From a postdoc: how could supervising a studentship benefit your professional development?
I am at the point in my career where I am putting together fellowship applications and this opportunity has aided in my transition to an independent research career. Being awarded this grant has provided me with the necessary skills in my professional development, to fully manage and plan a research project. Receiving this grant has also confirmed for me that a career in academia is the route I want to follow and has given me a very positive experience of student supervision. This has given me the confidence that I will one day be able to run my own research group. I was also able to deal with the necessary changes to the award, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully altered the project so that we could still carry out the research remotely. From this award, I have also gained experience in managing grant money, and in communicating effectively with the various university finance departments, ensured Tom was paid on time throughout the project time frame.
It is brilliant that the Microbiology Society provides the opportunity for early career researchers to fully manage a research project and to supervise an undergraduate student. This experience has been vital in enhancing my skills as a researcher and has helped to kick-start my independent academic career.
Find out more about how supervising a vacation studentship student could benefit your professional development here.
Applications for our 2021 scheme are now open and will close on 17 February 2021. Find out more and apply on our website here. For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Image: iStock/Olivier Le Moal