I had been interested in science publishing ever since I realised that lab work and I just didn’t quite click. So when I saw the opportunity to work at the RSC – safely behind a desk, but still making good use of everything I had been learning at university for the past four years – I just couldn’t resist.

Now fully trained in peer review and training in editing, I am involved in seeing manuscripts right through from submission to acceptance to final publication. Working on the Sustainability team is great as I get to see a wide variety of manuscripts on a daily basis, many of which are written by world-class scientists at the top of their research fields. I am also responsible for coordinating covers for Catalysis Science & Technology. This allows me to correspond with authors who produce some pretty cool graphics for the printed issues of the journal.

There are as many opportunities to get involved in extra activities outside of work as there are within the job itself. I sing with the RSC choir, and can’t wait for the Sport and Social Club’s next quiz. Even though I live outside of Cambridge, this hasn’t stopped me from joining in – everyone is so friendly and it would be no trouble to find somewhere to crash for the night if I needed to! Overall it’s been easy to settle in and after 6 months here, I feel really comfortable in my role.

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Heather is working as a Publishing Editor in the Sustainability team, in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Publishing Department. To see if there are any current vacancies in Publishing click here.