Inês Perpétuo
.
Biosketch
I am a Consultant for Researcher Development at the Postdocs and Fellows Development Centre, Imperial College London. I have 10 years of research experience in immunology and bone cell biology, co-authored 14 papers, and presented my research at 15 conferences. I did a BSc in Genetics and Microbiology (2003-2007), a MSc in Genetics and Molecular Biology (2007-2009) from Faculdade de Ciências (ULisboa), and a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology 2011-2015) from Faculdade de Medicina (ULisboa).
Both during my MSc and PhD I worked with the Rheumatology Research Unit (João Eurico’s Lab) at iMM. My research focused on rheumatic diseases, therapies, and their effect in bone cell percursors (monocytes). I developed a range of communication and organising skills by working in a translational unit with clinicians, engineers, and other biologists. I was a member of the iMM PhD committee and a PhD representative from 2012-2014. I moved to London, UK to do my postdoc on bone cell activity in mammalian species (2015-2018) at the Royal Veterinary College. I was a part of the Researcher Association, representing fixed term contract researchers (postdocs and technicians) within committees, understanding their career progression needs, and working HR to create skill development training opportunities.
I had been planning my transition to outside research in academia since my PhD and secured a role as Advisor at the Postdocs and Fellows Development Centre (Imperial, 2018). In this role I started supporting postdocs and independent fellows on their career ambitions via individual appointments, developing of online materials, and developing new training sessions. As a consultant (since 2020) I am now responsible for delivering and developing training workshops on career progression, for the Imperial Postdocs and Fellows Enterprise Network, and for external opportunities for postdoc development.
Testimony
iMM was my home for 7 years of my life and I cherish the moments I spent there. I was trained in most of my research skills, but also in all the other competencies that I currently use in my role. I was part of the first cohort of the Lisbon Academic Medical Centre PhD Program (CAML was created in 2009). During my PhD I attended training sessions on communication and writing, I had to constantly use these while working with hospital staff as well as patients.
I got involved with science communication activities like the European Researchers Night and the Fórum Ciência Viva. As a PhD committee member, I co-organised the PhD meeting scientific and social programme for 2 years, as well as some of the Summer and Christmas parties. I met some of my mentors and role models at iMM. Marta Agostinho and Inês Crisóstomo (training unit and PhD programme coordinators) were 2 of my major influences in my career choices.
As a PhD representative, alongside my colleague João Freire, I was involved in major transitions during iMM’s life – the Lisbon BioMed PhD Programme introduction (2012), and the start of iMM rebranding in 2014. At iMM I developed a wide network of contacts both within and outside academia which I still maintain and use to this day.
Contact
