impact on our project.
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7. What worked for me?
• Working hard
• Following what I loved to do
• Finding out what others do in their jobs (career paths)
• Sticking with an interesting and active project/field
• Recognising that scientific careers extend beyond basic
research
Follow your heart! What do you find fulfilling?
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