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Artwork for PhD:The experience

PhD:The experience

Alexandra
Phd
Mental Health
Phd Experience
Phd Journey
Neuroscience
Work-Life Balance
Research
Career Coaching
Science Communication
Education
Biochemistry
Research Guidance
Covid-19
Networking
Academic Research
International Experience
Cultural Adjustment
Biotechnology
Germany
Entrepreneurship

In this podcast, my aim is to guide listeners through the multifaceted journey of pursuing a PhD. By sharing my own experiences and insights, interviewing fellow researchers and academics, and providing practical advice, I seek to offer a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and triumphs that come with doctoral studies. Through meaningful conversations and shared wisdom, this platform will ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes68Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for PhD:The experience

Latest Episodes

What does it really mean to leave academia? And how do you figure out what comes next?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Anne Schreiter, CEO of GSO (Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers), a Berlin-based non-profit helping researchers ... more

Ever wonder what's really going on in the head of the person deciding whether to hire you?

In this episode, I sit down with John Bowler, 'the Basel Job Coach', a former recruiter, ex-Novartis global staffing lead, and someone who has spent years on ... more

What happens when a scientist refuses to choose just one path?

In this episode, I sit down with Christos Efthymiou, biochemist, former PhD researcher at UCL, startup founder, and now scientific writer and strategist, for a conversation that's as wid... more

What does it actually take to go from pipettes to pitches?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alex Palumbo: neuroscientist, former Medical Science Liaison, and founder & CEO of MEDSCION, for an honest, energizing conversation about life after aca... more

Filippo Dall'Armellina, a biochemist and recent PhD graduate from the University of Liverpool, opens up about the highs and lows of doctoral research: from self-doubt to rediscovering his passion for science through podcasting. He reflects on how the... more

In the latest episode of PhD: The Experience, I sat down with Lorena Rodriguez Curiel, a recent master's graduate and incoming PhD student, for an honest and energising conversation about what it means to grow in academia.

We talked about:

→ Her jo... more

For this episode I sit down with Dr. Benita Olivier, a professor at Oxford Brookes University and a strong believer that we can work at the pace of our ambition without sacrificing our sanity. Through her work, she shares evidence-informed insights o... more

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Igori Balta about his academic journey and evolving research focus, from the early spark that drew him to biotechnology to his work in antibiotic development. We reflect on his educational background and first resear... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Anne Schreiter
CEO of GSO (Guidance, Skills & Opportunities) for researchers
Guidance, Skills & Opportunities (GSO)
Episode: S4-Episode 11: Leaving Academia Isn't Failure. It's a Choice. - with Dr. Anne Schreiter
John Bowler
Basel-based Basel Job Coach, helping PhDs transition to industry
Basel Job Coach
Episode: S4-Episode 10: What Hiring Managers Actually Think And What PhDs Get Wrong with John Bowler
Christos Efthymiou
Scientific writer and strategist
Episode: S4 - Episode 9: Writing Your Own Rules: From PhD Research to Scientific Writing & Strategy with Dr. Christos Efthymiou
Dr. Alex Palumbo
Founder and CEO of Medscion
Medscion
Episode: S4 - Episode 8: Bench to Boardroom: From PhD to MSL to CEO with Dr. Alex Palumbo
Filippo Dall'Armellina
Italian biochemist, PhD from University of Liverpool
Independent researcher with focus on protein interactions and neuromuscular disease models
Episode: S4 - Episode 7: Falling Back in Love with Science with Dr. Filippo Dall'Armellina
Benita Olivier
Professor of Rehabilitation at Oxford Brookes University and expert in postgraduate supervision
University of Oxford Brookes
Episode: S4 - Episode 5: Conversations with Dr. Benita Olivier
Igor Balta
Lecturer and researcher in biotechnology, focusing on foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
University of Life Sciences, Timisoara
Episode: S4 - Episode 4: Conversations with Dr. Igori Balta
Christian Frezza
Professor and Principal Investigator in Aging Metabolomics
Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research in Cologne
Episode: S4 - Episode 3: Conversations with Dr. Christian Frezza
Patrick Esser
Professor at Oxford Brookes University specializing in sport and rehabilitation technology.
Oxford Brookes University
Episode: S4 - Episode 2: Conversations with Dr. Patrick Esser

Host

Alexandra
Main host(s) with a focus on PhD journeys and academia.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Podcast review

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    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pearpodcast
    Germany2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate practical PhD-focused guidance that translates to real-world actions.
The format offers supportive, encouraging conversations that are easy to follow for prospective guests and listeners alike.
Guests share personal journeys and practical strategies for navigating academia.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S4-Episode 10: What Hiring Managers Actually Think And What PhDs Get Wrong with John Bowler
Q: How can PhDs use networking effectively without coming across as opportunistic?
Treat networking as an exchange of value: help others with insights, introductions, or resources, and build a track record that makes others want to engage with you. Begin with trusted contacts, then expand gradually through mutual connections, and maintain ongoing relationships rather than chasing one-off opportunities.
S4-Episode 10: What Hiring Managers Actually Think And What PhDs Get Wrong with John Bowler
Q: What balance should a PhD candidate strike between technical depth and transferable skills in interviews?
Highlight real-world applications and cross-functional collaboration, provide concrete examples of meeting tight timelines, managing competing priorities, and working with people outside your core field. Technical detail is important, but the ability to translate it into value for a business context is what hiring managers remember.
S4-Episode 10: What Hiring Managers Actually Think And What PhDs Get Wrong with John Bowler
Q: You've sat on the other side of the table where you make hiring decisions—what do academics fundamentally misunderstand about hiring in industry?
Hiring is about de-risking a choice and finding someone who can collaborate effectively in real-world settings, not just someone with deep technical credentials. Emphasizing stories of teamwork, adaptability, and delivering under constraints can differentiate a candidate when the technical fit is a given.
S4 - Episode 9: Writing Your Own Rules: From PhD Research to Scientific Writing & Strategy with Dr. Christos Efthymiou
Q: What is your view on AI in scientific writing, and how do you see human writers fitting in future workflows?
AI may speed up routine tasks, but human writers are essential for creativity, nuance, and audience-tailored storytelling; those who rely solely on AI may lose distinctiveness, whereas humans will remain valuable for strategic writing and complex communication.
S4 - Episode 9: Writing Your Own Rules: From PhD Research to Scientific Writing & Strategy with Dr. Christos Efthymiou
Q: What motivated you to pursue entrepreneurship alongside your PhD, and how did you connect science with business?
A long-running interest in the business side of science, plus entrepreneurship training during the PhD and LinkedIn networking, led to founding a drug-discovery platform and joining a startup accelerator.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About PhD:The experience

What is PhD:The experience about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on the PhD journey, balancing research with personal life, and practical strategies for navigating academia. Conversations consistently highlight planning, time management, mentorship, collaboration, and career transitions, with guests ranging from early PhD students to senior researchers and entrepreneurs. A standout pattern is the emphasis on resilience, community support, and real-world guidance for students contemplating academia or industry roles after a PhD. The show frequently features guests who share personal growth, supervision dynamics, and cross-disciplinary insights, making it a helpful resource for listeners seeking actionable tips and inspiration in doctoral life.

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How many episodes of PhD:The experience are there?

PhD:The experience launched 2 years ago and published 68 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on PhD:The experience?

Recent guests on PhD:The experience include:

1. Anne Schreiter
2. John Bowler
3. Christos Efthymiou
4. Dr. Alex Palumbo
5. Filippo Dall'Armellina
6. Benita Olivier
7. Igor Balta
8. Christian Frezza

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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