Starting a postdoc in a new country in the midst of a pandemic

In my blog introduction I promised a recount of my experiences starting a new postdoc during the pandemic. For me at least it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. Although a touch melodramatic, I felt that breaking it down into stages summarised the highs and lows fairly succinctly.  Stage 1: Giddy anticipation twinged with dread  As an avid traveller (pre-COVID), I was so excited about the prospect of moving to a new place and… Read More Starting a postdoc in a new country in the midst of a pandemic

“Freedom comes with responsibility” – Career path of Qiaolin Deng

It’s a gloomy February afternoon when I head towards Biomedicum cafeteria to meet Qiaolin Deng. As much as I feel tired with the short days and lack of sunshine I am soon to be positively charged with the energy that beams from my interviewee. Qiaolin greets me with a warm smile and sparkling eyes. It’s a very exciting time in her career.… Read More “Freedom comes with responsibility” – Career path of Qiaolin Deng

Portrait of the Enemy; Hanahan & Weinbergs Cancer Contribution

  One of the great things about working at Karolinska Institutet is that its fame and medical specialisation ensure ever-present opportunities to hear great talks by major advancers in all fields of medical science. A little while ago I was able to attend a talk by one of the first names a young eager cancer… Read More Portrait of the Enemy; Hanahan & Weinbergs Cancer Contribution

Ways in which academia resembles a drug-gang

The working conditions of young researchers in the first few years of their academic career are surprisingly similar to the working conditions of low-rank drug-gang members. This provocative conclusion can be drawn from the blog post which I came across recently, although it was published in 2013 by Alexandre Afonso, Lecturer in Comparative Politics in the… Read More Ways in which academia resembles a drug-gang

A new voice

Hello, this is Sofia calling in from Huddinge campus and Life after the defense. I’m a new voice at this blog and I hope we’ll talk often. In my posts, I’ll talk to you about how life was as a PhD student, and how life is now, as an actual PhD. I’ll share my thoughts… Read More A new voice