"The environment here is also competitive, but I feel more secure"

Why did you apply for a job at Health?

After completing my PhD and looking for a postdoc position in neuroscience, I was doing an internship in Latvia. There, I met a young woman who had worked at Aarhus University (AU) and recommended that I check it out. She had enjoyed the opportunities and the research environment in Aarhus, so I thought, ‘why not?’ and sent in an application – addressed to Professor Fulvio Mario Reggiori.

A couple of weeks later, Fulvio contacted me and invited me for an interview. Even though it was online, it was an amazing experience. The job interview was much more than just a meeting and a chat with the group leader. I also met the people who would become my new colleagues, spoke to many of them, and generally got a sense of the environment and culture. This definitely made the decision to accept the job an easy one.

How does Health differ from your previous workplace?

I did my PhD at a university in Spain – a much smaller university than AU. So, I was pleasantly surprised by all the seminars and workshops available here. I’ve attended several professional events, which is an enormously valuable way to expand one’s knowledge. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people, network, and learn from them.

Overall, I think there are really good opportunities to build relationships both within the department, at the faculty, and across the university. It’s easy to approach colleagues and other research groups for help and feedback. People are open and welcoming. When I first arrived, I had some issues with my research, and a colleague at the department quickly referred me to another colleague who could help me move forward. That was great!

At AU, or at least in my group, research is prioritised – even more than teaching. That wasn’t the case at my previous workplace. In Spain, there are fewer resources at universities, which means that there’s more competition for research funding. And you have to be extremely proactive in your teaching just to be able to prioritise your research at all. Fortunately, that’s not the case here. It’s the research I’m passionate about.

The research environment here is also competitive, but I feel more secure. I don’t have to worry as long as I do my work and do my best.

What is most important to you in your working life?

My colleagues and a good working environment. I feel very lucky because I joined an international research group that is very team-oriented and prioritises community. Our collaboration is very easy and natural.

It’s also important for me to have a good work-life balance, and Fulvio is very attentive and understanding in that regard. For example, when I was looking for an apartment, as my first accommodation was only temporary, he gave me a day off to go and view apartments. That meant a lot to me.

He also checks in on how we’re doing, encourages us to keep going, and motivates us when an experiment in the lab doesn’t go as planned. It’s great to have that support from someone who understands us and has more experience.

What do you wish you had known before starting your current position at Health?

When I was offered the postdoc position and accepted, I had two months to arrange everything and move here. During the job interview, where I met some of the other international staff, I received tips and tricks on how to handle all the practicalities. And the HR department was also a big help.

For me, the process felt a bit chaotic, but that’s probably just because I don’t like bureaucracy. In reality, it went quite smoothly, and people were very helpful. But, for instance, I didn’t know that I needed a Danish bank account. That was a bit stressful, because I needed to get my CPR number to open a bank account – and I needed a permanent address to get the CPR number. Which I didn’t have yet.

MitID was also new to me. It means that I need my phone for everything. At first, I was surprised by how dependent everyone was on their phones, but now I like it. It’s very practical. However, I’m more dependent on my phone than I was before.

Do you have any advice for (international) colleagues who have recently started at Health?

In Aarhus, I find that there is space for everyone. So, even though it might seem difficult at first to find your place, you should be patient and make an effort to go out and socialise with others.

For example, I quickly signed up for a capoeira class – an Afro-Brazilian martial art. I go three times a week, and although I sometimes feel lazy, and the weather is bad, I try to go every time. It makes me happy to meet up with the others – there are both Danes and other internationals like me. We meet for training but also go to cafés and have a glass of wine.

It’s harder to form relationships with Danes outside of work. They have their families at home. It’s easier with international colleagues – we’re all in the same boat. I came here with a partner, but we’re no longer together. So, the community among international staff is really important to me.

Contact

Postdoc Cristina de la Torre Martínez
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mail: cristina.delatorre@biomed.au.dk

Want more? Read the article “Put yourself out there – that’s my best advice”, in which PhD student Emaan Ghias from the Department of Forensic Medicine shares her fresh perspective on the faculty.