Where did you go and what did you do?
I joined the Science and Project Management team as an intern at Random42 – a medical animation company. They specialise in visual scientific storytelling through various formats such as high quality animations, infographics, and virtual and augmented reality for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
The science team are PhD-trained members involved throughout the whole process of an animation, so my role involved sitting in on client calls, researching the scientific background of projects, then drafting and referencing scripts. We create storyboards for the in-house animation team, and we also record AI voiceovers to create a draft of an animation. Along this entire process, there are multiple rounds of internal feedback with other members of the science team as well as the animation team, and external feedback from the clients.
As cliché as it sounds, no two days were the same! On any given day I could be working on a script about OCD, editing a storyboard about heart disease after receiving client feedback, then finishing off another storyboard about immune thrombocytopenia before briefing it to the animation team. The variety of topics kept the work exciting, and I really enjoyed the fast-paced environment I was in.
What made you want to do that particular placement?
I’ve followed a very traditional academic route so far and I wanted to see how the skills I have could be applied in a different setting, and how valuable these skills are in other industries. A PIPs at Random42 appealed to me as I knew it was going to challenge me to think about science in a new way – a chance to think more visually and create engaging narratives to tell a story – which I don’t get much chance to do while doing a PhD.
How did you go about finding and planning your PIPS?
The PIPs case studies listed on the WR DTP website was my first point of call. After reading through several case studies, I knew I wanted to do my PIPs at Random42. I sent my CV to Elly and Jen expressing my interest, and soon after we had a Zoom meeting set up to chat informally about what the role entails. It was all straightforward, and I appreciated that Random42 were flexible around start dates as I wanted to make sure my PhD was at a point that I was happy to take a 3-month break from it. They were also happy with my request for my PIPs to be hybrid, and I carried out most of my PIPs virtually.
What have you gained from doing your PIPS?
Naturally, I feel more confident about my science communication skills outside of writing in a very detailed and technical way that all PGRs are used to. I learned a lot about working in a fast-paced environment, as projects often move quickly so I needed to manage my time carefully to handle different projects at once. I also learned how to use the resources I have available more efficiently when researching topics I was very unfamiliar with, as scientific accuracy is at the core of every project.
I’ve gained a unique insight into client relationships, which I had never experienced before. Being able to handle their feedback constructively and understanding their personalities and expectations is so important to maintain good client relationships. I’ve also learned more about career paths as a whole – the science team are PhD-trained members and asking them about their career trajectories post-PhD was useful for me and I started to think about the things I could do after my PhD.
How would you sum up your PIPS experience?
I really enjoyed my experience at Random42, and I think a huge part of that is their work culture. They’re very collaborative and supportive of each other; everyone’s super lovely which made it easy for me from day one. That kind of positive environment made the work so much more enjoyable, and overall it was a very rewarding experience.
What advice would you give to other PGRs about PIPS?
Doing a placement is such a rare chance to try something different, so I would encourage others to use this opportunity to explore career paths you might not otherwise encounter! Regardless of what your PIPs experience shapes up to be, you’ll have much more clarity about how transferable your skills are, and whether it’s a career path you’re open to follow or avoid after your PhD.