PhD Career Stories11 Feb 2022

#106: João Graça Story

João Graça holds a PhD in Biosciences from Cardiff University and currently works as an R&D Project Manager for LIPOR, the entity responsible for waste management in Greater Porto (Portugal). His current projects mostly concern the valorisation of bio-waste to high-value products. João has been involved in the creation and coordination of Smart Waste Portugal Young Professionals (SWYP). This group, currently with 80 members, aims to create work and knowledge sharing networks between professionals working or interested in the circular economy. Prior to his current role at LIPOR, João has attained different positions in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries including Biological Scientist at LIG Biowise (UK), Early Stage Researcher at AstraZeneca (UK) and Research Intern at Anacor Pharmaceuticals (USA). In addition to the PhD, João also holds a BSc in Biosciences from the Catholic University of Portugal and a MSc in Biochemistry from the University of Porto.

In this episode, João tells us about his career story and professional journey, holding several roles in different Life Science fields and different countries. He talks about the reasons that led him to do a PhD, as well as the opportunities and challenges encountered along his path.

He closes the episode sharing valuable tips:

If you are not 100% set on an academic career, find an industry experience as soon as possible.
If you are considering a PhD position, make sure you have an affinity with your supervisor and future colleagues. It is also important to be fine with working conditions, infrastructure, resources and city.
Participate in work groups of your topics of interest.
Do not be afraid to contact researchers or interesting entities to get to know more about their work and to work in collaborations.
If you are finishing or have just finished your PhD and are set on breaking from academia, first explore what career options are available, get information and talk with professionals from different areas. Define the area to pursue and develop the requirements to break into that area.

To know more about João's story and the opportunities in the Life Science fields, please listen to this episode.

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(130)

#130: Interview with Ashley Ruba on Using LinkedIn To Advance and Pivot Careers

Are you one of the people who feels shy about using LinkedIn? Do you know about its potential but still hold back, in fear of having nothing worth sharing? You are definitely not the only one, and tod...

12 Jan 202442min

#129: Interview with Marie-Hélène Pelletier on How to Build Resilience and Break through Barriers

Do you feel stuck? Do you tend to procrastinate taking the next steps in your career? If you want to find out why this happens and how to move forward, you should listen to today's conversation with D...

8 Dec 202345min

#128: Interview with Flávia Sousa on Academic Mentorship and Transferable Skills

Has your academic path lacked solid mentorship and support? Do you feel that, in order to move up, you need management skills that weren't passed on to you during the PhD? Well, Flávia Sousa has "been...

10 Nov 202335min

#127: Interview with Gry Wester on Shifting Mindsets in order to Succeed

Are you feeling frustrated and unproductive in academia? Do you feel compelled to quit and completely change your career? Join us for an inspiring episode hosted by Tina Persson, featuring Gry Wester,...

13 Okt 202343min

#126: Katharina Schwaiger on Starting a Career in SciComm While Finishing a PhD

Are you a recent or soon-to-be PhD graduate trying to figure out the next steps? Have the events of the past few years gotten you interested in Science Communication? In this episode, you will hear fr...

8 Sep 202330min

#125: Carving Your Own Path: From a PhD to the Director of Business Development with Martin Trinker

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you realized the need for a fresh job title that better aligns with your responsibilities and skills? In this episode of PhD Career Stories, join our ...

11 Aug 202321min

#124: Simon Rittmann on Innovating on Two Fronts: Founding a Company while Thriving in Academia

You might have always wanted to be an academic, but what if your academic research brought up a groundbreaking technology that you knew could dramatically revolutionize industrial processes? Would you...

14 Juli 202333min

#123: Round table discussion with EATRIS on the power of soft skills in your professional journey

Are you curious why soft skills are crucial for your career growth? Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast is your gateway to practical tips, real-life examples, and...

9 Juni 202352min