During her Bachelor’s in Pharmaceutical and Biological Laboratory Technology, Elisabeth discovered just how much she enjoyed the hands-on elements of research, and her decision to become a technician was a well-considered one. “Science has always been my thing, I really like it. And when I was at university, it was always the practical side of my courses that I enjoyed the most. It helped me create better connections with the theoretical part, too.” 

After finishing her studies, Elisabeth knew what she wanted. Or better yet, what she did not want. “I had some opportunities to work in industry doing quality control, which was great, but those jobs tend to lean more on routine tasks. I didn’t see myself doing that at that point in my career. I wanted to do something different every day.” Playing on her strengths, Elisabeth started looking for a job as a lab technician.

In 2021, she joined the Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis at CCB, led by Max Mazzone. During her two years in the lab, she learned the ins and outs of an excellent research laboratory, and got trained on new techniques and workflows. As her contract was coming to an end, she heard about a new group leader joining CCB. Quickly, Elisabeth took matters into her own hands. “Every new PI needs a lab technician, so I reached out to him and asked if we could meet and talk about a position. And we went from there.”

And well it went. Today, Elisabeth is the lab technician of the Laboratory for Immunology of Metastatic Ecosystems led by Jan Remsik. She has been there from the very beginning, building the lab from the ground up, and learning a lot along the way. “When Jan's lab started, not everything was straightforward, and we had a lot to figure out – what materials we needed, where to buy them from, how to carry out certain administrative processes, and overall how we wanted to organize the lab. The fact that I stayed within CCB helped a lot – I still had many connections and could ask for help.”

After almost two years in the Remsik lab, Elisabeth’s initial wish for variety in her job has certainly become a reality. “Every day in the lab is different, which is amazing. I really like that I don’t have a fixed pattern to my days.” And indeed, Elisabeth’s tasks range widely – her days move between experiments, administrative follow-ups, organizing materials, and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. “Some days, there is a lot to do in a short period of time. It can be a bit of a juggle, but the challenge makes it fun!”

Another big part of her job is supporting MSc and PhD students, and it is one of her favorite aspects of the job. “Helping our students gain new knowledge and become more independent is something I really enjoy as a lab technician, particularly when it comes to practical knowledge in the lab. I try my best to pass on what I know and what I think can help them, and it’s really rewarding when I see they can do it – it makes me quite happy!”

We’re also very happy to have you at CCB, Elisabeth! Thank you for your hard work and dedication, we truly appreciate it!