ALP（北海道大学博士課程物質科学リーディングプログラム）経験をアピールし新分野の企業に応募
During my doctoral course, I specialized in the creation of hydrido-electron mixed conductors. It was a theme with little previous research in the world, but thanks to various support from Hokkaido University 's Ambitious Leader's Program Fostering Future Leaders to Open New Frontiers in Materials Science, we were able to collect the necessary experimental data, and finally Our paper was accepted in "Nature Energy".
When I appealed my ALP experience during my job hunting, every company listened with great interest. When I was approached by a company that handles steel and other materials, I was worried that my specialty would be chemistry, but I was worried that it would be okay. I decided to apply after listening to the enthusiastic explanation that there is.
グループワークやアウトリーチを先行体験
After joining the company, there was a manufacturing training for new employees, and 8 people in the same period with different assignments worked as a team to make a robot. In fact, I have experienced group work many times in the ALP curriculum, where researchers from different fields come together to achieve a goal. I believe that we were able to understand who can do what, divide roles and execute without hesitation.
In my case, it was the first time for me to make a robot, so I was completely out of my field of expertise in machining machines and parts.
Presentations that are easy to understand even for non-professionals are one of the important skills that ALP has honed. After that, when I thought about events for employees' families, the experience of holding a workshop for children to make artificial salmon roe at the outreach event "Science Agora" was very helpful. When I think about it like this, I feel that I am making the most of what I have learned at ALP.
社会人博士や学会参加も会社がサポート
One of the research themes I am currently working on is the development of metal wiring materials that do not disconnect even when folded, for use in foldable displays for tablets. My research procedures are the same as when I was a student, but I am at the stage where I am increasing my basic knowledge while learning about new fields such as materials science and computational science from people around me.
About 60% of the 20 researchers in my department have doctoral degrees, and moreover, most of my seniors are "doctors working in society," who were encouraged by the company to obtain their degrees after joining the company. In addition to this, the company actively encourages me to participate in academic conferences, and in my second year at the company, I myself gave oral presentations about the aforementioned foldable display about three times, including in the United States. It was an unexpected surprise because I thought that I would be far away from such academic activities after joining the company. I feel that I can extend my career as a researcher even if I go to a company.
専門研究に加えて「知」の引き出しを増やす
「社会に出てからも自分の専門分野をそのまま活かしたい」とは博士取得者なら誰もが思うことですが、視点を変えると新しい分野に挑むということは自分の引き出しが増えていくようなもの。知識が増えるたびにもとの専門分野にフィードバックできることも増えていくことを思えば、今は研究の裾野を広げていくのがとても楽しみです。
Now that we have entered a company, it is a common goal for researchers to produce results that are useful to society with new knowledge while being aware of specific deadlines. On the other hand, in the case of our company, the company is also providing an environment where we researchers can grow, like attending academic conferences, so I feel very encouraged.
I think the environment is different depending on the company. Feel free to ask questions about anything that makes you uneasy. We are here to help you find a match that you are happy with.
*Affiliations are as of February 2020.