I joined Innate Pharma in 2006 as an R&D technician, after starting my career at CIML. I was responsible for the management of the murine lines used for preclinical experiments in the search for new treatments.
When the company moved to Luminy, I had an active part in developing the procedures necessary to ensure adequate housing for mice, in compliance with regulations, and to maintain a high health status ensuring the quality of scientific results.
Once the animal house was fully operational, my activity gradually refocused on in vivo experimentation, while keeping one foot in the functioning and responsibility of the murine lines. While research programs expanded, I collaborated with the various in-house project managers to coordinate the planning of in vivo experiments and contribute to establish project budgets.
It was my line manager who offered me a career development to create and manage the Animal Facilities team.
I was enthusiastic because I had been wanting to take more responsibility for several years to support the company progress.
I am now in charge of managing the animal house, including the staff (2 zootechnicians) and budgets. I also manage relations with external service providers on this matter.
French regulations on animal experiments have been strengthened in recent years, and that is a good point. I started to monitor the regulatory situation and become a referent on this subject. Recently, I have been named delegate for animal experimentation projects and I assist the managers in preparing the dossiers submitted to the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
On the management side, I was supported by both an HR officer and my supervisor, who have always made time for me. My colleagues became my collaborators, it could have been tricky, but we exchanged freely on the different subjects and it went well. I benefited from the training program for managers set up in 2018, with an external organization. It helped me a lot, especially in learning to function with different personalities and sensitivities in mind. I look forward to the next sessions.
In the end, I am really satisfied with this development.
It was offered to me, and it was a real sign of trust from my manager. I felt valued in the work I had done so far; I was able to take the time to reflect and I was accompanied in this advancement that I experienced tranquilly.
Nicolas, Manager of the Animal Facilities team since 2018, following a career advancement, at Innate Pharma since 2006