Author Archives: Jennifer Rohn

About Jennifer Rohn

Scientist, novelist, rock chick

In which things flow naturally forward

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

I’ve been pondering the impermanence of things lately. Maybe it all started with the departure of a well-liked clinical researcher from our lab, an OB/GYN with a sense of the absurd who never failed to make us laugh. Now when … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, Nostalgia, Staring into the abyss, The profession of science | 8 Comments

In which it all goes a bit Hitchcock

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

As I approach the door and reach for the knob, I find that my heart rate has accelerated. Behind me, one of our research nurses cowers a few paces back: she needs to get inside, but – quite understandably – … Continue reading →

Posted in Silliness, The profession of science | 12 Comments

In which I dream of going viral

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

In a post I wrote over on the Guardian yesterday, I made the comparison between early-career researchers and unknown musicians: But how does a younger scientist with a shorter track record, whose “excellence” might not yet be apparent, get his … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and safety gone mad, science funding, The profession of science | 14 Comments

In which I cling on

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

Recently I was kindly invited by the University of Southampton’s branch of the University and College Union to give a talk about the casualization of research jobs. ‘Casualization’ refers to the state whereby workers are employed in a disposable fashion … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, Staring into the abyss, The profession of science | 7 Comments

In which we endure

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

Baby, it’s cold outside. And inside too, as it happens. Over the past month or two, London has been in the grip of some of the coldest weather I ever remember having experienced here. For most London workers, the chill … Continue reading →

Posted in Health and safety gone mad, Students, The profession of science | 8 Comments

In which we make a mess of things

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

As a rule, when I’m trying to be creative, I have a hard time focusing if my workspace is not pristine and well-ordered. This holds true whether I’m working on a novel at my desk or performing an experiment on … Continue reading →

Posted in Nostalgia, Scientific method, Silliness | 6 Comments

In which science writer wanna-bes are given a chance at fame and glory

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

Are you a early-career cell biologist (PhD student or post-doc) in the UK with a flair for the pen? Do you like to communicate about your science using everyday words and sentences structures other than the passive voice? Or maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in science funding, The profession of science, Writing | Leave a comment

In which we feel the estrogen love

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

Yesterday was a mixed day for women in science. Bright and early in the morning, I sat plugged into Skype waiting for the BBC World Service to interview me about subconscious bias against female scientists. The news hook was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, The profession of science, Women in science | 1 Comment

In which I get my mojo back

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

So 2012 has drawn to a close, a new year is upon us and London’s seemingly endless broodiness gave way to brilliant sunshine today. Out in our local park this morning, strewn with spent fireworks and empty Champagne bottles, unusually … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Nostalgia, Writing | 5 Comments

In which a classic tale of DNA and discovery is recast

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

As for many people in the molecular biology profession, my first reading of The Double Helix by James Watson was a revelation. I can’t recall how old I was – probably in my late teens. I had already decided I … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Nostalgia, The profession of science, Women in science, Writing | 6 Comments