SciLifeLab Voices – Elísabet Einarsdóttir
Can you briefly describe what you do for the National Genomics Infrastructure (NGI)?
As a project coordinator, I am responsible for communicating with our users and maintaining an overview of the entire process. This includes everything from the researcher’s initial inquiries about our services and prices, meetings to discuss suitable methods and project design, to practical aspects like receiving their samples and answering questions.
My colleagues and I also report on lab progress and inform researchers when sequencing begins. In addition, we handle outreach for NGI, including participating in and organizing conferences, symposia, webinars, etc. We also maintain NGI’s website, teach, give guided lab tours, and manage administrative tasks such as preparing billing information and contracts. It’s a very varied job!
What do you think it takes to succeed as a project coordinator?
A project coordinator must be endlessly curious, have a little knowledge about many different things, and be passionate about getting things done. Since I have worked as a researcher myself, I can understand how our users think and prioritize and translate that into a feasible sequencing project. I also help researchers find information about other services within SciLifeLab, such as NBIS and the Data Centre.
What is the best part of working for NGI at SciLifeLab?
The best part of working for NGI at SciLifeLab is the feeling of truly making a difference for researchers and supporting their work. There is so much expertise, interesting ideas, and ongoing studies in the Swedish research community.
I feel very proud every time I see an article published using data we at NGI helped generate.
What’s your best tip for coping with a long and dark Swedish winter?
As an Icelander, I think I’ve inherited plenty of winter darkness-handling genes, so I’m not much affected by the lack of light in winter. However, a midday walk is unbeatable when it’s dark both when you go to work and come home – it’s a way to catch a little daylight. It’s also during the darkest period that I read the most books, and it’s very cozy to be inside, warm, with a thick book. A warm winter sauna can also solve most problems that might arise.