Biochemistry and Beyond
A degree in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol opens doors to numerous and diverse career opportunities.
Joshua Savage, Senior clinical trial coordinator
I chose Bristol Biochemistry because of the reputation of the department and I preferred the course structure to that offered by similar institutions. The city of Bristol itself was a big draw to me too, and I have many fond memories of my seven years there. The most pivotal, inspirational moment of my degree was probably my third year practical project – having the chance to do independent, novel research persuaded me to do a PhD.
I did my PhD in the lab of Professor Poole at Bristol, studying platelet cell signalling. During this time I was an undergraduate laboratory demonstrator and note taker for a deaf student. I stayed for another year after my PhD but soon realised that I would prefer a more applied and translational research position so moved to the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit to work as a Trial Coordinator. Here I was promoted to a Senior Trial Coordinator and now work in the Children’s Cancer Trials team.
The best thing about a role as clinical trials coordinator is the feeling that you are actually making a difference to others’ lives by the research you are doing – in practice, this means giving cancer patients access to new and better treatments. My most notable achievements include securing a £2 million grant for a new study and opening new studies to recruitment. All these milestones come as a result of a lot of time and effort from a multidisciplinary team. Even with cuts to research funding, there are always many clinical research opportunities in universities across the UK.
Although a biological degree is not a requirement of my current job, my understanding of biochemistry is helpful when developing new studies. I also feel that without my degree, I would never have been appointed as a trial coordinator or subsequently been promoted to a position with greater managerial responsibility.