Jorge Augusto Meira left his native Brazil to join SnT in 2016. The research associate works on data: big data, data engineering, data management, machine learning and so on. They say data is the new gold. Let’s see what Jorge thinks.
Why did you join SnT?
At first, I saw SnT as a great opportunity to open overseas doors to my research career, which so far had been centered around South America. But more important than why I joined is perhaps why I stayed. For me, SnT provides everything you need to grow as a researcher: a multi-cultural environment, multi-disciplinarity, industry partners, and strong research teams.
What’s this fascination with data?
That’s an easy one! In our modern days, the amount of data being produced on a daily basis – every single minute actually – is impressive! We now have powerful tools to work with this data, which has enabled us to answer questions that were intangible a decade ago. We are undoubtedly living in a Data Era, in which being fascinated by data is inevitable!
What is your most memorable moment at SnT?
My most memorable moment at SnT was my first Partnership Day. Even though the event requires a lot of work beforehand, we get to talk to the other researchers at SnT and meet all of our private and public
partners. It’s also kind of a celebration that brings you out of your office. We still get to talk about science, but in a different, more relaxed environment.
What’s special about working here? I think there are over 300 researchers at SnT these days, and these 300 researches come from about 50
different countries – which is amazing! Working here always includes a cultural exchange, which trains you to include different perspectives in your research.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
That’s a trick question – I haven’t figured out how to predict the future yet! But I see two options. First, I could stay in academia, which I’d like very much because I enjoy doing research. Secondly, I could see myself working in industry or possibly creating my own start-up.
Do you have advice for someone who wants to start a career here as a researcher?
If you want to build a career in research, the first thing you have to do is try to find a topic that you really like and figure out if you could spend day after day focused on this. Research is a full time thinking process so it must be something that you’re passionate about. Then, you have to be open and look for opportunities all around the globe. If you can, try to snag a research position at SnT, one of the best research centres in my opinion.
SnT is turning 10! We’ve come a long way since launching our activities in 2009. Stay tuned for a year full of celebrations, cutting-edge research, and new milestones.
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