Where did you go and what did you do?
I spent my placement at the Astbury biostructure laboratories at the University of Leeds as a member of the Cryo electron microscopy facility team. During my time, I was responsible for training and supervising users on various technical facility equipment, providing an efficient supply of consumables for users and generally developing methods for sample preparation of cells on cryo-em grids for in situ structural biology work.
What made you want to do that particular PIPS?
I wanted to further technical skills I had developed during my PhD and expand on them by using specialist equipment for in situ and tomography work, which is not readily available at York. Furthermore, I wanted to see what it was like working at a specialist facility as an alternative to postdoctoral work which would keep me close to scientific research but be different to working in a single lab.
What skills have you gained from your PIPS?
I have gained further technical skill in sample preparation and using various pieces of equipment at the facility (confocal microscopes, plunge freezers, and Focused Ion Beam scanning electron microscopes). In addition, I have learned how to be more adaptable and responsive both to changes in requirements from users and other team members.
What has been the impact (or likely future impact) of your PIPS?
I think this PIPS has been useful in providing me skills which could help expand my ability in the adjacent field of cryo electron tomography. It has also provided me with insight into what working in a facility is like and provided me with a viable alternative to postdoctoral work.
How would you sum up your PIPS experience?
PIPS has been a welcome change of pace from the PhD and has left me with more skills than I had coming in. It’s been a great opportunity to meet new people and help grow my professional network of connections.
Don’t be afraid to push for a PIPS that suits your interests. I have chosen to do quite a scientific PIPS because that’s what I wanted to do and felt would be the best use of my time.