Nina's story: Emma as a postdoctoral researcher

‘You never know where an idea will come from, so it’s important to have access to brilliant people and places to connect.'

When neuroscientist Nina Sooter (2026) arrived in Cambridge to begin her postdoctoral research, she found herself navigating two new worlds at once: the research environment in the Faculty of Economics and the distinctive collegiate ecosystem that defines Cambridge life. Becoming a College Research Associate (CRA) at Emmanuel, she says, could not have come at a better moment. 

‘The opportunity to be affiliated with Emmanuel is ideal because I’m at a stage in my career where I’m developing my identity as a researcher and I’m working out the direction I want my research to take.’ 

The post offers her exposure to a broad, interdisciplinary community at a time when her own research sits at the crossroads of multiple fields. 

CRAs are early career researchers. As members of the college, CRAs strengthen the link between the college and the wider academic community. Through affiliation with the Emma, CRAs can participate in college life, attend events, and contribute to interdisciplinary engagement. 

The research focus

Nina’s research focuses on the anterior insula, a small region of the brain that has long puzzled neuroscientists. 

‘The anterior insula is a bit of an overachiever implicated in a broad spectrum of cognitive tasks. But it's unlikely that it's actually specialised in all these tasks so we're looking for the common denominator that explains this activation. The theory I'm working on is that it acts as a supervisor, monitoring other brain regions and evaluating how they're performing.’

Nina is working with the University of Geneva hospital on a unique data set involving patients who have electrodes implanted in their brains. The data provides precise recordings from a hyperlocal set of neurons.  

Before coming up to Cambridge, Nina knew she wanted to apply for a post that would allow her to be part of the collegiate environment. Emmanuel stood out. Initially, she admits she was drawn in by its beauty, but it was on the college values that she made her choice.  

‘What’s important to me is the college’s commitment to diversity. I’m so impressed by the work done by the Outreach team, who support potential applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. For me, that’s a really big selling point.’ 

A supportive community

‘For someone coming to Cambridge in a postdoctoral capacity and with no prior experience of college life, there’s a lot of history and tradition to take in. The friendly nature that pervades Emma provides balance.’ 

Alongside the departments and faculties, the college offers CRAs space to meet, collaborate, work and relax. Having access to the gardens and grounds has given Nina much-needed space to reflect on and develop her work. 

‘Just stepping into the gardens, I feel like my mind opens up and I can meditate on a problem that is not getting solved while sitting at my desk. For me, Emmanuel is a gorgeous little haven in the city centre. It’s a very peaceful place.’ 

As an interdisciplinary researcher she sometimes feels she is ‘still looking for my people’. The college helps fill that gap. 

Nina is candid about the uncertainties facing early‑career researchers. Short‑term contracts and shifting opportunities make it difficult to predict a long‑term path, and as an interdisciplinary researcher it can be harder to connect with close peers. The college helps fill that gap. 

‘Having that broader base of support will provide a safety net where I can spread in a myriad of directions depending on where life takes me.’ 

‘I am motivated by curiosity. I get a huge dopamine spike anytime I hear something that's interesting, even if it's completely different from my own area of research. Those kinds of environments are very stimulating to my research. You never know where an idea will come from, so it’s important to have access to brilliant people and places to connect.’