My name is Hannah and last year I finished my PhD at the University of Manchester on the Wellcome Trust Immuno-Matrix in Complex Disease PhD programme. My PhD was in immunology and focused on understanding how chitinase-like proteins influenced structural changes happening in the lung during allergy. My PhD journey, like many others, was turbulent with lots of ups and downs to say the least. From overcoming my PhD supervisor having to move university and ultimately having to change lab groups, to the highs of presenting my research at an international conference in Copenhagen. Regardless of how my PhD journey went, I was uncertain on whether a future career in academia was for me. The intricacies of academic relationships, uncertainties with grant funding and crippling imposter syndrome were things that laid on my mind heavily.
As I was coming to the end of my PhD, I became aware of the new Wellcome Trust Transition Fund grant. The aim of this grant is to support PhD students as they enter the world of employment, which as you can imagine was an incredible relief especially when you’re slightly distracted submitting the thesis you’ve spent four years working towards… For me, this felt like the perfect chance to explore careers beyond the academic world I’d been part of for the past nine years and to see whether I was ready to take the leap away from lab work.
Exploring careers outside of traditional academia was something I’d always considered, especially working for a not-for-profit organisation or within the charity sector, but I had no idea where to begin. During my PhD I really enjoyed the volunteering, outreach and the science engagement opportunities that I’d sought out – so when the opportunity arose for me to undertake an internship in another sector, I snapped it up.
The British Society for Immunology (BSI) was a learned society I’d been involved with throughout my PhD: from attending my local seminar series and regional meetings, to applying for a BSI travel grant to present at conferences, and of course, the legendary BSI Congress. Alongside the benefits of membership, I was genuinely inspired by the breadth of work carried out by the organisation and the impact it has not only on the immunology community but on the wider research ecosystem. The opportunity to work across departments, contribute to real projects, and put my skills to use in new ways made the BSI an ideal place for my internship.
The BSI is a remote organisation but once a month, we all meet in person. Of course, I was thrown straight in the deep end on my first day with a speed-dating session with the board of trustees! Nonetheless, from my first day, I was warmly welcomed into the organisation and treated just like any other colleague. Gone were the hierarchies and intricacies often found in academia. Instead, I was encouraged to dive in, contribute, and make the most of every opportunity.
One of the standout aspects of my internship was how flexible it was, being able to work across multiple teams, including External Affairs and Journals. This variety was something I’d really hoped for as it gave me the chance to understand how a small but impactful organisation operates, and to get a feel for how different departments interact to support the BSI’s mission.
A few highlights of my time at the BSI include:
- Contributing to the BSI's policy and advocacy work through attending parliament for Parliamentary Links Day 2025, writing position statements for the European Federation of Immunological Societies Vaccine Taskforce and working with BSI-supported patient and public involvement groups PITCH, SIREN & STRAVINSKY. Learning how to tailor communication with different audiences, from researchers to healthcare workers to policymakers, and the role that strategic communication plays in influencing change.
- Supporting science communication initiatives including Vaccine Engagement Day (#CelebrateVaccines) and co-authoring the Vaccinations During Pregnancy Guide. Translating complex immunology topics into accessible formats for a broader audience was a great reminder of how powerful clear, engaging communication can be in bridging the gap between researchers and the wider public.
- In academia, so much of our time is spent focused on publishing our work, so it was incredibly valuable to gain first-hand experience from the inside of a journal team, supporting them from a researcher based perspective. This opportunity gave me unique insight into what journals look for during the initial stages of submission. Drawing on my researcher perspective, I supported the team by creating an administrative checklist designed to help identify low-quality manuscripts early on during the initial stages of submission, improving the efficiency of the review process.
Each of these experiences gave me new perspectives on how scientific research is supported, communicated, and used in the real world, which is something I’ve developed a real passion for. Most of all, this experience reminded me that PhD-trained researchers bring a unique and valuable skillset to the table, one that’s highly transferable outside the lab.
My internship at the BSI has been an incredibly valuable experience, both professionally and personally. It gave me the space to step outside of the academic bubble, explore new areas of work, and discover how my skills could be applied in ways I hadn’t previously considered and with confidence. What stood out most was how invigorating it felt to contribute to meaningful work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. It reaffirmed my interest in roles that support and advocate for the research community, but from a different angle.
If you’re unsure about your next step or have the chance to do an internship or PIP, I’d definitely recommend going for it. Whether you’re ready to leave the lab or just curious about what else is out there, internships are a great, low-pressure way to explore, learn, and grow.
And a huge thank you to everyone at the BSI for making my internship such a fantastic experience. The team was so welcoming and supportive, and they really helped prepare me with the skills and confidence I needed. That experience made a big difference and helped me land a job after my internship ended. I’m really grateful for all the encouragement and opportunities they gave me along the way.
Dr Hannah Tompkins