An opportunity for early career scientists to get inspired by speakers from a diverse range of career paths.
Early career scientists have a wide range of both general and highly specialised skills, which would suit numerous potential career paths within and beyond academic research. However, many PhD students, postdocs, and other early career researchers often struggle to access clear, comprehensive career advice that reflects the full breadth of opportunities available to them across academia and industry.
To support junior scientists in exploring these options, the Postdoc Committee at Diamond Light Source is pleased to announce the Early Career Scientist Symposium 2025, which will take place online from Tuesday 9 December - Thursday 11 December 2025.
The event will bring together speakers from a diverse array of scientific careers who will share their experiences and offer guidance on identifying and pursuing suitable job opportunities. Attendees will also have the chance to take part in a Career Management Strategy Masterclass and join a live Q&A roundtable, providing a valuable opportunity to engage directly with experts and discuss topics of interest.
Katalin Karikó - Biochemist whose pioneering work on mRNA technology enabled the development of the first COVID-19 vaccines and earned her the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Jim Al-Khalili OBE - Theoretical physicist, TV presenter, author and broadcaster
Adam Scaife - Principal Fellow and head of long range prediction at the Met Office and professor at the University of Exeter
Meganne Christian - European Space Agency astronaut reserve and Senior Exploration Manager (Commercial) at the UK Space Agency
Sarah Rogers - Director of the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Andy Beale - Professor of inorganic chemistry at UCL and group leader at Research Complex at Harwell
Renae Sayers - Director of strategic initiatives for Earth and planetary sciences at Curtin University, Australia
Simone Culugioni - Team leader in research integrity at Springer Nature
Stephen Blundell - Professor of physics at the University of Oxford and Professorial Fellow of Mansfield College
Charlotte Edwards-Gayle - Sales manager at Rigaku specialising in X-ray technologies such as XRD, XRF, and X-ray imaging
Phil Merchant - UK and European patent attorney in quantum technology, space innovation and software
Fred Mosselmans - Scientist and former principal beamline scientist on i18 microfocus spectroscopy beamline
...and more TBC!
There is no fee to attend the symposium, but registration is mandatory. Spaces are limited, and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once your registration is submitted and confirmed, further details (including the final agenda, link to join the event, and info about the speakers) will be sent to you via email closer to the event.
If you have any queries at all, please contact the Diamond Events team.
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
Diamond Light Source Ltd
Diamond House
Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
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