Case studies: Research associate: Emma

Emma did a year in industry during her pharmacology degree before doing a PhD. She is now a university research associate.

After completing my year in industry with a pharmaceuticals company, I decided that I was definitely going to apply for a PhD because I’d really enjoyed seeing how the theory I’d learned in my degree could be applied to the real world and decided a career in science was for me.

I wanted to continue with my studies because I thought it would be difficult to progress as a scientist if I didn’t have a postgraduate qualification. While I was studying for my undergraduate degree I was fascinated by neuropharmacology and decided that I would like to study this further, but when I searched for PhDs in this field I couldn’t find anything suitable. However, while I was looking for PhD opportunities I came across an advert for a study which was taking place in the Neuroscience and Psychiatry department of my university. The study was directly related to the issues I wanted to explore in my PhD so I volunteered to participate in the project and through my involvement in the study I found out who to contact with regard to getting involved in this kind of research. I followed up my contacts and eventually managed to secure a PhD position within the department. I absolutely loved the area I ended up studying so was delighted when the university decided to keep me on as a post-doctoral research associate when I finished my PhD.

I’m currently researching the neurobiology of craving and poor impulse control in heroin addiction so I’m involved in data collection and data analysis for this project. I’m currently recruiting patients to participate in the study and then carrying out neuropsychological tests with them before conducting brain imaging scans. I then follow the participants up to see how they do over the next six months, which enables me to identify which patients are most vulnerable to relapse after detoxification.

I especially like the fact that my job is so varied. I can be at university analysing data one day, at the drug detox units recruiting and meeting patients the next, and then at the brain imaging unit the next. I’m also involved in dissemination so I get to attend international conferences to talk about my research.

I want to continue to develop as a scientist and eventually lead my own lab.

Be proactive. Think about what you want to do and exactly what you need to do in order to get there and then do it. If you don’t know what you should be doing, contact someone who is already in this role for advice, or a career advisor. Due to the ever increasing competitiveness of the job market, I’d advise graduates to do it sooner rather than later, or risk being left behind.