Case studies : Publisher at RSC: Niamh O'Connor

Niamh O'Connor did a BSc Chemistry and a PhD in Organometallic Chemistry before joining RSC as a graduate trainee in 2004. She now works as a Publisher.

I loved science, but knew I didn't want to stay in the lab. Having worked part-time for a pharmaceutical company in my hometown of Cork, Ireland as well as continuing with my doctoral research, I responded to an online advertisement for the RSC's graduate training programme and soon found myself moving to Cambridge.

After a spell as a technical editor - reading literature and compiling databases - I have progressed my editorial and publishing career and I now work internationally with members of the editorial boards of journals. Recently, I have been involved in establishing two new titles.

We're launching a new journal soon and it's been really exciting. Members of our academic community have wanted more choice over where they publish their work. We looked at the potential, worked with other people and gauged the response. Now they have new options. I'm pleased to have found a career that I really like doing every day.