Policy Officer Links Research and Policymaking

Name: Michaut Manon

PhD: Environmental Biology, Rouen Université, 2018

What was your main area of research?

I studied the survival of bacteria in groundwater depending on weather conditions. The goal was to anticipate periods when groundwater was loaded with bacteria, in order to treat the water with chlorine at the right time before it reached our taps.

My work alternated between collecting samples in the countryside, conducting lab analyses, and analyzing data behind my computer.

What is your current job?

I'm a Policy Officer in the crop protection and plant production sector at the French Ministry of Agriculture in Paris, France.

I currently work in a department dedicated to research and innovation. I focus in particular on research projects that aim to find alternatives to pesticide use in agriculture.

I review researchers' proposals to determine whether they should receive funding, and I evaluate their work. I also take part in working groups that define the key topics the Ministry needs researchers to address in order to drive tangible changes in the agricultural sector

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I find my role meaningful, as it allows me to serve as a link between scientific research and public policymaking.

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

Learning to quickly master a subject

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

My academic training has allowed me to develop these skills, including the ability to quickly grasp and master new topics.

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

I applied online.

Phd graduate ➡️ administrative project manager ➡️ research project manager ➡️ policy officer

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

It’s important to study public policies and understand how they impact the research topics that interest you.

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

The decision not to pursue an academic career was an easy one. I enjoyed working in the lab, but I didn’t want to spend my time constantly looking for funding to support research projects. Moreover, in France, there are very few positions available for researchers, making it a rather precarious career path.

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

1. It’s important to try to collaborate with companies or public institutions during your PhD.

   
   

2. Don’t hesitate to take training courses that help you prepare for entering the job market outside of academia.