• Question: In your view what do you think is the best scientist job??

    Asked by liammcp to Sive, Michael, Emma, Ciara, Cathal on 13 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Sive Finlay

      Sive Finlay answered on 13 Nov 2013:

      Hi Liam,
      I think it depends on what you’re interested in. If you love getting other people excited by science then you could go for a job in science communication, teaching or science journalism. If you want to use scientific discoveries for new business or technology applications then go for an industry job. If you like coming up with new ideas and making discoveries then go for a research job.
      I’m still a student so I guess my only experience of a proper science job so far has been doing my PhD. It’s a great job though because I get to do my own research and combine it with teaching undergraduates, writing for blogs and magazines as well as taking part in fun things like this!
      Sive

    • Photo: Michael Nolan

      Michael Nolan answered on 15 Nov 2013:

      The best job is to be able to do research all the time, without worrying about other stuff. That is why so many people like their PhD time and the postdoctoral time they would spend after that – they are 100% research focussed.

      If you stay in research, then what happens is you take on more responsibilities, like students, other staff, running projects, some teaching and not all of these things are fun to do. It is at the same time good to watch people grow under you, to watch your project bear fruit. I also enjoy the Outreach activities like I am doing right now!

      So getting a good balance between the fun research and the other stuff is the key thing to having the best possible job.

      M

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