Day in the life of
Associate Professor – Mark Coster, BSc PhD
My job was a combination of research, teaching, and dealing with piles of paperwork. So, a portion of each workday would be spent in the lab, which is my favorite place in the world! Surrounded by tons of various substances, immersed in data and scientific papers – it was a true definition of happiness.
Another facet, not less interesting and dynamic, was teaching. Even though I am an introvert who doesn’t really like the spotlight, it turned out I actually enjoyed that too.
Finally, the third part of each workday consisted of filling up various types of paperwork, churning out dozens of pages of research grants, and dealing with procedures. Unfortunately, it was time-consuming and often frustrating, which brings me to the next point.
Pros
When you earn a PhD in organic chemistry, chances are your main driver will be research! Indeed, doing research was the greatest benefit of my job, apart from the fact that it was a secure 6-figure position with all the perks one could ever wish for.
Another wonderful thing is that this job taught me how to teach other people! There’s hardly anything more satisfying than seeing that spark of scientific inquiry in young people’s eyes and minds, hearing their takes on different problems, getting to learn from them in return.
Cons
However, the biggest con (which eventually got me to quit the job) was the bureaucracy that looms large behind every bit of research that you undertake. Every research needs funding, which you’ll either get or you won’t. It’s often disappointing, and many times downright frustrating.
