With a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Sheffield, one postdoc in Seville with a chemical fertilizer company and another with Roche Diagnostics in Penzberg... what next?
Seen from a distance, it looks like Isaac Ojea-Jimenez can't stay in one place. But he left Spain reluctantly, because many are the obstacles there to a career in research. On one hand, there is a lack of funding and positions, and on the other, highly qualified young researchers abound. So in 2006, Isaac left Seville and moved to Penzberg near Munich. Thanks to a grant awarded by the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst), he joined the "Substances and markers" department at Roche Diagnostics as a post-doctoral researcher for a year. Pleased with this new job? Sure he is. Isaac appreciate his work conditions. "My salary is considerably higher than what I had in Spain and the researchers, one PhD and a postdoc – me, are assisted by three technicians and a lab assistant." Above all, Isaac loves his research. What is he working on? At Roche Diagnostics, he's involved in organic synthesis projects that enable him to broaden his technical knowledge in mass spectroscopy and liquid chromatography. Does he think he'll settle down in Germany? Highly unlikely. Job opportunities are slim these days at Roche Diagnostics, the only possibilities being supervisory positions which require, in addition to experience, an outstanding scientific record and moreover, a perfect command of German. So, on to new horizons?