From Delhi to Austria: A PhD Journey Fueled by Curiosity and a Twitter Job Post

-

From Delhi to Austria: A PhD Journey Fueled by Curiosity and a Twitter Job Post



Welcome back to the blog, everyone!


 Today, we're diving into the inspiring journey of Saruchi, a PhD student in her final year at the University of Salzburg. From humble beginnings in India to pursuing advanced research in Austria, her story is a blend of ambition, serendipity, and adaptability. And yes—you read that right—she found her PhD position on Twitter!

An Unexpected Path to Austria

When asked how she ended up in Austria, Saruchi smiled and said, “I actually found this position on Twitter, surprisingly.” Like many aspiring researchers, she had been applying to various PhD opportunities across Europe, the USA, and Australia through platforms like Nature.com, LinkedIn, and FindAPhD. But it was a chance discovery on social media that led her to her current lab.

“I wouldn’t say I chose Austria—Austria kind of chose me,” she explained. “The topic fit my interests perfectly, and my future supervisor was very welcoming in the interview. I knew I could see myself surviving well in that environment.”

From Microbiology to Host-Pathogen Interactions

Saruchi’s academic background made her a great fit for the position. She earned her bachelor’s in Microbiology and master’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Delhi, with her thesis focused on patient mutation analysis using molecular biology and Sanger sequencing.

Her current PhD research revolves around host-pathogen interactions, merging her knowledge of microbiology with cell biology. “We use microorganisms as tools to understand how they cause disease at the cellular level,” she said. The transition from sequencing to cell-level studies was natural and aligned well with her growing interest in molecular biology.

Why Go Abroad?

For Saruchi, the decision to pursue a PhD abroad wasn’t just about the academic advantages—it was about expanding her global network and experiencing cultural diversity. While India remained an option, the opportunity to engage with international science communities and live in a new environment was too valuable to pass up.

First Impressions of Austria

Landing in the Austrian countryside was a bit of a shift—especially climate-wise. “The cold weather was tough initially,” she admitted, “but the people in my lab were very welcoming from day one.” Having previously spent some time in Finland helped her adjust to European culture more smoothly.

She quickly settled into life in Austria and found it surprisingly easy to adapt. “Austria is one of the most livable countries,” she shared. “I feel very safe here, and I really enjoy the food, festivals, and lifestyle—even as a vegetarian!”

Embracing Cultural Differences

Naturally, there were cultural differences between India and Austria, but Suchi saw them as enriching rather than challenging. From Krampus Runs to Oktoberfest, she enjoyed immersing herself in the local traditions. “I’ve never had a negative experience,” she said. “People may be reserved at first, but once you build trust, they’re very friendly and helpful.”

She also found a small but vibrant Indian community in Salzburg. “We meet regularly and celebrate festivals together. It’s really nice to have that connection,” she said.

Language Barrier? Not a Deal-Breaker

For many foreigners, the German language can be intimidating. But Saruchi assures that it’s very possible to live in Austria speaking primarily English—especially in academic environments. Still, she recommends learning some German, if only to ease daily life. “I’ve completed the A2 level, and it really helps for practical things like shopping or getting your bike fixed,” she noted.

Final Thoughts

Saruchi’s journey is a testament to the unexpected paths life (and Twitter!) can offer. Her advice for aspiring PhD candidates?

“Don’t underestimate any platform. Apply everywhere. Be open-minded. And embrace the cultural differences—they can really enrich your experience.”

Whether you’re considering a PhD abroad or just curious about life as an international researcher, Suchi’s story shows how a blend of preparation, passion, and a bit of luck can open doors in surprising ways.

Stay tuned for more stories from real scientists around the world. And if you’re thinking about a PhD—maybe start checking Twitter too! 🧪🌍

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Western blot (SDS–PAGE → semi-dry transfer → immunodetection) — step-by-step protocol

-
Image
Western blot (SDS–PAGE → semi-dry transfer → immunodetection) — step-by-step protocol Overview:  Western blotting ( Immuno-Blotting ) is a technique which allows to detect specific proteins ( antigens ) via the interaction with a corresponding antibody . Therefore, proteins which were first separated by their molar mass on a polyacrylamide gel are transferred to a nitrocellulose or polyvinylidenfluorid   ( PVDF ) membrane by applying an electric field. The membrane is then exposed to a primary antibody solution where the antibody binds solely to the desired protein. Next, the membrane is incubated with a secondary antibody which subsequently binds to the first antibody. The secondary antibody carries an enzyme which catalysis a chemical reaction when exposed to a detection solution resulting in a fluorescent signal that can be measured. Western blotting allows to detect protein amounts below the nanogram level Material and Chemicals you will need:   Rotib...
Read more

G250 Staining and Equal Sample Loading of Protein Samples

-
Image
  Equal sample loading of protein samples Protocol    Take 20 µl protein sample and mix with 6.66 µl of 4x reducing buffer ( laemmli buffer )  Should be adjusted to your desired volume (general formular: V/3 if reducing buffer is 4x) Vortex the samples  Heat at 95° C for 5-10 min  Centrifuge samples  Load samples and marker on gel   Stack gel for 15 min at 90 Volts  Separate samples for 45 min - 1 hour at 130 - 150 Volts   Put gel into G250 Coomassie and incubate over night on a shaker  You can also heat the gel in a microwave until it cooks and stain for 1 hour (to stain fast)  Next day remove Coomassie and add destain solution   Destain several rounds until protein bands appear  Destaining can be improved by heating the gel in microwave  Analyse gel  Recipes:  G-250 Coomassie:   Chemical                     Fi...
Read more

Stripping of Westernblot membranes

-
Image
  Stripping of WB membranes protocol -          Prewarm stripping box for 10 min. in 55 °C water bath with 100 mL stripping buffer + 680  µ L  β -Mercaptoethanol (alternatively you can use 50 ml with 340 µl) -          Put membrane in stripping buffer box in water bath for 20 minutes, after incubation pour stripping buffer in  β -Mercaptoethanol waste -          Wash 1x with distilled water; add water and let it incubate without shaking to evaporate  β -Mercaptoethanol -          Transfer membranes into new box with TBST buffer -          Wash on shaker for 10 minutes 3x with TBST buffer  -          Prepare next antibody  -          Put in tubes with new antibody (no extra b...
Read more