Looking to Launch Your Research Career?
Postdoctoral Researcher Rhianna Blyth has answered your questions about what it’s like to be a researcher. Having worked in both industry and academia across Europe, she brings a wealth of experience and has shared her insights to help guide you on your career journey.
Jump to Question
- How much of your time is spent on research versus teaching, admin, grant writing etc? How do you balance it all?
- What are the most important factors for an early-career researcher to consider when choosing a postdoctoral position?
- What makes a strong postdoc application?
- What was it like working internationally? What are the benefits or challenges?
- Are there things you think PhD students should prioritise more, or spend less time worrying about?
- What do you wish someone had told you before you started your postdoc?
- What is your current research about?
- What do you enjoy most about being a researcher?
- What is the most challenging part of your role?
- What is it like working at Sheffield Hallam University?
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Meet the Host
Rhianna Blyth is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Sheffield Hallam University. She currently works on a project funded by The Humane Research Trust on utilising patient-derived decellularised tissues as scaffolds for developing immunocompetent models of bowel cancer. These innovative models aim to better replicate the complexity of tumours and their surrounding environment, with the ultimate goal of testing immunotherapies alongside stroma-targeting agents.
Rhianna began her scientific career with an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Genetics at Aberystwyth University. Following her studies, she spent 10 months working in industry as an Associate Scientist, where she gained experience in developing T cell therapies for cancer. In 2020, she began an integrated PhD at the University of Southampton, completing an MRes year before undertaking a three-year PhD project investigating the inflammatory environment associated with obesity in breast cancer, using 3D models. Afterwards, she undertook two short Postdoctoral Researcher positions in The Netherlands and Ireland, working on 3D tumour models, prior to returning to the UK.
Alongside her research, Rhianna is passionate about science communication and supporting the next generation of scientists. She regularly takes part in the In2Research programme, mentoring students who are considering a career in research. She particularly enjoys sharing her experiences of working in science and helping others understand what a PhD actually entails, and the variety of career paths available within research.
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