How to have a career in science without necessarily being a scientist
Science, research and innovation are core disciplines that will undoubtedly help the human race address many of the key challenges it faces. Whether it is dealing with climate change, ending world hunger or living healthier and longer lives, we need to create environments that will enable scientists and researchers to make ground-breaking discoveries to be made. That means building a support network to work alongside them made up of individuals with other skills and disciplines.
Raising awareness of the opportunities for non-scientists to work in the science sector was the theme of an event organised by Norwich Research Park at the Norwich Science Festival. Aimed at young people who are starting to think about their future career, it featured short talks from members of the Norwich Research Park community about their jobs and careers in disciplines as varied as research, marketing, finance, construction, facilities management, therapy, architecture, operations management and nursing.
The talks were followed by a lively ‘speed-dating’ style Q&A where attendees were able to quiz the presenters about their individual roles and day-to-day activities, how they got into their line of work and the opportunities they have to contribute towards ‘making the science happen’.
Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organisation at Norwich Research Park, opened the event by talking about the growth plans for the park campus, which has 30,000 people on site. With 100,000 sq. ft of start-up accommodation, 1.6m sq. ft of land with planning consent available and a number of new buildings about to be started, there is a real sense of excitement about the coming years.
She said, “As we grow, so will the number and variety of jobs on offer as new companies are established and grow and other businesses relocate to Norwich Research Park. And, it won’t just be jobs for scientists. There will be all sort of jobs, as we are showcasing today. It’s important that we share news of these opportunities with the people of Norwich. Norwich Science Festival is an excellent platform for us to engage with young people who are starting to think about their future careers.
Roberta Hook, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk and Norwich NHS Foundation Trust, looks after the day-to-day operations at the hospital from patient admission to the point they are discharged.
She said, The beauty of today’s event is that we can show young people just how many career paths there are and the different ways they can start working in a research-based environment at both the hospital and across the park campus. Whilst academic qualifications are important, we also showed that passion for something can open just as many career doors. The important thing is to keep being curious and find out what is really possible.”
Emma Waters, a postdoctoral research scientist at the Quadram Institute, works with dangerous pathogens in her work sequencing DNA.
She said, “I grew up in Norwich and discovered the Research Park thanks to an A-level summer placement at the John Innes Centre. That experience introduced me to the diverse science community and incredible research happening right on my doorstep and inspired me to become a scientist. I only spend about a third of my time in the lab; the rest involves collaboration, communication and global travel to places I’d never have imagined visiting before.”
Natassja Bush is CEO and co-founder of Inspiralis a company created as a result of research carried out at the John Innes Centre. It supplies enzymes to institutions around the world for use in further research.
She said, “Science is one of the key drivers of economic growth in the world and there are lots of jobs in it. Engagement with young people in our communities is vitally important to show them what options exist. One of the most important lessons I learned is that you can be involved in research without having to be a researcher.”
Samantha Graham, Enterprise Network Manager of Anglia Innovation Partnership, shone a light on the different services, facilities and skills that a fledgling company emerging from research needs to succeed.
She said, “When researchers have an idea for a business they don’t really know where to go for support on things like patenting their intellectual property (IP), creating a web site, designing a brand, raising finance or establishing industry partnerships. The support network we are building at Norwich Research Park has to support these very real needs and that means great job potential.”
Sarah Bennion, Finance Director at Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) Partnership, manages the finances for the four research institutes at Norwich Research Park, the John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Earlham Institute and Quadram Institute.
She explained, “Finance is really important in science as so much of it is publicly-funded from Government so accountability is key. My job is to take care of the finances so that the researchers can focus on what they do best without any distractions. Whilst my expertise is in finance, I still feel involved in being part of something really worthy and it is very rewarding to know we are supporting our scientists.”
Gurpinder Singh Sidhu, a postgraduate researcher at the John Innes Centre, talked about his exciting work at the interface of computational sciences, physics and biology.
He said, “I love working in science because I like solving complicated problems. I think the only two qualities you need to succeed in science are curiosity and a drive for learning. If you have those, you can gather the skills and knowledge needed to investigate a problem and help advance our knowledge of this world.”
Elissa Manzi, is a lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at UEA, specialising in stroke rehabilitation and brain trauma.
She said, “The therapy I deliver crosses many streams of science, both biological and neurological. Many people are unaware how varied speech and language therapy can be and that we can work with people at all stages of life, from neo-nates to end of life care. I want to raise awareness of the opportunities speech and language therapy offers as a career. As well as the medical and scientific aspects, you also need a certain amount of creativity to tailor therapy to each individual. What we do really does make a difference to people’s lives.”
Suzanne O’Donovan, from SRA Architects, talked about how architects design buildings for the science sector that are inspirational, beautiful, sustainable and safe.
She said, “I think back to when I was young and the value of being given a steer on where to look for a career. There isn’t just one path into any job and I think it is important that we break down some of the misperceptions that exist around science. We need to inspire young people and get them interested in all of the opportunities available to them.”
Alex Mackay, Construction Director at R G Carter, gave an overview of the specialist aspects of building premises for science-based research.
He said, “I have been involved in building projects at Norwich Research Park for 20 years. When embarking on a build for science it is very important to understand what you are housing and the specific requirements of the organisation and its people who will be working in it. It is incredibly rewarding to finish each job knowing that you have played a role in supporting world leading research to take place in Norwich.”
Adrian Ramdass is a Lead Nurse Endoscopy Services at the Quadram Institute/Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
He said, “One of the most important jobs we have is to generate sufficient interest amongst young people so that they can replace us when it’s our time to retire! It’s not just nurses and doctors working at the hospital, it’s physiotherapy, IT support, communications and lots more disciplines. Most people don’t see half of what goes on behind the scenes to make the hospital run smoothly. It’s a very rewarding environment to work in, alongside so many different talented people.”
The event was well received by those that attended. Parent, Antony James, said, “It’s been an eye-opening event and it is great to have direct access to the speakers. Their message, that as long as you have a passion for science there is a pathway for you to work in the sector, is a powerful one.”
Paul Pearson, 16, of Wherry School Sixth Form, said, “I found the event to be very informative and I have established an interest in this field, especially in microbiology. I found it to be very educational and a really good introduction to what Norwich Research Park offers in terms of careers.”