Source: Nicole Bandow
"It is important to keep your eyes open and to have the courage to try out new topics/tasks."
Do you already know which career path is right for you? Do you know how to get there and which steps are up next? The BAM career fireside chats series invite alumni and other partners of BAM to an informal chat focusing on their career paths. Developed for BAM’s early career scientists, this series aims to help PhD students and postdocs figure out which career path would be best suited for them. We invite a wide range of professionals from different sectors, including science, industry and the public sector. Additionally, we aim to include different professional backgrounds. We ask our guests about their experiences and invite the audience to ask questions.
Dr Nicole Bandow, you did postdoctoral research at BAM in the field of contaminant transport and environmental technologies and are currently head of the "Laboratory for Water Analysis" at UBA. How did that come about?
During my postdoc period at BAM, I also took care of the organisation of the laboratory and guided the staff. That was a good opportunity to gain initial leadership experience. Until then, I had not planned a management position as a fixed career step. The tip about the job advertisement for the head of the laboratory for water analysis came from my network.
What special memory/experience did you take with you as a postdoc at BAM?
During my time at BAM, I worked on several project proposals and was thus also able to help shape the direction of my research. It was at BAM that I first became involved with other tasks such as standardisation and policy advice. This made the transition to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) easier for me.
What career advice do you have for young scientists?
There are often several possibilities in which direction you would like to develop your career. Not all paths are obvious. It is important to keep your eyes open, to have the courage to try out new topics/tasks and to leave paths that turn out to be unsuitable.
Are you a former BAM researcher? Did you work at BAM while pursuing your Ph.D.? Did you partner with BAM on a research project?
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