Naomi Pollock
@naomilpollock.bsky.social
560 followers 460 following 59 posts
Membrane protein biochemist, apprentice biophysicist and SMALP enthusiast; Lecturer in Biosciences at Aston University, UK.
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naomilpollock.bsky.social
PhD project alert: the excellent MIBTP programme is open for applications. I am offering an exciting project on endogenous membrane protein complexes, jointly supervised with @alangoddard.bsky.social. Please spread the word!
warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fa...
Dr Naomi Pollock
Dr Naomi Pollock
warwick.ac.uk
naomilpollock.bsky.social
ECRs have full-time research posts (still fixed-term and shorter than they used to be IMO). I was scandalised when I learned how many excellent ECRs in arts and humanities lead whole modules on fixed term/zero hours contracts, and do research unpaid to try to stay in the game. It's exploitative.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
This captures the reason I went on strike in 2023. The lack of solidarity from bioscientists for the wider university community was shocking. I imagine it's because we remain *relatively* well funded.
hpsvanessa.bsky.social
struggling to budget both myself & a decent post-doc under the ukri grant caps (given the massive overheads unis charge) & wondering how others are managing. Then I see all the 0.4 fte for 15 months precarious post-docs being advertised & realise that’s the only way to do it. I hate it, thanks.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
P.S. Sorry that doesn't answer your question. As a recent post-doc I respect your efforts to create decent jobs.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
My impression is that nearly everyone feels one or two rejections away from being in a precarious position. That may not reflect reality, but it's how people feel, even senior profs. Who's left with the mental space to demand better funding, i.e better opportunities for ECRs?
Reposted by Naomi Pollock
labvanni.bsky.social
Thanks to @snsf.ch, we are hiring two PhD students to investigate frontier topics in lipid biology using a combination of MD simulations and experiments. Preferred starting date: ASAP. Fribourg - and Switzerland - are quite nice, for both work and private life! Please spread the word!
naomilpollock.bsky.social
I read that as a (whimsical?) misspelling of "cells". I wasn't much less confused when I realised it said "cellos".
naomilpollock.bsky.social
It's a devastatingly cruel disease, and this breakthrough must bring hope to many affected people and their families. It's also amazing to see successful gene therapies. Suggests a golden age ahead of treating heritable diseases.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
Led by Alice Rothnie (@astonaime.bsky.social), @stemuench.bsky.social, @byrnelabicl.bsky.social, plus Paula Booth at KCL/Crick, Tim Dafforn at UoB, and Andrew Quigley (@diamondlightsource.bsky.social), it's going to be a great 3 years of community building and problem solving. Join us!
naomilpollock.bsky.social
Job alert! We are advertising for a network manager for our new BBSRC network IMPALA. Want to organise meetings, promote discussion and help to spread the word about SMALPs to membrane protein researchers in academia and industry? Apply here: jobs.aston.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...
Job Vacancy at Aston University: IMPALA Network manager
We are looking for a network manager for a new research network called "Integral Membrane Proteins And Lipid Assemblies NETwork UK (IMPALPA-NET)." This project is funded by the BBSRC and aims to bring...
jobs.aston.ac.uk
naomilpollock.bsky.social
Another inspiring story to remind me that the painstaking, frustrating and often slow work of science is worthwhile.
andrewcopson.bsky.social
Huntington’s is one of the cruellest and most complicated diseases. But look what human ingenuity and hard work in the service of love can do! Truly inspiring and a rebuke to all those everywhere who are currently taking aim at science and medicine. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
naomilpollock.bsky.social
I gave up paying attention after the time I checked the value of my USS pension and it was going to be £16 per month. Granted I was still in my 20s, but it made the whole thing feel totally insane.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
I just love going there so much. The local scientists are brilliant and generous. The sense of community and shared endeavour is palpable (and probably measurable on one of the beamlines).
naomilpollock.bsky.social
On Friday, my 2 year old had her third trip (5th if you count in utero) to @diamondlightsource.bsky.social to drop off samples. Start 'em young...
Reposted by Naomi Pollock
camcdevitt.bsky.social
The costs of #antimicrobial resistance 🦠 continue to rise 📈. The Center for Global Development reports that by 2050 #AMR could shrink the global economy by US$1.7T.
Improving treatments and funding development of new antimicrobials 💊 could save millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs.
Forecasting the Fallout from AMR: Economic Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance in Humans
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis that threatens to undo decades of progress in medicine. This tool allows you to explore the potential impact of different interventions...
www.cgdev.org
Reposted by Naomi Pollock
sarahjpiper.bsky.social
Big news indeed 👏 make sure you check out the post&link below 🤩
#cryoEM #cryoET
#membraneproteins #GPCRs #scivis #scicomm
ccemmp-outreach.bsky.social
Big news! 📢CCeMMP is holding the 2nd 'Bench to Art' Exhibition to showcase the artistic flair of structural biology. Share your creations to be displayed in a virtual gallery during National Science Week & for a chance to win cash prizes 💰! More info: ccemmp.org/events/arc-c...

#CryoEM
#Membranes
naomilpollock.bsky.social
What does it mean when your workplace has transformed into a combination of a wedding venue and a wizarding school? Graduation season.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
J Kenji Lopez-Alt (The Food Lab) and Harold McGee (On Food and Cooking) are two I have that fit this description.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
To say nothing of the health, well-being and future productivity of the children involved.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
Haha. I'm a lot older than you in that case, and thankfully the YA landscape has changed again. Even so, always room for more! Good luck with the writing.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
Ps I still have a branded towel from a cheap french motel, which was their equivalent of hush money for not complaining about the mice in our rooms.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
So true! And combined with com-no-rom it sounds brilliant. I was pushed into reading way too many teen romance/teen pregnancy books which put me off YA fiction in my teens.
naomilpollock.bsky.social
This sounds superb. I lived through so much YO drama in my teens.