I am Clizia, a PhD student in Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Tromsø, and I participated in the internship program with DLN from September to December 2023. I applied because I wanted to delve into the private sector's research dynamics, gain hands-on lab experience, collaborate in teams, and expand my network. How did it go?
I had the great opportunity to spend three months in Trondheim, at Vectron BioSolutions where I was involved in both research and client’s projects. There, I learned that research can still be exciting outside academia. In Vectron BioSolutions there is a constant effort to improve their systems for recombinant protein production and secretion and this allowed me to explore and get into the details of protein structures of their host organism, E. Coli. I had the chance to experience how exciting it can be to work on client’s projects to produce many diverse recombinant proteins and to follow the entire process, from the gene mutation to the vector’s insertion, gene expression and protein isolation.
Collaboration and teamwork were key words in Vectron. I have learned how powerful it can be to share knowledge and ideas, to help each other, to work together and to be interchangeable for any project. I have also learned that a good planning, good communication and a clear common vision, can be a game changer for a group of researchers that work every day together towards the same goals. In Vectron, I did not have a single day where I did not feel part of the group. I worked side by side with fantastic scientists that made me feel welcome from day one, that shared their knowledge with me, and that very patiently taught me every tiny detail or tip that could be useful in the lab.
Finally, it turned out to be beneficial to take a break from my PhD project because I came back to it with fresh eyes and renovated energy. Thinking about my initial motivation for applying for this internship, I can say that reality surpassed all my expectations.
Centre for Digital Life Norway Industry Internship
PhD students in Norwegian biotechnology have the opportunity to explore career options outside academia through Digital Life Norway’s Internship Program.
New 2024 call is out! Apply by 31 January 2024. ►