1. Veterinary Basic Sciences
A Career in Academia
Dr Charlotte Lawson
Cardiovascular Group
Veterinary Basic Sciences

2. What is research?
1 : Careful or diligent search 2 : Studious inquiry or examination;
especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws 3 : The collecting of information about a particular subject

3. What Interests Me? Subject areas Working environment
Immunology, molecular biology, cardiovascular biology, human cardiovascular disease and prevention, veterinary diseases, basic cell biology
Working environment
Variety, creativity, independence, improvisation, practical work, responsibility, passing on knowledge, people, travel, team work, management, writing

4. My Career Path… School Undergraduate degree PhD
A levels: biology, chemistry, physics
Undergraduate degree
Animal Science (Wye College, University of London)
3rd year project: molecular analysis of wheat ATPases (!)
PhD
Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (CXWMS, UofL)
“Molecular analysis of shedding of human p75 TNF-R”
Post-doc
Harefield Hospital (Imperial College), Transplant immunology group
Fellowship
British Heart Foundation Intermediate Fellowship (Harefield Hospital)
Royal Veterinary College, London
Lecturer in VBS
(Lifestyle (Cardiovascular) research group)

5. What do I do in my day? Design and carry out/oversee experiments
Analyse and discuss data
Write papers
Present papers at meetings
Write grants
Teaching
Committees and admin ()
Still have fun ()

6. Career options on graduation?
PhD
Postdoc Research
Fellowship/Lectureship
Why choose this route?
like research; the “buzz”
teaching?
Emphasise that skills acquired during time in research useful for all of above careers

7. Or… Work as a technician/research assistant, part time PhD
Work in a clinical lab (trainee Biomed scientist, trainee clinical scientist)
Accreditation then part time PhD
Senior clinical scientist/biomedical scientist

8. What is a PhD?

9. What is a PhD?

10. What is a PhD? Training in independent research
A variety of techniques
Scientific publications
Presentations locally and internationally
A THESIS!
Many generic and transferable skills
Time management, team working, organisation, presentation, assertiveness
Freedom to develop own academic interests

11. Criteria of success
Scientific publications (impact factors, citation indexes…!)
Research grants (money)
charity, industry, research councils
Scientific reputation
invited talks, editorial boards…

12. £ Not money…… PhD – about 14-15K (age 21-25) Post Doc 25-30K
Lecturer 25K – 40K
(age 30-40)
Senior Lecturer/reader 40K – 50K
(age 35-50)
Professor 50 – 70K
(age 40-…)
No company car/perks, but ok pension and reasonably secure (and you don’t need a big wardrobe budget!)

13. “Normal” Career path First Degree (MSc) PhD Post doc position x1 or x2
Research fellow
Lectureship (tenure)
Senior lecturer/senior research fellow
Reader
Professor

14. Benefits Academic freedom! Creativity! Long term goals and targets
Self motivation, self driven
Varied activity – hands on, teaching undergrad and postgrad
Writing
Travel
Sabbatical leave
Few constraints
Kudos (editorial boards, invited speakers, review panels)
Deadlines!

15. Summary Many different ways of entering research
Great way of combining basic science & clinical work
Don’t need to be a clinician
Fun, exciting, innovative, variable, travel, independence, team work

16. So… If you are the sort of person who has moments Doesn’t mind
Is not too motivated by £
Likes to be creative
Enjoys and and

17. A career in academia could be for you!
Then…
A career in academia could be for you!

18. Thank you for listening!