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Biophysical Sciences Institute
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Launch of New ECR Series “What on Earth am I Doing (Next)?”

25 June 2025
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The Biophysical Sciences Institute (BSI) Early Career Researcher (ECR) group launched the new event series, “What on Earth am I Doing (Next)?”, on 4 June with a lively and well-attended session in the Department of Chemistry. The session was led by the BSI ECR groups’ chair Libbi Moon and new ECR member Matt Grobellaar and attracted researchers from across Durham University who were eager to explore career possibilities and share ideas.

The new series of events will deliver fast-paced, one-hour sessions designed to tackle real challenges faced by ECRs and offer practical advice and skills. Topics for planned sessions already include unconventional academic paths, industry Q&A panels and workshops for those applying to interdisciplinary roles. 

“Yes, this is what we need!” Attendee at launch.  

To support the series, the team have also launched a dedicated SharePoint site, where researchers can find resources, suggest topics, and stay up to date with upcoming events. 

Next up: “Wait, How Did I End Up Here (Academia)?” on 10 July. This panel session invites ECRs to hear from academics who took unexpected routes into academia. It’s a chance to ask questions, hear honest stories, and gain inspiration from diverse career journeys. 

Who should come? 

The series welcomes all Early Career Researchers—from undergraduates and Master’s students to PhDs, postdocs, and those starting independent research careers. Whether you are aiming for academia, industry, or something entirely different, these sessions are designed to help you. 

The programme is a collaborative effort, led by BSI ECR groups in collaboration with the Wolfson ECR group and the Careers and Enterprise EDAPT delivery team. 

 

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