Over the past couple of weeks since my last blog, I’ve been working with my research group to commercialise some research that could be of considerable help to farmers and agronomists; turning an idea into a reliable, functioning diagnostic tool. Working with my research associates (RAs) on that kind of problem, I can’t help feeling a bit envious of their ability to focus on research and development. They’ve got so much potential and a whole career in front of them, but when you start on the journey it’s not always so obvious what the future holds.
Despite their importance to the research life of universities, RAs sometimes seem to have a lower profile than one would expect from their importance in delivering the outputs and impacts from the projects we carry out. Importantly, this is a very creative and productive part of a researcher’s career. Perhaps I am harking back to that period in my own career as rather a golden age. When I finished my PhD I went on to take up a post doc RA position at Royal Holloway, based out at Egham. They were just moving the labs so everything was a bit chaotic. We were setting up new facilities from scratch, which was hard work, but intensely exciting, with plenty of ideas exchanged and joint projects to develop. At the same time there were frustrations. I was conscious of some gaps in the organisation of the work. For example we were using radio isotopes in the lab but there were no proper procedures set down. I could see that nobody else was going to take on the paperwork so I did it myself. That’s when I realised how important it was, even when I was in a junior position, to step up and get on with things, rather than assuming someone else would do it. That was a good lesson for life.
Of course it wasn’t all work. There were a lot of laughs and a good social life. I look back to an era when I was able to enjoy doing research, probably more than at any other time before or since. It was also where I met my wife, so I have a lot of positive memories of that time. But as far as the job was concerned, I always knew it wouldn’t be permanent. I was on a three year research council-funded contract and after two years I knew it was time to move on and spend some time in industry. That move was a bit of a culture shock, if I’m honest. I went from a place where we had an attitude that was, at times, somewhat mischievous, to a workplace that seemed much more serious, though I did manage to find one or two like-minded colleagues. Of course we wouldn’t have dreamt of indulging in any childish japes involving helium or dry ice – that would have been very much against the rules!
Our RAs are, I’m sure, much better behaved than I ever was and well aware of health and safety regulations. Their dedication and expertise deserves more recognition. As senior staff we do need to be aware of RAs’ enormous value to our research and also bear in mind their training and career needs. Working with us is only one step along their career path, so let’s do everything we can to make it a positive one for us and for them.