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Charlotte Gudme Return Fellow at Novo Nordisk
NBEF Case story
I returned to Demark 18 months ago after more than 4 years in New York. My planned two years abroad became 4½ years as a post doc in New York. During my postdoctoral training I gained additional technical and professional experiences while working in an international environment. The years abroad were challenging but rewarding both scientifically as well as personally. Without a doubt moving to New York was one of the best decisions I have made and without this experience I would not have had the position that I have today.
I obtained my PhD in cellular physiology at the University of Copenhagen in 2002. Immediately after receiving my degree I began a post doc at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York in cell biology. I wished to expand my repertoire of techniques while experiencing life outside of Denmark. After 15 months, I got the opportunity to begin a new post doc in immunology at a Cancer Center expecting this might teach me the necessary skill to later obtain a job in the private sector.
For 3 years, I worked in the field of natural killer cell receptor biology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. It was therefore with great interest I read the press release from Novo Nordisk announcing a partnership with the French company InnatePharma to research and develop drugs targeting natural killer cells. I managed to get in touch with Nicolai Wagtmann who is VP for Inflammation Biology. Since I was going to Denmark for vacation, we set up a meeting at Novo while I was in Denmark. Nicolai suggested applying for a Return Fellowship within the TRAP program at Novo Nordisk. I had not heard about this program before but was very excited about this possibility. Nicolai helped me with the paperwork and I was fortunate enough to receive a Novo Nordisk Return Fellowship. Novo Nordisk has established these fellowships to attract Danish researchers working abroad back to Denmark.
The Return Fellowship has been a wonderful opportunity for me to return to Denmark after more than 4 years in New York. The relocation was organized by Novo and I am particularly grateful for all the help I received with respect to the practical aspects of moving back to Denmark. That was a tremendous help in a very stressful situation. I have been very well received in my department and at Novo from the day I arrived. I like the international aspect of working at Novo and the continued opportunities to travel while working. However despite all the help I received, moving back was somewhat of a culture shock to me. In the beginning I felt like a New Yorker living in Denmark and I missed my life in New York a lot. Slowly, I have established myself in Denmark again and am now enjoying my new life in Denmark.
I decided to move back to Denmark because I was at a cross-road in my life both privately and professionally. I wanted a job in industry and I felt a desire to transition out of being a post doc in the US. It was time for me to make a decision between finding a job in industry in the US or return to Denmark. Once I saw the announcement from Novo Nordisk I knew I had to respond to it although no new positions were involved. The years that I worked and lived in New York became a life changing experience for me, but although I loved my life in New York I missed the daily contact with my family. Life as a post doc in the US is tough with long hours, low pay, no job security, no pension and limited vacation. A post doc is a temporary training position and after more than 4 years I just had a natural wish to move on with my life and as it turned out my new life was in Denmark.