Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme

Hi

There is an interesting competition for Postgraduates and Postdocs to submit a hypothetical solutions based on biotechnology. The new Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (opens in 2014) will provide anyone taking part commercial awareness, entrepreneurial skills but also a chance to network with key industry leaders.

This is my final year PhD and although I need to concentrate on writing my thesis, I feel that this is a perfect opportunity for me to take part before I leave my university. I am waiting for this competition to open and together with a group, I hope we can come up with a biotechnology idea to enter this competition.

Benefits of taking part

• Prize fund of £5,000
• Enhance your CV
• Develop and improve transferable skills such as communication, negotiation and team-building
• Network with industry professionals
• Increase your commercial awareness and technology transfer knowledge

Final Year PhD Workshop

Good evening

Today I attended a workshop intended for Final year PhD student. My experience of this workshop is quite frankly scary. Scary in the sense that I now have to think about thesis - I have to start drafting documents, planning ahead and putting together something coherent for my supervisors within the next few months.

The workshop today was very useful. We went through the format of a Thesis and what to expect in a VIVA (along with a few urban myths about viva). We then had a very constructure Q & A discussions with a panel of experts who all had PhD and have returned 10-15 years later to tell us where they are and what they are doing now.

The afternoon session consist of how to look for a job, creating effective CV and covering letters.

Tomorrow will be interesting as we get to take part in 3 different assessment centre as part of the training programme. I hope this will prepare me for real life assessment centres to get a job in the future.

FutureLearn course: Inside cancer: how genes influence cancer development

 

Hi everyone

 

First of all, I would like to wish those who have been following my blog a happy new year. May 2014 bring you good fortune, health and laughter.

 

What a way to kick start a new year by promising yourself to learn something new. I happen to have found a cool learning website which has a list of free online courses ran by many of the UK top's universities. A course that has attracted my attention is Inside cancer: how genes influence cancer development.

 

The course starts on 20th January 2014 for 6 weeks, 3 hours per week. It is an ideal introduction for those interested in understanding how genetics influences the development and spread of cancer. I have registered for this course so why not join me and learn something interesting.

 

For further information about the course and to register for free please click on the link below.

 

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses


 

 

There are many other courses you can pick from.

 

 

Best wishes and I write to you soon.