Caroline Mitchell

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Wellcome Sanger Institute

Can you give us an overview of what you have done since you completed your research degree?

Since completing my degree I worked for a short period as an Animal Technician at the University of Cambridge providing care for laboratory mice and assisting in studies looking at genotype in mice. In 2023 I joined the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the Long Read Sequencing team where I work to extract DNA for genome sequencing from a huge variety of taxa and perform HiC crosslinking. In 2025 I was promoted to Advanced Research Assistant. I have also taken a secondment position as a Science Engagement Officer, in which I was part of the Institute’s Public engagement and outreach team to facilitate school groups to visit the site and provide educational experiences about genomics.

How did you become interested in the area you work in?

During my bachelor’s degree I really enjoyed aspects of evolution which is so strongly linked to genomics and DNA. I explored this further in my Master’s to also gain the required lab skills to work in the field.

How did you find opportunities in the area you work in and how did the recruitment process work?

It was very hard to find work in this area as it is highly competitive and permanent job roles are uncommon at early career levels. My role as an Animal Technician was to gain experience in a research setting even though I was overqualified for the job.

What does your current role involve?

Wet lab work with microbiological techniques to extract and sequence DNA. Good lab practice to ensure sample integrity and same management. Sample quality control and understanding data to make decisions about how samples should proceed. SOP writing and document control.

What skills are involved in your work and how did your research degree help develop them?

Critical thinking to constantly try to trouble shoot and improve lab processes.
Lab skills to be able to carry out and understand the stages in many microbiological techniques.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The variety of species I get to work on; the range is huge. I have worked on fin whale, colossal squid, tropical butterflies, nematode worms, birds of prey, fungi, corals and symbionts and many many more!

Why are the challenges in your role?

The variety of samples is a blessing and a curse. Not all samples from different organisms behave the same and often there’s trial and error to find the best way to work with certain samples. It’s difficult that sometimes samples just won’t work.

What has surprised you about your role?

I didn’t realise how much I liked the challenge of trying to improve processes and make them efficient. It helped me draw on the creative parts of my brain but also bring in other things I’m passionate about like ensuring lab processes are environmentally conscious and use less plastic.

Did you engage in any additional activities or roles (i.e. organising conferences, entering PGR showcase, being a PGR Rep etc.) during your research degree, and how did these help prepare you for a career beyond academia?

I helped with projects with local schools about bringing the scientific method to the classroom. It was great to work on communicating with non scientific audiences but also to be contributing to the wider community and inspiring younger children explore science.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

Being able to interpret and present data has been very valuable. In general, knowing your way around Excel well will help massively.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Being able to interpret and present data has been very valuable, in general knowing your way around excel well will help massively.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m considering the option to enter a more academic role and would like to study for a PhD in the future. I also have a big passion for equity in science and communicating science to the public and schools. I’m trying to explore new ways to do this whilst continuing with my role in the lab.