Career stories on film

Alison completed her doctorate on the work of Dod Procter RA. She is now Head of Learning and Teaching at the London College of Fashion.

Andrew completed his doctorate in computer science at the University of Kent at Canterbury. He has had a variety of positions including at a government research organisation in Germany, at the University of York as a researcher and at a large internet company as a systems analyst. He recently took the decision to change direction and is now working as a potter.

Cara completed her doctorate in molecular pathology, then worked for three years in educational development – where, amongst other tasks, she taught PhD researchers. Through this she became interested in medicine and made the decision to train as a medic.

Elizabeth gained a scholarship to undertake a doctorate in high energy physics, and completed her research at Cern in Switzerland. She began her career as a research associate in the medical imaging department at the University of Manchester, and from there moved into intellectual property protection for a medical imaging company in Edinburgh. She is now working as an intellectual property management and innovation consultant.

Fiona completed her doctorate in marketing, and is now Head of Graduate Development, Kings College London.

Jean completed her doctorate on Andy Warhol's audio tapes, and is now a senior lecturer at UCA Rochester and an art critic working with – amongst others – The Art Newspaper TV.

Linda completed her doctorate in geology. After this she worked on a project at the Free University in Amsterdam. She then obtained funding to be a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, followed by funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh. She is now working as a research fellow funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council.

Maggie's first role was with the Ministry of Defence, combining knowledge from her first degree in physics with her doctorate in mechanical engineering. She returned to academia to work on building an instrument to bolt on to the Gemini telescope. She is currently working in both industry and academia as a space scientist and science communicator.

Prior to her doctorate in chemistry, Maggie worked in industry for companies such as Pfizer. After completing her doctorate she worked as a university researcher, and then as a research fellow at the University of Cambridge. After undertaking an MBA at the Judge Business School in Cambridge, she moved on to become a research translation specialist at the University of Michigan.

Mark completed his doctorate in cell biology. He then undertook four to five years of postdoctoral work before moving into industry to work for Smith & Nephew in York. There he was taken on as a cell biologist, and is now a team leader.

Mathew has a doctorate in information science. He has previously worked as a lecturer, and is now an education adviser at Queen Mary, University of London. As part of this role he undertakes educational research.

Matthew completed his doctorate in metallurgy. His first role was with a large material supply company. He went on to found an Internet business where he became Chief Operating Officer, and is now working as a business operations consultant.

Norman completed his doctorate in maths and geology. His first position after this was as a statistical analyst at Safeway. He then took a role as a trainee fund manager at Scottish Widows in Edinburgh, and he is now a financial adviser at Turcan Connell.

Paddy completed his doctorate in biology/life sciences at Strathclyde University. From there he took on a series of contracts, and is now a senior academic fellow in pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh developing his own research team.

Paul completed his doctorate in plant ecophysiology. Deciding to follow an entrepreneurial path, Paul has set up – and is Managing Director of – his own business, growing and selling truffles.

Dave completed his doctorate in artificial intelligence. He has worked as a lecturer, and is now a professor of applied logic and Head of School Elect for the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh.

Martin completed his doctorate in glaciology at Cambridge University. He then gained a lectureship at the University of Wales in Aberyswyth, followed by a lectureship at the University of Bristol. He is now Head of the School of Geosciences and Professor of Geosciences at the University of Edinburgh.

Ron started out as a research assistant for a pharmaceutical company. He completed his doctorate in synthetic organ chemistry, and then became a lecturer (eventually principal lecturer) and reader in organoanalytical chemistry at the University of Greenwich. He is now running a private forensic consultancy.

Having worked in investment banking after his undergraduate degree, Richard undertook his doctorate in engineering geology and became an engineering consultant. Five years later he completed an MBA, and is now the Chief Executive Officer of his own business.

Having completed his doctorate in psychology, Sam now works as a researcher in the area of wellbeing and quality of life at the Centre for Wellbeing – part of the New Economics Foundation in London...

Steve is a director of his own business.

Suzanne is a self-employed composer, and PhD student at the University of Edinburgh.