Career Advice on becoming a Research Fellow by Linda K (Full Version)

Summary

Linda Kerstein, a Natural Environmental Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, shares her journey in geological sciences. Initially studying in Ireland, Linda chose geology through a process of elimination and pursued postgraduate research, leading to an opportunity at Edinburgh. Her research focuses on understanding mountain building processes through active plate margins, with projects spanning India, the Himalayas, and Taiwan. Linda values fieldwork and the flexibility in her job, despite the challenges of low pay, and emphasizes the diverse career paths geology can offer, both in academia and industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Linda Kerstein is a Natural Environmental Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in geological sciences and researching mountain formation in Taiwan.
• 😀 Linda's father worked in the telecommunications sector in Ireland, while her mother was a stay-at-home mom, and they emphasized the importance of attending university.
• 😀 Despite her father's initial suggestion for her to pursue computing, Linda chose science, particularly geology, after studying biology, physics, and math in school.
• 😀 Linda attended University College Cork in Ireland, where she completed a four-year degree and eventually specialized in geology after a process of elimination.
• 😀 During her final year, a lecturer encouraged Linda to pursue postgraduate research, leading her to apply to Trinity College Dublin and the Open University in Milton Keynes.
• 😀 Linda met a woman from Leeds at a conference who suggested she apply for a project at the Free University in Amsterdam, which led to a research opportunity in her field.
• 😀 Research is a field of both highs and lows: moments of success and discovery are often followed by setbacks and the need to rethink previously understood concepts.
• 😀 Linda received funding from the Murray Curie Science Foundation, supported by the European Union, for her research at the University of Edinburgh.
• 😀 Her research focused on using specific techniques to study rocks in Ladakh, northern India, just outside the Himalayas, and has since received additional funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Natural Environmental Research Council.
• 😀 Linda enjoys fieldwork as part of her research, where she can collect data both in the lab and in the field, making the job more dynamic and hands-on.
• 😀 While geology-related research may not be the highest-paying career, Linda values the flexibility it offers, and many geology graduates go on to work in industry where they can earn more.

Q & A

What is Linda Kerstein's area of research?

Linda Kerstein is a Natural Environmental Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on geological sciences, specifically studying how mountains are formed and what sediments preserved in the geological record can tell us about this process.

Where is Linda's current research based?

Linda Kerstein's research is based in Taiwan, where she studies mountain building and the geological processes in that region.

What was Linda's father's profession?

Linda's father worked in the telecommunications sector in Ireland.

Did Linda's parents encourage her to pursue higher education?

Yes, Linda's parents were keen on all of their children attending university. Her father particularly insisted that they all go, though it was left up to the children to decide what they wanted to study.

What was Linda's initial career path suggested by her father?

At one point, Linda's father suggested that she go into computing, though she eventually chose a different path.

Which university did Linda attend for her undergraduate degree?

Linda attended University College Cork, which is part of the National University of Ireland system.

What subjects did Linda study during her undergraduate years?

During her undergraduate years, Linda studied seven subjects, including biology, physics, and mathematics.

How did Linda decide to specialize in geology?

Linda decided to specialize in geology through a process of elimination. By her final year, geology stood out as the subject she felt she would do well in.

What was the international research project Linda got involved in during her PhD?

During her PhD, Linda became involved in an international research project funded by the European Union, which included 10 universities across Europe. The project focused on studying a time period from 300 million years ago.

What motivates Linda in her research?

Linda is motivated by the high moments in research when she feels like she's answering fundamental questions and everything is coming together. However, she also faces low points when her understanding of a project is challenged by new data.

What fieldwork experiences does Linda enjoy?

Linda enjoys being outside and conducting field research. She values jobs that allow her to work hands-on in the field, collecting data, and analyzing geological samples in addition to using computer models.

How is the pay in Linda's field of work compared to other sectors?

Linda acknowledges that researchers in her field are probably worse paid than most people might expect. However, she views the flexibility of the job and the ability to pursue passionate scientific inquiry as positive aspects that outweigh financial compensation.