Welcome to Academic Pitstop!

Welcome to my brand-new website!

I am Merja, a scientist with over 20 years of experience in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. I have done research in many areas of life sciences and in many research groups. I have made many mistakes, experienced few successes and learned a lot on the exciting journey in the wonderful world of science.

My interest has always been how things work. When I was little and other girls played with dolls, I removed heads from my dolls and looked how they were built. During my whole work career, I have continued to investigate how things work. I have observed different work environments wherever I have worked and I was always curious of how different - and similar - these workplaces were. Little by little I learned what works, what does not and what contributes to good workplace, good work habits and good leadership.

I have had excellent supervisors and not so good ones. I have worked in places where I would have liked to stay forever and workplaces where I was just waiting to get out after an initial ‘honeymoon’ period. I have had absolutely amazing workmates who became also friends and the ones who I could not understand at all.

This blog is born from all the experiences I have had (and still have) during my career journey. I have not just been observing people and their habits, but I have also learned to work more efficiently, more wisely and using loads of tools and techniques that have helped me to adopt good working habits.

I just wish someone would have told me all this earlier.

For many years I have had a weird itch that I want to do something else with my life. Something that could make a difference. This website is my channel to do that. I want to talk about things that we all encounter at work and during our career and the luckiest of all have a great mentor to guide them through questions like ‘how to make a great Powerpoint presentation’ or ‘what to do when motivation is low and all feels tiring and irritating’.

I want to be like a virtual mentor, I want to give some insights to topics like how to stop procrastinating, how to deal with difficult interpersonal situations or how to tell a compelling story in scientific article, grant application or presentation. I also want to guide you to think about your career development, find your ikigai and finding a feeling that you are in the right place or heading towards it. Feel free to comment, ask questions or suggest topics. I am really happy that you are here and I wish your career journey will lead to a better future!