Name: Ana Jiménez Orgaz (she/her)
PhD: Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, 2019
What was your main area of research?
I studied the retromer complex which is a multi-protein complex known to organize the recycling of transmembrane proteins from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network and to the plasma membrane. Retromer is also recruited to endosomal membranes in part by RAB7, a small GTPase protein. The aim of my research was to broaden the current knowledge of retromer function and endosomal trafficking.
What is your current job?
I am a Product Marketing Manager for Genedata AG in Basel, Switzerland.
My job entails marketing strategy to promote a product and its features to a specific target audience. I work at the intersection of product development, marketing, and sales. Some of my responsibilities are product positioning and messaging, product launches, sales enablement, market research, and competitive intelligence.
I love the interaction with different functional teams.
How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?
During my PhD, I volunteered doing digital marketing for a non-profit organization. When I was finishing, the recruiter of my current company reached out and asked me whether I was interested in a marketing position at the company. After a couple of years I changed to my current role. There was a vacancy and a colleague suggested to my boss that I could be a good candidate for it.
PhD graduate + volunteering ➡️ scientific marketing specialist ➡️ product marketing manager
Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?
It was not for me. It took me some time to realize and to understand other paths. I live in a city with a strong life science industry, and I could see many other jobs for people with my profile.
What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?
Mingle with people that don't work in academia. Don't wait to finish your PhD.
Volunteer, have a side job during your PhD or do an internship in a company before starting your PhD.
Attend events (webinars, conferences, job fairs...) about career paths for PhD students organized by your institution, city, or online.
Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?
I think I was influenced to follow an academic path by my parents (their generation wished their kids to go to university and pursue an academic career) and by the professors at my university that only pictured for us an academic career. Since my PhD, I live in a city with a strong life science industry and that opened my eyes to a different path.