Chance to launch a science journalism career? May 17, 2012
Posted by qmresearchers in Career Ideas, Science Communication.1 comment so far
It is always difficult to break into the world of science journalism without any experience. One way to get experience is to enter science writing competitions, which will start to develop your writing skills, look good on your CV and begin to get your name known (if you win!).
With this in mind, The Royal Society is running a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition. This is what they want:
•Short pitches (no more than 300 words, but the shorter the better) for a news story about any aspect of science, suitable for publication in Nature, the Guardian or Research Fortnight (although you don’t need to specify which – the Dragons will decide that on the day!).
•Examples of your writing – this isn’t essential but if you have some then do send them on. They can be links to online content, or attachments if they’re not readily accessible online.
•You should be an early career science writer – you might be a student, a recent graduate, a freelancer, or even a scientist with a great story.
If you are interested in the competition, click here for more details. You will have to act fast as the deadline is Friday May 25th.
Next Cafe Scientifique: 30th May 6pm – 8ish, World Marche May 16, 2012
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Increase your Research Impact Factor! February 28, 2012
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As many of you know, the impact of your research is becoming increasingly important. 20% of the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) will be dedicated to looking at the impact of your research and this will increase in for subsequent assessments. Part of making an impact relates to whether your research reaches a wide enough audience and so we are seeing an increasing number of ‘media-savvy’ academics on the television, on-line and on radio.
With the above agenda in mind, it might be worth considering a British Science Association Media Fellowship. The fellowships are open to scientists, social scientists, clinicians and engineers from different backgrounds and stages of their career.
If you are interested, click here for more details.
The Oxbidge Biotech Roundtable (OBR) February 2, 2012
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Dario Ceric, who is the PhD Representative for the Neuroscience Department within School of Medicine and Dentistry, has asked me to draw your attention to the following.
Dario is the campus lead for OBR, which is a network of students, academics and professionals from science, business, law and other fields. The purpose of OBR is to connect idea holders and curious minds across the UK with one another, and with industry resources. It offers numerous opportunities to collaborate and learn through our online publications, business development workshops, industry immersion programs, and speaker series at affiliated institutions, including visionary leaders from biotech, pharma, finance, law, and entrepreneurship.
Click here for details of an event that OBR are holding on the Thursday 9th February.
Click here for information on how to join OBR and details of other events.
The National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) recruitment site January 11, 2012
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If you are keen to work in the museum sector then this website might be useful for you. The National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI) is a group of museums that includes the Science Museum, the National Media Museum and the National Railway Museum. It has a recruitment site which is currently listing a variety of vacancies ranging from ‘New Media Engineer’ to ‘Assistant Content Developer.’ These are the types of roles that might suit researchers from a variety of backgrounds. Worth a look!
Dance your PhD? September 29, 2010
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For those of you that feel ‘expressive’ when thinking about your PhD, have a look at this website where scientists from around the world explain their PhD in terms of dance…yes dance!
If you are not feeling so brave, don’t worry. We do not ask this much of you at QM! However, if you would like to talk about your PhD to a group of other QM researchers then let me know.
I am looking for volunteers for the next Cafe Sceintifique on 13th October, 6 – 8pm. We are looking for a ten minute talk, using five slides……..a breeze compared to dancing your PhD! Contact me on t.j.bussoli@qmul.ac.uk if you are keen.
Looking for Work Experience in Science Communication? July 16, 2010
Posted by qmresearchers in Career Ideas, Science Communication.1 comment so far
This morning, my colleagues and I visited the wonderful ‘Centre of the Cell‘ at the Blizard Institute, Whitechapel. It is part of Queen Mary, School of Medicine and Dentistry and is a large, orange pod (see image) suspended within the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science.
School children and adults are taken into the pod where they witness a ‘futuristic science experience’. There are numerous interactive activities illustrating a range of principles including ‘how to culture cells’ and ‘the journey of a patient with Cystic Fibrosis.’ I have to say that we had a really great time playing ‘cell top trumps’ and seeing ourselves projected on the overhead screens. Yes, we waved when we saw ourselves!
As part of the many outreach programmes run by Queen Mary, the organisers at the Centre of the Cell are always looking for volunteers to help with shows etc. If you are thinking of working in the area of science communication, this would be a useful experience. You can contact Vikhas Chechi (vik@centreofthecell.org) for more information.
Are you a researcher in SEMS? July 14, 2010
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The Royal Institute are looking to recruit a researcher for the period September 2010 until January 2011 to help them with preparations for the Christmas Lectures.
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are an exciting event that take place annually, and have done since the 1820s and are broadcast on TV. The role will involve working with academic researchers, TV production companies, science communication professionals and assorted kids, animals and unpredictable props.
This year they will be on the subject of materials and materials engineering. The ideal candidate will be a graduate or post-graduate in a materials engineering-related field. They will be enthusiastic about communicating their research to public and student audiences, and will want to get a taste about how this is done.
To apply for this position, please send a CV, 250 words describing your work to Olympia (a non-specialist), and an idea for an interactive experiment that we could use in the 2010 Christmas Lectures. Please send these to Olympia Brown obrown@ri.ac.uk<mailto:obrown@ri.ac.uk>. Closing date for applications is Thursday 22 July and you must be available for interviews the week after.
Pay
£12,000 split over the employment period in equal monthly instalments
Medical Communications Workshop April 22, 2010
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A postdoctoral researcher from the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary has recently secured a post as a Medical Writer. As well as putting together a good CV, she attended events such as the workshops run by an organisation called Network Pharma. The Medical Communications sector is area in which there is a need for research scientists.
As it is difficult to get a feel for a career simply be reading about it, workshops and events focussing on different careers are another way to gain some insight. Here are the details if you fancy a look:
On 5th July there is a MedComms careers event will take place at Imperial College, London. This event is an opportunity for post-graduates and post-docs from the biomedical sciences departments within and around London and from other Universities, to meet with a number of medical writing and communications professionals for a highly engaging session which presents medical writing as an attractive career option.
Further details can be found at here.
If you have any questions regarding this event please contact Peter Llewellyn at peter@networkpharma.com
I’m a Scientist Get me Out of here April 22, 2010
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If you are interested in doing some work to inspire young people to work in science, have a look at this opportunity. “I’m a scientist get me out of here” is an opportunity to talk to 9-13 year olds from the comfort of your lab bench! That has to appeal to many of you!
You will be required to:
- Chat with young people answering their questions about science, research, and just about everything else…
- Volunteer a little time to speaking with your audience (usually 1-2hrs/day)
- Get young people thinking about how science affects their daily lives
The scheme is particularly interested in applicants working in the following areas:
- ‘Are we too clean?’ (could include allergies, asthma, immunology,
- antibiotic resistance, infectious diseases, infant mortality, etc)
- IVF
- Imaging (inc medical, but other areas too)
- Radiation
- Sports Science
- Happiness
- Evolution
- Cancer research
Click here for more information and to sign up!
