Written by Dr Holly Vickery 
 
Author profile: Holly is an Animal Behaviour and Welfare scientist with a particular interest in how findings can be practically utilised by stakeholders.  She graduated from the University of Bristol in 2018 with a first-class BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and then completed her PhD at the University of Reading titled “The behaviour and welfare of goat kids during the milk feeding stage and weaning transition”. Holly is now a lecturer at Harper Adams University and holds positions as deputy chair of the Early Careers Committee of BSAS, and 'Impact and Outreach officer' for the Early Careers group of the Animal Welfare Research Network.

When I reflect on my journey so far in animal science, it’s clear that my biggest challenges have also become some of my most valuable wins. Here I share a bit about my experiences as an early career scientist and how I’ve transitioned from PhD student to lecturer. 
Both student and staff: Balancing research and teaching

I started my PhD in a slightly unconventional way. Instead of applying for a funded research project, I applied for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. This meant I would teach part-time—25% of my time—and spend the remaining 75% conducting PhD research on a subject of my choice. I loved the idea of combining teaching and research, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do both.

But about nine months into my PhD, my supervisor, who was the only academic in our department specialising in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, left for a position in Canada. I ended up leading her entire final year module and co-creating another. It was a whirlwind: learning university systems, supporting students, and figuring out how to survive in academia - all at once. It was a baptism by fire, no doubt, but one that gave me an incredible head start. That teaching experience later helped me land my first academic job, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Having an eye on what you want to do in the future and gaining experience that will align to it is really valuable, I thought I would want to stay in academia so the lecturing experience was really valuable but I also knew I could sell the experience in other ways relevant to industry to.
A full-circle moment came recently when I ran an event and a former student I’d taught during my PhD attended. She now works in animal welfare and it was such a rewarding reminder of the impact we can have. 

First Lectureship, First Projects – and a Lot of Learning Curves
After finishing my PhD, I started a one-year maternity cover role in 2023. It was teaching-only, and while I knew I wanted to return to research eventually, I needed the experience (and a job!). Then in June 2024, I was lucky enough to secure a permanent lectureship, this was a huge opportunity for me but I can’t begin to express how much privilege I know I have now, as someone who’s managed to find a permanent position quickly post PhD and the stability that brings.

Knowing that I wanted to get back into research and to hit the ground running when I could I’d tried to make sure I was preparing during my maternity cover position. I’d kept a folder of project ideas and potential collaborators, mapping out future funding calls and even drafting background sections in case opportunities arose. This meant that as soon as I saw a small grant I would have some of the preparation ready. So I started applying, and then... the rejections came. So many rejections. But with each, I learned a little more about grant writing and the internal processes required to submit a bid. Slowly, things started to shift.

My first successful grants was a three-month Innovate UK scoping project, identifying priority areas and aligned innovations for sustainable goat production in Africa. It was my first post-PhD, externally funded project—and I was the lead! It was stressful, juggling partners in Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, and the UK, all over the Christmas period, but I learned an enormous amount in a short time, and ultimately I managed to do it! You can read the project report here: New Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnership Scoping Project reports - Innovate UK Business Connect.
I’ve also recently kicked off a six-month BBSRC/AWRN-funded project looking at wearable sensor technology for goats. Goat tech still a very novel area, and I’m thrilled to have managed to persuade people to fund goat research after spending a lot of my PhD being told they’d never be a priority. My strategy of aiming for smaller grants first has really paid off (although now I’m at the scary point of needing to write some big applications)!

What I wish someone had told me: Tips for Early Career Scientists
1. Send the email.
Whether it’s reaching out to a potential collaborator or asking for advice, don’t let fear stop you. I’ve agonised over wording, timing, and whether I was being too forward—but honestly, the worst thing that’s ever happened is being ignored. And on the flip side, I’ve had some fantastic responses, collaborations, and helpful contacts come out of a simple email. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people, lots of them genuinely do want to help!

2. Get your name out there.
Write blogs (like this one!), post on social media, and volunteer at conferences. These are great ways to connect with others and build visibility.  Helping out at conferences has been valuable to me as its given me a reason to introduce myself to people I would have been too nervous to approach otherwise.  Let people know what you’re interested in and figure out who you may be able to collaborate with longer term – interacting with these people even in the smallest of ways can help you in the future. Don’t underestimate the power of visibility in a crowded field - the more people who know your name, the more likely that someone will think of you when an opportunity comes up.

3. But also… learn to say no.
I’ll admit it, this is still a learning curve for me and I regularly find myself cursing past Holly for saying yes to too many things! I’m still working out the balance between grabbing every possible opportunity there is whilst valuing my time and my life outside of work. I’ve experienced periods of burnout (just ask my mum about the time during my PhD when I physically couldn’t speak for three days) and therefore know that this is an incredibly important skill to learn. It’s hard when you’re eager to take every opportunity, but learning to value your time and protect your energy is essential. Ask yourself: does this align with my long-term goals? If not, it’s okay to politely decline.

4. Don’t undersell yourself.
Keep a running list of everything you do—guest lectures, panels, training courses, even the little things like supporting other students. When it’s time to write a job application or update your CV, you’ll thank yourself. I hated writing job applications and this is common, its triggering for imposter syndrome and makes you feel immodest to talk about yourself in a positive way. My strategy is to pretend I’m writing about my best friend and not myself, I care about them, I know how great they are and I want them to do well, therefore I’m going to big them up as much as I can!

5. Ask for feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable.
I won’t sugar-coat it: receiving feedback, especially on rejections, can be tough. Peer reviews fill me with dread and I always have to read them, likely cry for a bit and think I shouldn’t be in my job, then come back to them a week later able to actually tackle them! But it’s been crucial for my growth. Whether it’s from peers, reviewers, or collaborators, feedback helps you see what you can’t on your own. Ask for it often, and use it.

Final Thoughts
The early career stage feels like a wild combination of imposter syndrome, rejection, burnout, and a constant background pressure to prove yourself. But it’s also full of opportunity, growth, and those joyful moments where things start to come together. My path has been messy, unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding—and if you’re in the thick of it now, hang in there.

You’re learning. You’re doing more than you think. And someday, you'll be the one offering advice (even whilst feeling woefully underqualified to do so!) 

 Feel free to get in touch via email hvickery@harper-adams.ac.uk or connecting on LinkedIn Holly Vickery | LinkedIn