A career in Research and PhD
The research and academic sectors have their own unwritten rules and culture. To succeed, you’ll need strong analytical skills, perseverance, and the ability to think critically and solve complex problems. UvA alumni with experience in research and PhD careers will share their insights into the dynamics of academia, helping you determine if this path is right for you and how to navigate the application process effectively.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in research and PhD? Sign up for this session to meet with UvA alumni that have built a career in the Netherlands in these fields. Learn from their challenges, experiences and take good note of their tips and tricks.
Name: Lucy Gaynor
Study programme: MA Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Current position: PhD at UvA Research School for 'Heritage, Memory, and Material Culture', and NIOD-Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
Lucy's PhD project examines the ways in which history is narrated, and contested, in international criminal trials after mass atrocities. My focus is on Rwanda, Cambodia, and the International Criminal Court.
Advice: begin to find a network of people doing work you admire or aspire to do and learn from them
Name: Hee Baek
Study programme: MSc Biomedical Sciences, Psychopharmacology and Pathophysiology track
Current position: Local Trial Manager at Amgen
Hee Baek manages clinical trials of novel cancer drugs at a top biopharmaceutical company. Besides that, as a health equity advocate, she runs several initiatives in and outside of her company as she is on a mission to reimagine and redesign the healthcare system beyond hospital walls through partnerships with communities, academia, and industry.
Advice: learn a basic level of Dutch to showcase willingness to learn, adapt and grow and don't focus on a perfect first job but allow yourself to experience and learn as you navigate the job market.
Name: Justin Yeung
Study programme: BA Communication Science
Current position: PhD candidate at Network Science Institute, Northeastern University
Justin Yeung's research project focuses on using statistical and physical models to study complex human behaviours in different sociotechnical systems. His current role involves a lot of coding, maths and playing around data!
Advice: learn dutch, don't be shy and connect with people and fellow students. Build an online portfolio, go to events and don't be fixated on just academic research positions
Name: Monalisa Goswami
Study programme: MSc Molecular Design, Synthesis and Catalysis (Chemistry) and PhD in chemistry
Current position: Senior Business Developer at TNO
Her role is to find the right partners and funding for technology commercialisation of low CO2 footprint chemical processes
Advice: be flexible, don't plan too much ahead and remain open and alert for unexpected opportunities
