We are hosting Robert Nunan, Associate Director Biotherapeutics at Charles River Laboratories Portishead. CRL is a contract research organisation for drug development, with the Portishead site focusing mainly on cancer, infections, and autoimmune conditions.
Talk abstract: What does a career in science really look like beyond a PhD? I'll share my unplanned journey from neuroscience undergraduate to Industry Site Director via academic research. Along the way, my definition of “success” evolved - from publications and experiments to people, strategy, and impact at scale. I'll explore key inflection points: choosing breadth over specialization, stepping away from the academic track, and learning to translate scientific expertise into commercial and operational value. Reflecting back, skills developed at the bench - critical thinking, resilience, and problem-solving - became the foundation for leadership roles in a fast-paced industry environment. Equally important, this journey runs in parallel with raising three children and a passion for watersports - highlighting that careers do not exist in isolation. Whether you see your future in academia, industry, or beyond there is no single “correct” path, only the one you shape.
If you would like to meet the speaker please email Kathleen Sedgley: k.sedgley@bristol.ac.uk