Testimonials
After I finished university, it was only logically for me to pursue a Ph.D., since I loved research. However, after obtaining my Ph.D, it was less clear to me what I wanted. Like so many others I had a decision to make whether I wanted to stay in science or whether I would prefer working for a private company. Although an academic career still appealed to me, I realised this might be a difficult path without guarantees. At the same time, I was afraid to make a more permanent transition to industry. I had no previous experience in working for a company and wondered if the research conducted there would appeal to me. It was then that a former colleague told me about the possibility of a postdoc position at KeyGene. This would allow me to gain insight into company research while retaining a certain degree of freedom and the possibility to publish. Then I would be better equipped to make a well-thought decision between academics and business, since I would have experienced both. Currently, I have been working for over a year at KeyGene, and I haven’t regretted it since. Some of KeyGene’s research seems even more academic than I have seen elsewhere. In addition, all researches are highly stimulated to pitch ideas of which some will be actually carried out. And although all hours must be accounted for, there are still opportunities to conduct those crazy friday afternoon experiments which I always thought typical for academics. Meanwhile, the close collaboration with breeding companies gives me insights in more applied research, something I was previously lacking. As a bonus, KeyGene also pays a lot of attention to personal development. All in all, I do not regret working in this stimulating environment.
Marieke van Hulten
What started yet as another Postdoc a few years ago turned out to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. When I started at KeyGene, I was far from thinking that I would end up as a scientist in the company. The KeyGene Post-doc program allowed me to enter the world of biotech and gave me access to knowledge and technologies that are scarcely available in the academic world. As a Postdoc I was given the opportunity to follow specific courses in the fields of IP, management and legal aspects which helped me develop the skills needed for the position I now occupy. As a scientist, I can now use this knowledge and contribute to the development of new ideas and technologies that will ensure the success of KeyGene.
The world of biotech is moving forward at a fast pace and KeyGene is not afraid to invest into people with potential, providing them with the environment, resources and knowledge they need to further exploit that potential. It is now my turn as a scientist to help new post-docs develop their own potential.
Franck Lhuissier
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Chantine Oskam-van Beek
Tiny Swemers
Personnel & Organization
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