Research Adjacent meets Papa PhD (Episode 68)
Research Adjacent · Sarah McLusky
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Show Notes
This is a special double episode. First up Sarah meets David Mendes, aka Papa PhD, medical writer/translator and host of the Beyond the Thesis podcast. Then the tables are turned and David interviews Sarah for the Beyond the Thesis podcast.
Sarah and David talk about
- How networking led to both the career and podcast he has now
- The origin story of the Papa PhD podcast
- Why creating the podcast has helped him feel more confident
- The emotional and practical challenges of the post-PhD journey
Then David and Sarah have a conversation about
- How Sarah transitioned from research to research-adjacent post-PhD
- Advocating for research-adjacent professionals
- Research-adjacent jobs and where to find them
- Why PhD graduates who want to become research-adjacent need to reframe both their skills and their expectations
Find out more
- Read the transcript on the podcast website
- Connect to David on LinkedIn
- Visit the Papa PhD podcast website
- Follow the Papa PhD podcast on Instagram or X
- Connect to Sarah on LinkedIn
About Research Adjacent
- Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz
- Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter
- Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky
- Email a comment, question or suggestion
- Leave Sarah a voice message
Mentioned in this episode:
Research Adjacent Directory Member of the Month: Clare Jonas, That Thinking Feeling
What do you get if you cross an academic psychologist with a research communicator? Some amazing skills training workshops! Clare offers workshops which support researchers to develop knowledge and practical skills in three overlapping areas: research communication, taking care of ourselves and each other, and career skills for academia and beyond. They’re based on Clare's professional expertise, lived experience, evidence from psychology and related fields... and love of dad jokes! Find out more at https://www.thatthinkingfeeling.co.uk/
Leeds Research Adjacent Community Networking
Come along to meet other research-adjacent folks in person at Brooklyn Bar in Leeds on Thursday 30 April 2026 from 5.30pm. Open to anyone who feels part of this world. Facilitated by podcast host Sarah McLusky. Find out more and sign up here https://researchadjacent.circle.so/c/open-events/leeds-research-adjacent-community-networking-4058c1