1. Elaine Ferguson Lecturer in Polymer Therapeutics The Academic Scientist My Story School of Dentistry Yr Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth 27 st Jun 2014 Postgraduate Career Options

2. 1999-2003 MPharm University of Manchester 2003-2004 MRPharmS AstraZeneca & Glenfield Hospital UndergraduatePostgraduatePostdoctoralLecturer Career History 2013-present Lecturer in Polymer Therapeutics Dentistry, Cardiff University Pharmaceutical formulation, clinical pharmacy 2004-2008 PhD (drug delivery) Pharmacy, Cardiff University Bioresponsive polymer therapeutics for cancer 2009-2012 Wellcome Trust Research Fellow Dentistry, Cardiff University 2008 EPSRC Research Associate Chemistry, Cardiff University Physicochemical analysis and rational design of polymer therapeutics Bioresponsive polymer therapeutics for regenerative medicine (infection, wound healing, stem cells)

3. Academic Career Pathway Usually involves a period of uncertainty, a succession of short term and/or part- time contracts, alongside the pressure to publish your work and establish your professional reputation. Moving to a different university is likely to help advance your academic career. Shows independence Demonstrates ability to establish yourself in new academic environment Builds research networks Learn new teaching and research techniques Permanent research only positions are much less common than traditional ‘research and teaching’ lectureships.

4. Royal Society, The Scientific Century: securing our future prosperity, 2010. Career Destinations of Science PhDs PhDPhD

5. 1999-2003 MPharm University of Manchester 2003-2004 MRPharmS AstraZeneca & Glenfield Hospital UndergraduatePostgraduatePostdoctoralLecturer 2004-2008 PhD (drug delivery) Pharmacy, Cardiff University Major achievements: Prizes for conference posters and talks Awarded 4 travel grants Published 5 papers Student supervision & teaching Interdisciplinary research projects Career History 2009-2012 Wellcome Trust Research Fellow Dentistry, Cardiff University 2008 EPSRC Research Associate Chemistry, Cardiff University Major achievements: Funding from STFC, EPSRC, MRC, Wellcome Trust, pharmaceutical industry and Welsh government (as co-I and PI) Prizes for conference talk and interdisciplinary research Invited talks at conferences More student supervision, teaching & marking Published 7 papers, 1 patent Attendance at competitive workshops & courses (e.g. Welsh Crucible) 2013-present Lecturer in Polymer Therapeutics Dentistry, Cardiff University Clinical/industrial experience World expert supervisor, networking, interdisciplinary papers New skills, department, collaborations, line manager New research area, supportive line manager, successful group GOOD TIMING RESILIENCE

6. Academia vs. Industry AcademiaIndustry ProsYou have more freedom of choice on your research Easier to find permanent positions Once in tenured position, job security is good Transferrable skills from PhD can open up more jobs than academia Stronger learning environment and ability to work with students Not as dependent on your research or personal publishing work ‘Better’ scienceGet to work on, and solve, real-world problems Flexible daily scheduleGenerally pay is better and no worries about funding ConsYou may end up over-qualified for some job positions Pharmaceutical industry in the UK is reducing Delays typical performance and income of youth More constrained and monotone Ongoing pressure to publish and submit grants/get funding Promotion doesn’t give you any more freedom in your research

7. BBSRC New Investigator Award <3 years full-time employment at lecturer or equivalent Funding for 3 years (no cap) Success rate: 37% Closing date: 24 th September 2014 http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/grants/new-investigator.aspx MRC New Investigator Research Grant 3-10 years post-doctoral research experience Funding of up to £600,000 for 3 years Success rate: 19% Closing dates: September 2014, January 2015 http://www.mrc.ac.uk/funding/how-we-fund-research/new-investigator- research-grant/ EPSRC First Grant Scheme <3 since appointment in first academic lecturing appointment Funding of up to £125,000 for 2 years Success rate: ~25% No closing date http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/howtoapply/routes/newac/firstgrant/ Funding Opportunities for New Lecturers

8. European Research Council Starting Grant For researchers with 2-7 years of experience since completion of PhD Funding of up to €1.5M for up to 5 years Success rate: 9-10% Closing date: March 2015 http://erc.europa.eu/starting-grants Wellcome Trust New Investigator Award <5 years since appointment in first established academic post Funding of up to £425k per year and for up to 7 years Success rate: 15% Closing dates: 25 th July 2014, 14 th November 2014 http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Biomedical-science/Funding- schemes/investigator-awards/wtx059284.htm Funding Opportunities for New Lecturers

9. Society for Applied Microbiology New Lecturer Research Grant For academics in their first academic appointment in a HEI within three years of the start date. Applicants with a major research grant from other sources not normally eligible. Funding of up to £10,000 **Applicants must have been a Full Member of SfAM for at least two years to be eligible to apply** Closing date: 30 September http://www.sfam.org.uk/en/grants--awards/new-lecturer-research-grant.cfm Fight for Sight New Lecturers’ Small Grant Award For academics in their first academic appointment in a HEI within two years of the closing date. Applicants with competitive research funding over £20,000 are not eligible. Funding of up to £20,000 Closing date: Summer 2014 http://fightforsight.org.uk/funding-types/articles/fight-for-sight-small-grants-awards- for-new-lecturers Royal Society Research Grant <5 years in permanent or limited-tenured academic position. Funding of up to £15,000 Closing date: June 2015 https://royalsociety.org/grants/schemes/research-grants/ Funding Opportunities for New Lecturers

10. How Has my Role Changed Since Postdoc? More teaching and marking Have had to do teaching qualification (PCUTL) Been appointed as a panel member for school and university committees Spend less time doing research, more time supervising others with research Lots more administrative duties Flexible working, but more work to do! Pressure to submit papers and grants

11. Practical Advice Establish a good track record of publications, prizes, grant applications, international collaborations, interdisciplinary research, teaching. Be selective about what to apply for/ get involved in. Make yourself indispensible. Have a clear action plan, with deadlines. Gain experience of working in different sectors and research labs. Keep links with the professions outside academia- useful for academic collaborations, funding or as a 'back-up career plan' in the future. Choose mentor/line manager, referees and collaborators carefully Be resilient to rejections and negative feedback Read Cardiff University’s guidelines on Academic staff roles (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/humrs/staffinfo/policyprocedures/index.html)http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/humrs/staffinfo/policyprocedures/index.html

12. An academic career: http://www.academiccareer.manchester.ac.uk/ Careers Tagged: www.careerstagged.co.uk UK Bioindustry Association: http://www.bioindustry.org/home/ Biotechnology Industry Organization: http://www.bio.org/ One Nucleus: www.onenucleus.com. Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry: www.abpi.org.uk Clinical Contract Research Association: http://www.ccra.org.uk Association of Clinical Research Organisations: http://www.acrohealth.org/ MedComms Networking: http://www.medcommsnetworking.co.uk/index.html Healthcare Communications Association: http://www.hca-uk.org/members.html Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys: http://www.cipa.org.uk/pages/contact Further Resources

13. Any questions or advice: FergusonEL@cf.ac.uk School of Dentistry “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle” Steve Jobs