ECDN Rep for the School of Engineering
What is your academic background and your current research field? 
I am a Research Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering. I did my MEng (2012) in Mechanical Engineering and PhD (2019) in Alternative Fuels and Aftertreatment Systems for Low Emissions Engines, both at the University of Birmingham. I am working on renewable energy, pollutant control technologies in energy, transportation, and manufacturing to meet the net-zero emissions agenda.
What is your role as a ECDN Rep and how can postdocs in your school contact you?
I am ECDN representative in the School of Engineering. I am collaborating with the postdoctoral community in Mechanical, Civil and Electronic Engineering. I have interacted with different communities at UoB since 2010 that allowed me to know all the needs of career development based on all research fellows' pathways in academia, industry or an entrepreneur. I can be contacted by email (o.doustdar@bham.ac.uk).
What do you feel are the benefits of the ECDN programme for postdocs and what do you feel have been the benefits to you from being a postdoc rep?
The ECDN offers a wide range of career development and training for all postdoctoral and early career researchers that help researchers to have a clear plan for their career, whether they intend to stay in academia or go to industry or work as self-employing. This role provides me with an excellent opportunity to improve my multidisciplinary through the university and broader community.