Eilish is Personal Assistant to the EMBO Director. “My job is to make sure the director is in the right place at the right time with the right documentation,” she says. She has been at EMBO long enough to work with four directors and as each new director takes up office, Eilish takes time to get to know their preferred way of working, to adapt to their style of management, to introduce them to EMBO as well as get them settled locally.
It has been wonderful seeing things develop and what EMBO is doing for scientists
As for a daily routine – there is none she says, “I just don’t know what is around the corner!” Her tasks include maintaining the director’s diary and monitoring her emails. “When the director is not on site, I am the first point of contact, so I weigh up whether something needs her immediate attention or whether it can wait.” Due to her central role in the organization, but also her vast experience and knowledge of EMBO, staff members often seek her out for advice and support. Whoever she is dealing with, however, from students to Nobel Prize winners, Eilish is clear that everyone deserves the same respect.
It’s all about the people. I think we are very good at choosing the right people
Eilish has a background in administration. She says although she is not a scientist, she has been attracted to medical and research organizations. One role included administrating the anaesthetist team and training programme in a large hospital. In her time at EMBO Eilish has seen many things change including the establishment and growth of the fellowship and funding programmes and the construction of much of today’s campus. “It has been wonderful seeing things develop and what EMBO is doing for scientists,” she says. After so many years she still loves working at EMBO. “It’s all about the people. I think we are very good at choosing the right people.” She says in her role she is motivated by the degree of autonomy she has and the space to be creative. “It’s a great place to work. The fact that I’ve been here for so long is testimony to that! Maybe they’ll throw me out at some point, but it’ll be a fight!”
