As part of the Careers Service’s ‘I’m a Researcher, What Next?’ series for PhDs and Postdocs, we hear Richard Goerke, Quantitative Researcher, Quantbot Technologies. Richard completed a PhD in Engineering at the University of Cambridge before joining Quantbot Technologies, a quantitative hedge fund, as an intern in 2018. Now a quantitative researcher, he shares what skills transfer from academia to a quantitative hedge fund, and why creativity may matter more than any specific technical background. Read more
Career Stories
Bringing mathematical rigour in the world of hardware – a journey into Formal Verification
This interview presents the first steps of Robert Simpson, a Maths graduate who found an unexpected, but natural home in Formal Verification (FV) at Axiomise. Drawn by a desire to apply rigorous logic to real-world problems, he shares how abstract mathematical thinking translates into ensuring hardware correctness at the silicon level. From the excitement of spotting elusive bugs missed by traditional methods to collaborating with experts on complex designs, Robert reflects on the mindset, surprises, and rewards of working in a field that blends philosophy, engineering, and detective work—revealing how precise reasoning can have a tangible impact on the technology that shapes our world. Read more
From Academic Researcher to Biotech Founder: Building a Career Beyond the Lab
Dr Marloes Tijssen shares her journey from academic research to co-founding New Platelet Company, with a clear mission: to manufacture blood platelets and help address the critical gap in donor supply. From PhD research and postdoctoral fellowships to coaching scientists and launching startups, her story is a candid reflection on career reinvention, the power of transferable skills, and the value of networking and support within the Cambridge innovation ecosystem. Read more
Your degree doesn’t need to match your career: Transitioning from natural sciences to performance marketing
In this blog, we hear from Megan Thomson as she discusses how she moved from her degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge to a career in performance marketing.
Megan studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. After completing her degree, she transitioned to a career in performance marketing. She spent the first 5 years of her career at a lead generation company, where she progressed from marketing executive to senior manager. She currently works as Head of Performance Marketing at Reedsy.
Perseverance, persistence and keeping your job search going
