Doctor of a Pro Soccer Team Created His Own Path

Name: Leijs Maarten

PhD: Medicine / Molecular Medicine, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2021

What was your main area of research?

I searched for the solution to osteoarthritis - a degenerative joint disease of the cartilage tissue. My research was about developing stem cell therapy to cure osteoarthritis.

What is your current job?

I am an Orthopedic Surgeon and Traumatologist for Reinier de Graaf Hospital in Delft, Netherlands. I am also the Club Doctor for the Excelsior Rotterdam professional soccer team in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

I do surgery for orthopedic problems and trauma pathology. As club doctor, I take care of the health of the squad.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love the social aspect, being together with a team of colleagues taking care of patients.

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

Making a lot of worthy connections worldwide and maintaining good connections because collaboration will increase your input and output and the quality of each other's research!

Be a team player! This will always be helpful in your further career

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

You need to prioritize your wishes and needs to reach your goals! Try to go to courses and congresses that will benefit your growth. Try to push yourself to present when you can.

At a certain point, it will become your second nature when you do it enough.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

By applying for the job after fellowships.

PhD graduate ➡️ residency ➡️ fellowship clinically ➡️ clinique chef ➡️ consultant (orthopedic surgeon)

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

Create your own path of development and extracurricular expertise to make yourself interesting for the field you want to apply for.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

It was difficult for me, I would have liked it as well. But for now a position outside academia gives great opportunities and is way more efficient.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

1. Think about what makes you happy. When you hesitate, don't do it and start everything that gives you positive energy.

   
   

2. Find a mentor, you can always find one. A mentor will be someone who is an example for you or someone who is a person of trust. Someone who will guide you in the beginning of your career.