A Career in Focus
Dr Lois Calder, Dean of the MASTS/SUPER Graduate School, has interviewed people across industry and academia at different career stages to gain their perspective on transitioning into the workplace from education, what their current job entails, and what it’s like to work in their sector. The interviews have been collated below so you can watch them at a time that suits you.
Aquaculture and fisheries
Phil shares their initial resistance to leave academia, and how fulfilling the career they have found in applied science is.
Ashleigh discusses their career to date, including their struggle to get their first sector-relevant job. Plus, an additional interview focusing on Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WISA), in particular, their mentoring programme.
Adam shares their journey as a researcher, through aquaculture to the Blue Economy, and how they now work closely with industry to make their science relevant.
James, who recently completed their PhD, talks about their new role in fisheries modelling. James also gives their thoughts on how to secure your first position post-PhD.
Renewables
Alex shares their love of the big picture and how they have found a role where they can use their skills effectively.
Raeanne describes their exciting and challenging job and how their varied background has equipped them.
Richard shares how they have found a role where they can work collaboratively with industry and researchers, to bring research into the renewables sector.
Beth shares their experiences, from commercial fishing to marine researcher, and talks about their unique perspectives in applying research to current challenges in marine ecology, including marine renewables.
A Career in Focus: Dr Elizabeth Masden, Research Fellow at the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) [transcript only].
Liz shares the work they do now, including their motivations, the importance of relationships, and knowing and valuing your own skill set.
Policy, management, and conservation
Ruth describes their ‘squiggley career’, acquiring a broad skill set as they moved from research, to consultancy, to eventually a technical and creative career in marine data management with Nature Scot.
Chris describes their career from Shetland to Plymouth, from on-the-ground conservation to policy and planning. They also highlight the benefits of internships and discuss the diversity of options for PGRs today.
Elena shares their motivations for working for the SFF, and the breadth of collaboration entailed.
With a background in behavioural ecology, Rona shares their career journey, their love of data, and bringing science and policy together to protect and restore marine systems and species.
Kelly talks about their love of diving and how it led them to a career in marine systems and data, how internships helped them, and how advances in AI and statistics are changing marine conservation.
Helen, who is returning to work from maternity leave in 2024, talks about moving from a geophysics degree into a career in data, whilst managing their life commitments.
Texa highlights that you never know where opportunities may lead, and how a part-time opportunity led her to a passion for community engagement and a job with NatureScot.
Kate shares their career journey through research and policy, and the benefits of trying different roles to broaden your experience.
Climate change, Blue Carbon, and challenged environments
Mark shares their passion for research, the rewards they get from their career, and how they are learning every day.
Max discusses their decision to move from research to industry, and how they feel they are making a difference through modelling ocean acidification.
Resources
- EURAXESS – a career development resource for researchers, including a job search, information and assistance working in Europe and worldwide, and funding opportunities.
- The PhD Careers Blog.
- Conservation careers advice.
- Useful tools to assess your capabilities and expertise as a researcher.
- Exploring career opportunities for researchers.