Academic perspectives
The PFDC interviewed recent Fellows and Lecturers and asked their opinion on different subjects related to academic career progression and their current work.
Academic Routes
Can you describe a typical working day or week?
A typical working day or week
What are the main skills that you use in your role?
The main skills used in your role
What has helped you to make your career decisions?
What has helped to make career decisions
If you could go back, would you do anything differently?
Is there anything you would do differently if you could go back in time?
How have you used your networks for career development?
How have you used or developed your networks to aid your career development?
What advice would you give to increase visibility?
What piece of advice would you give to someone to increase visibility or develop their reputation?
Any advice about the application and interview processes?
Do you have any advice about the application and interview process?
Meet the Speakers
Meet the Speakers
Dr Maria Papathanasiou
Current role: Lecturer
Organisation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London
Research background: Masters and PhD in Chemical Engineering
Dr Ajay Ghambir
Current role: Senior Research Fellow
Organisation: Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
Previous organisations and roles: Before joining Imperial College, Ajay has previously worked in Consulting and Finance, as well as an Economist for the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change
Research background: Interdisciplinary research MEng in Engineering, followed by a PhD in Energy Economics
Dr Sarah Rouse
Current role: UKRI Future Leaders Fellow
Organisation: Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London
Research background: PhD in biochemistry (theoretical) followed by a series of postdoctoral positions in experimental labs
Dr Julia Stawarz
Current role: Royal Society University Research Fellow
Organisation: Northumbria University, Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering
Research background: PhD in space plasma physics, followed by postdocs and fellowships in Physics
Dr Angela Kedgley
Current role: Reader
Organisation: Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London
Previous research field: PhD in mechanical engineering, followed by postdoctoral research on biomechanics of the hip and the knee