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4
minutes
On this page
- What is your background as a postdoc?
- Why did you join the Prosper cohort?
- How did you find the Prosper cohort?
- Which aspects of Prosper did you find most useful?
- What are your future career plans?
- If there’s one bit of advice you could give to a postdoc that was in the position you were in before you joined Prosper, what would it be?
- Would you recommend Prosper to other postdocs?
Dr Alzbeta Chabronova
Dr Rebecca Jensen is a postdoc specialising in molecular and cellular biology at the University of Liverpool. She was a member of the University's 2025 Prosper cohort.
We interviewed Rebecca about her career journey and experience with Prosper - read more below.
Role
Postdoctoral researcher within the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences at the University of Liverpool.
Case study conducted
September 2025
What is your background as a postdoc?
Molecular and cellular biology. I study how cells regulate protein synthesis in ageing and various diseases.
Why did you join the Prosper cohort?
I saw Prosper as an opportunity to be proactive and invest in myself and my career.
I tend to postpone tasks that don’t feel urgent, and professional development often falls into that category.
By joining Prosper, I created the space and structure to reflect, explore, and approach my future with curiosity and an open mind.
The supportive and inspiring environment made the process enjoyable rather than a chore.
How did you find the Prosper cohort?
The cohort was very diverse – new to more experienced postdocs, wet and dry lab-based ones, postdocs with different backgrounds and fields.
It was great, because you could connect with people facing similar challenges, but also learn from those further along in their careers or who had taken different paths.
Overall, it was inspiring, open, supportive, and genuinely helpful community.
Which aspects of Prosper did you find most useful?
The tools and resources related to identifying one’s strengths, skills, motivations, values, as well as various networking tips.
They gave me the chance to reflect on what matters most to me, recognise the skills I both excel at and enjoy, and explore the types of roles where I could apply them effectively.
What are your future career plans?
I’m not completely sure yet, and I still have over two years left on my contract at the University of Liverpool.
During this time, I plan to actively explore opportunities both within and beyond academia.
Prosper has given me valuable tools and, just as importantly, the motivation to do this.
I feel confident that I’ll be able to identify a career path that’s the right fit for me.
If there’s one bit of advice you could give to a postdoc that was in the position you were in before you joined Prosper, what would it be?
Take a moment to pause and reflect.
Check in with yourself—how you’re doing, how you’re feeling, which tasks energise you, and which ones drain you.
Don’t be afraid to consider changing the path or to explore an unconventional career direction.
Would you recommend Prosper to other researchers?
Absolutely. I don’t want to repeat myself but it’s always worthwhile to invest time and effort into your future.
As postdocs, we often get caught up in day-to-day tasks, postponing professional development until our contracts are ending – only to frantically apply for any available job, without reflecting on what would be a good fit (for us and the employer).
Or at least that was me in the past!
Prosper gave me both the tools and the dedicated time to reflect, explore options, and broaden my horizons.
I now feel better prepared to choose a career path where I can thrive, as well as to approach applications and interviews with confidence.
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