Gurshinder Kaur

DPhil Researcher, University of Oxford

Please tell us about your current role and employer

I am currently a 2nd year Chemistry PhD researcher in the Langton group at the University of Oxford. I am conducting research within the area of supramolecular chemistry, looking at developing artificial ion transport systems that mimic the function protein channels and pumps carry out in nature.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?

As a PhD researcher, the work schedule is pretty flexible and, most of the time, up to the student as to how their time is best allocated to their research. I like to have my week structured and well-planned ahead of time, as I find that is the best way to be productive. I work in a wet lab and can be found there at 8.30 am Mon-Fri. Majority of the day is spent in the lab conducting experiments and writing up results. The nature of my research is such that it is a mix of organic and analytical chemistry, and I am able to switch between the two however I see fit. Chemistry is such a temperamental subject that what time I leave the lab in the afternoon can vary.

What was your journey to getting a job after graduating from Birmingham? 

I wasn't entirely sure if research in an academic setting was the right path for me for the first three years of my undergraduate degree. I went on an industrial placement at AstraZeneca (Macclesfield) in my third year and I really loved that experience, but would research in academia suit me as much? The answer came in my final year when I conducted my Master's research project in the Pike group. I liked the ability to be at the head of a project and to be able to conduct and design experiments as I thought best. I also realised that there are certain soft skills, such as asking the right questions and finding links between different aspects of research, that I felt I hadn't developed fully as a researcher yet. Hence why I decided to apply to PhD programs alongside my Master's studies. The application process consisted of exploring available funded programs, contacting prospective supervisors I would like to work with, applying by submitting CV and cover letter/personal statement and conducting the interviews if successful. Out of the 5 applications I had sent off, I got offers for a PhD position from 3 of them, and the whole process took me around 4 months. The nice thing about applying for PhD's is that they all have very different deadlines and, no matter how far along the year you realise you might want to pursue a PhD, the chance of there being something available is pretty good.

How do you feel the learning experience on your course helped to prepare you for your career?

During my first two undergraduate studies, I delved deeper into all three aspects of Chemistry and that allowed me to understand which one suited me better. This made the basis of what I then did during my last two years. For both the industrial placement and the Master's project, I delved deeper into aspects of Chemistry that I had learnt about in previous years. It felt fulfilling to be able to put things I studied in lectures into application, and learn about the intricacies and differences between theory and practice. The practical experience that I gained while studying at Birmingham formed the basis of the kind of work I liked and I wanted to pursue further.

How did the University's support services (e.g. Careers Network) help to prepare you for your career?

My undergraduate experience was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, so I was not able to be on campus much for the second-half of my 1st year and the whole of my 2nd year. However, Careers Network transitioned very well and they offered lots of online workshops to support current students. I found those incredibly useful when I was applying for the industrial placement at the beginning of my 2nd year.

What are your top tips for students graduating today?

Seize as many opportunities, both relating to studies and not, as possible. Moving forward, you never know what might be useful or not, no matter how carefully you have your future planned out. University is the one place where you can be the most flexible in life, so why not make the most of it?

What were the best things about your course?

Despite my experience being affected by the pandemic, I really appreciated how supportive the School of Chemistry was during that time. They really made sure to not let students down in a time of uncertainty, in circumstances that they had also never encountered before. I also really loved both the practical experience I gained at AstraZeneca and in my last year at Birmingham; in both places, I worked as part of a bigger team and it felt nice to be discussing and working with Chemistry alongside incredible people.

What was your biggest achievement during your course?

I really loved the last two years of my undergraduate course; they were the most intense years but also the most fulfilling, and I learnt a lot about myself during that time. They were the boost I needed to improve my skills and they are ultimately what allowed me to be where I am now.