Insight into: Careers in Research Science within Academia.

If so, come along to this panel event with a variety of science researchers/research support staff. Gain insight into how they obtained their jobs, and tips and advice for getting into a career in research.

Kicking off the event with an introduction from each panellist giving an overview of their career so far within research. The event will then move to Q&A giving students the opportunity to ask questions to each or all of the panellists. 

Following the panel there will be networking, nibbles and pizza. 
 

• Gurunatha Kargal: Research Associate UCL

Gurunatha Kargal is a Research associate within the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Faculty at UCL. He is a chemist and worked in various interdisciplinary projects. He completed his Ph.D. from University of Toulouse, France and later worked as a Postdoctoral researcher at University of California San Diego, USA. He has also worked for 'Vertex Pharmaceuticals' in Victoria, Canada.

He is currently undertaking his research on developing energy efficient thermochronic smart window coatings within the Materials & Devices department. 

Apart from his work he spends his time doing yoga, mountain hiking, volunteering and photography. 

• Fred Richards Research Fellow at Imperial College London

Fred Richards is currently a Research Fellow at Imperial College London within the Department of Earth Science and Engineering. His research investigates how the internal dynamics of our planet affect the processes that sculpt its surface, with a particular focus on sea-level change, ice-sheet stability and landscape development.

Before arriving at Imperial Fred spent a year at Harvard University as a Schmidt Science Fellow. He received a PhD in geophysics from the University of Cambridge and holds a Master of Earth Sciences degree from the University of Oxford.

• Michael Uong: Research Support Officer at Imperial College London

Michael Uong is a Research Support Officer for the Research Office at Imperial College London. Michael is currently focused on the implementation of two new systems to support research activities across the College.

Michael’s academic background is in education, holding a Masters in Psychology of Education and work experience at Times Higher Education and teaching in schools.

• Jaclyn Bell: Senior Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London

Jackie Bell is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Liverpool Mathematics Department.

As the first in her family to go to University, Jackie graduated with a BSc in Maths and MSc in Mathematical Sciences before pursuing a PhD in theoretical particle physics where she worked in the area of quantum chromodynamics, publishing three co-written papers before graduating in 2016.

Her current research interests are engaging underrepresented groups in STEM, methods of informal science learning and education, and effective ways of communicating science to the public.

Jaclyn is an advocate and champion for women and diversity within the sciences and recently awarded the WISE Rising Star Award for her efforts in encouraging more women and minority groups to engage with maths and computing, Jackie is passionately dedicated to raising the aspirations of children and adults from backgrounds similar to her own, challenging negative preconceptions and changing young people’s beliefs that higher education and careers in STEM aren’t for them.

For further information on Jaclyn

• Jean-Christophe Mauduit: Lecturer in Science Diplomacy

Jean-Christophe (JC) Mauduit is a Lecturer in Science Diplomacy at UCL for the Department of Science, Technology, and Engineering in Public Policy (UCL STEaPP). Prior to this he was a Visiting Scholar at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, D.C. and former Associate Director of the Science Diplomacy Centre at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston, MA.

Jean-Christophe, obtained a BSc in Physics from Paris XI University, an MSc and a PhD (2007) in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the Paris Observatory. He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher for the French National Centre for Scientific Research on the European Space Agency “Gaia” satellite mission and at the California Institute of Technology on the NASA “Spitzer” infrared satellite. While pursuing his scientific career, he was involved in many science education and outreach programs.

He seized an opportunity to further his growing passion by working as a Project Officer for the International Astronomical Union in Cape Town, South Africa, where he oversaw more than forty international projects aiming to develop astronomy research, education, and outreach in over thirty countries. The realization of the great disconnect between the political/diplomatic community and the scientific community was a second turning point, and he went on to pursue a Master of Art in Law and Diplomacy (2017) at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston and research issues at the intersection of science and diplomacy at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

He has volunteered as Associate Editor on the Journal of Science Policy and Governance (2016-2018) and now as its Director of International Engagement. He is also a member of the American Astronomical Society, the International Astronomical Union and AAAS."

• Nicola Guess: Associate Professor at University of Westminster and Research Fellow at King's College London (bio to follow shortly)

Get your questions at the ready and I look forward to seeing you on the 13th of January at 6pm!