MATĚJ ŠIMEK Role: Senior researcher Area: analytical chemistry, biotechnology Employer: Contipro a.s. Mentees: students, employees Form: Online, Personal meet up  Mentoring language: czech, english  What can I help my mentee with? career guidance how to prepare for an interview choosing a job in another city    LinkedIn profil

Matěj chose to study Biotechnology at the University of Science and Technology. However, over time he discovered that he was most interested in numbers in chemistry and that he needed "hard data" to best understand the connections. Therefore, while still an undergraduate, he switched to the Production and Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and eventually landed on Analytical Chemistry, in which he says he finally found himself.

After completing his Master's degree, he suspected that the role of an analyst, who has a clearly defined task for which he seeks a solution in a relatively short time frame, would suit him best in his working life. However, he decided to take up a one-year trainee programme at Contipro, where he tried out a number of roles in research and development. The first project he was put in charge of was the development of vaginal suppositories, and through his work on this project he found that a more creative role, where he had to think strategically and plan the various stages of development well in advance, suited him. After completing the trainee programme, he focused on pharmacokinetics - testing drug forms and medical devices in in vitro and in vivo models. This work combines testing with advanced methods of analytical chemistry and mathematical modelling. For Matej, this is an ideal combination of more creative development and working with data.

After two years in the workforce, Matěj decided to start his PhD studies. He was attracted by the possibility of later using his degree in senior positions and the opportunity to do his PhD in a dynamic company environment. It also gave him an insight into the way of working in other workplaces - he completed his Ph.D. studies at Palacký University in Olomouc and went on an internship in Vienna. In addition to new knowledge and a degree, the three and a half year study brought him, thanks to good networking in the academic environment, further cooperation and new contacts.

Matěj now works at Contipro as a group leader in the pharmacokinetics group. "I practically don't wear a lab coat anymore. In addition to evaluating and planning pharmacokinetic experiments and developing new analytical methods, I am leading a long-term research direction to elucidate how orally administered hyaluronan can act in the body to save our joints. This is a multidisciplinary topic that is a challenge not only for analysts, but also biologists and other specialties." So Matthew's new job is learning how to assign tasks within the team appropriate to each person's interests and skills. He sees mentoring as an opportunity to network and collaborate with people who are genuinely interested in science and development.