Dr Kerstin Timm
Dr Kerstin Timm is a Career Development Fellow (CDF) in Pharmacology, appointed following a highly competitive open recruitment in 2020. Kerstin completed a PhD in Biochemistry at Cambridge in 2016 and was then successful in obtaining a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Immediate Postdoctoral Basic Science Research Fellowship in the Oxford Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG). She was then awarded a BHF Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) Fellowship which she started in DPAG and then moved to Pharmacology for the first period of her CDF. Kerstin also holds posts with Oriel College and Somerville College and has been successful since moving to Pharmacology in obtaining grants from the Returning Carers’ Fund, the John Fell Fund, the Academy of Medical Sciences and several awards from the BHF CRE.
What made you want to pursue a career in science?
I started studying politics, journalism and Italian; however, I realised during the first year that this was not the right choice for me and that I would enjoy studying something much more “factual” instead. After exploring a wide range of degree options I entered a veterinary programme in Berlin due to its breadth in syllabus and wide range of future employment options. I entered a 4-year PhD programme in Cambridge after graduation as I enjoyed the basic science modules of my degree the most. I had a fantastic time during these 4 years and felt more like “myself” than ever before – so I stuck with the basic science thing and went onto a postdoctoral fellowship.
What drives you and excites you about your job?
The flexibility and variety of tasks. I enjoy bench science as much as teaching, continued learning, writing and managerial work. I like the independence to pursue research questions that interest me. I like the autonomy to set up experimental methods myself, to choose my collaborators and to drive my research in the direction that the data leads me.
What are the high points of your career so far?
Establishing my main technique (high resolution respirometry) in the Department, which has already yielded very interesting data and fostered new collaborations both in-house and externally. During my postdoc fellowship I had the opportunity for a range of outreach events including in Philanthropy, with patient engagement and with the general public. I loved the challenge and experience of presenting and discussing my work in such different settings.
What obstacles have you had to overcome?
Moving Department and starting my CDF during COVID was hard. It took 9 months after my start date before I was able to enter the Department and figure out lab and office space. Acquiring the first few pieces of equipment through a range of small and larger grants and setting everything up in the lab from scratch was also tough, but very enjoyable and satisfying.
What advice would you give to early career researchers and students looking to develop their careers – what lessons have you learned? What would you recommend and what would you counsel them against?
Be yourself. Get as much senior advice and mentoring as you can, but choose the elements that work for you, your personality and situation. Everyone and every journey is unique – don’t try and fit yourself into someone else’s shoes.