In the weeks leading up to a conference, you are probably focused on preparing what you will present to the attendees, but don’t forget that attending a conference can be a great opportunity to develop your network and facilitate your next career move.
Some research in advance into the delegates attending, the organisations exhibiting and the location of the conference can pay dividends.
If you are trying to develop a career in academia
Are any of the delegates people you would like to employ you (as a postdoc or PI) or host you (as a fellow)? Reach out to them in advance and try to set up a meeting at the conference. If you are presenting a talk or poster, let them know. A quick chat can be easier and more fruitful than a carefully crafted email, particularly if you are looking to change subfields.
If you will be geographically close to any groups or departments you would like to join, try to arrange a visit before or after the conference. They might like you to give a talk about your work.
Trying to come up with independent research ideas? At our Fellowship event, Prof George Malliaras suggested attending talks outside your immediate field.
If you are trying to move into R&D in industry
Do any of the delegates work at companies of interest? Contact them in advance and try to arrange a meeting at the conference. You could ask a GradLink at the same company to forward an email, or you could reach out through LinkedIn – just make sure your own profile promotes you well.
If you are trying to move into a non-research role
Are any of the exhibitors doing roles that interest you? You are likely to find journal editors, people working for professional bodies such as the Royal Society of Chemistry, and application specialists for lab equipment and reagents. Don’t hesitate to ask the presenters about their own careers paths. You will often find former researchers at conferences who can share their own experiences and tips for moving into a non-research role.
Further tips? Last year Claudia Bonfio, a postdoc at the LMB, wrote a great post for The Biochemist Blog on ‘How to be better at networking at conferences’
Sally Todd, postdoc career adviser