Tamara El Hossny, PhD - Scientific Associate & Advisor

Tamara El Hossny, PhD - Scientific Associate & Advisor at University of Geneva

Where are you from, and what is your educational background?

I was born and raised in Lebanon. I hold a Master’s degree in Biodiversity: Conservation and Management of Natural Resources and a PhD in Earth Sciences.

What were your main research projects during your Master’s and PhD?

During my Master’s, I explored different research areas through several short-term internships, ranging from GIS-based mapping to plant DNA studies, before finding my passion in paleontology. For my Master’s thesis, I worked on anatomical and phylogenetic studies of a group of fossil fish from Lebanon. This project sparked my curiosity about the bigger picture, not only how these fishes were built, but also why they disappeared.

My PhD extended this work by focusing on different groups of fossil fishes. I investigated their anatomy and evolutionary relationships, as well as the environmental and ecological conditions they lived in. My research combined fieldwork, as well as different types of analyses to reconstruct their trophic roles and to better understand the potential causes of their extinction. This mix of anatomy, ecology, and paleoenvironments was incredibly rewarding and solidified my love for interdisciplinary research.

After your PhD, you worked as a temporary Program Officer at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a membership union of government and civil society organisations. Could you tell me more about your responsibilities in that role?

As I was completing my PhD, I knew I didn’t want to follow the traditional academic path of successive postdocs. When I came across the Program Officer role at IUCN, it felt like the perfect way to combine my scientific background with my interest in education and capacity-building.

At the IUCN Academy, I developed and coordinated hybrid and online training programs for a global audience, covering topics related to biodiversity conservation, policy, and sustainable development. I designed e-learning modules, coordinated live sessions, supported regional offices, and ensured that course content was engaging and accessible. This role allowed me to improve my technical skills in instructional design and online pedagogy, work in a highly multicultural environment, and even contribute in my native Arabic, in some cases, which was particularly meaningful to me.

Since 2021, you have been volunteering as a Communication Officer for the non-profit organisation SciencEscape in Geneva, a role you started during your PhD. What led you from analysing and interpreting fossil specimens for your PhD projects to becoming a Communication Officer at SciencEscape? Would you say your responsibilities at the Geneva Museum, or your role as a teaching assistant, influenced this choice?

Absolutely! My PhD experience was much more than research. I was a teaching assistant, which meant I was constantly engaging with students. I also took part in numerous science outreach activities, such as “R’amène ta science” at the university, “Nuit des musées” at the Natural History Museum of Geneva, and more, where I gave explanations to the public on geological and paleontological subjects.

These experiences made me realize how fulfilling it is to bring science to a broader audience. Paleontology can be quite technical, but watching children (and adults) light up when they see a fossil for the first time reminded me why we do science in the first place, to connect with society!

SciencEscape gave me a platform to take this passion further. What started as a small group of geologists has grown into an association of more than 20 members from different educational and professional backgrounds. I’ve had the chance to be in front of the camera (sharing my research), behind the camera (filming, interviewing, translating), and involved in content creation. I remain committed to SciencEscape because its mission, making science accessible and engaging, deeply resonates with my own values.

Today, you are working as a Scientific Associate and Advisor at the University of Geneva. What does your day-to-day work look like?

I work at the Graduate Campus of the University of Geneva, which supports PhD candidates and postdocs throughout their journey, from the beginning of their doctorate to the next steps after completion, whether inside or outside academia.

My role focuses on the transition to non-academic careers. I design resources to help in the post-PhD career transitions, organize events (like an upcoming speed-mentoring event on careers in international organizations), and develop an employability plan linking doctoral candidates and postdocs with external employers.

What I enjoy most is the variety of tasks: one day I’m writing or researching data for our publications, the next I’m planning logistics for an event, or having meaningful conversations with researchers about their next steps. No two days look the same and I love that.

You are currently in your second temporary position after your PhD. How do you navigate the uncertainties that come with this path? Do you see the lack of a stable position in today’s economy as a challenge, or rather as an opportunity to broaden your skills and expand your professional network?

The lack of long-term stability in science and culture is an unfortunate reality, but I try to see it as an opportunity. Each temporary position has been a learning experience. My role at IUCN allowed me to expand my skills in instructional design and gave me more international exposure. My current role, though back at the institution where I did my PhD, is very different: it allows me to support researchers and to discover new areas of interest, like career development and stakeholder engagement.

Temporary roles also push you to be proactive, to network, learn quickly, and make an impact from day one. This can be stressful at times, but compared to right after my PhD, I now feel much better equipped, both professionally and personally, to navigate what comes next.

Looking back, what aspects of your previous and current jobs do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the diversity of tasks, I never liked routines. I love combining creative work (writing, designing programs) with human interaction (mentoring, organizing events). I enjoy being part of a team with a shared mission, while also having autonomy to develop projects. Whether it was in the lab, in the field, or working on capacity-building and career development, what I value most is the variety of tasks and the opportunity to connect with people.

What advice has made the biggest difference in your professional development?

Patience and perseverance. Transitioning after a PhD can be challenging, and I learned to balance being proactive by seeking opportunities, reaching out to people (which I never felt comfortable at), with being patient about results. Perseverance is what allows you to grow from each short-term experience and move closer to where you want to be.

Finally, what can I wish you for the years to come?

You can wish me to make a concrete impact and contribute more to society, whether by helping researchers navigate their career paths, supporting science communication initiatives, or contributing to society in new ways I haven’t yet imagined.

Tamara’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-el-hossny-phd-92581716b/