MEET MARIA
I know what it feels like to stand at a career crossroads.
Hi, I am Maria – a scientist, mother, and career coach. My work is shaped by my own transitions across academia, programme management, coaching, countries, roles, and life stages.
I help mid-career life science professionals build careers that truly fit who they are today – through clear thinking, strategic positioning, and structured support.
Explore working with me
A career crossroads I know from the inside
I know what it feels like to be at a career crossroads.
Not because I have read about it – because I have lived through several versions of it.
At 17, I moved from studying Management in Tourism to studying Biology.
At 26, I left Russia to do my PhD in Switzerland. My scientific career took me across 6 countries, gave me a lot of joy, but also a lot of stress and frustration.
When the right path no longer fits
At one point, I had exactly what I had worked for: a strong academic CV, a Marie Curie fellowship, and a clear path towards group leader or assistant professor positions.
And I realised I did not want it.
Not because I could not do it, but because I did not want the life people normally have in these positions: running from one grant application to another, always stressed, with your career success depending on the success of your scientific hypothesis.
I lost the joy of research. Quietly, but persistently. The kind of feeling you can ignore for a while, but not forever.
It took time to admit that to myself.
Leaving academia was personal
Leaving that path was not just a career decision. It was personal: if I am not a scientist anymore, then who am I?
Leaving academia also felt like a failure. The academic system is very good at making you believe that only becoming a Professor is a success.
I looked for help – I worked with a psychologist. It helped me open my tunnel vision and see the options. I remembered what brings me joy, found what kind of work fits me, and decided what I am no longer willing to tolerate.
I was approaching 40: a PhD, a mature professional with a diverse skill set and international experience across 6 countries, a family woman, and a mum of 2. I wanted to build a career on my terms – one that feels meaningful and fits the lifestyle I want.
It was then that the idea of career coaching was born.
Building a career on my own terms
Since then, I have gone through several transitions - across countries, roles, and life stages. From research into programme management, and eventually into building my own coaching practice.
None of it was linear. None of it was obvious at the time. I had to build the coaching skills and learn about the coaching business while working as a strategic research programme manager. I learned a lot from both roles.
It taught me how career decisions actually work in real life – not in theory.
I managed to build what I once envisioned. I could help you do the same.
Key steps of my journey
PhD in Life Sciences ETH Zurich
Marie Curie
Fellow
Strategic Research Manager
Certified
Career Coach
Licenced NLP Practitioner
Lived and worked
in 6 countries
Fluent
in 3 languages
Friends around
the globe
Married
Mother
of two
Beyond work
I believe a meaningful career should support your life - not replace it.
As a mother of two and a leader myself, I am dedicated to building success that includes balance, presence, and sustainability.
Because a well-designed career is part of a well-designed life.
It is time to stop drifting on momentum and start designing what comes next - with intention.
Why l do Career Coaching
Career crossroads are one of the loneliest places to be. The pressure to have the right answer, the fear of choosing wrong, and the exhaustion of going in circles - I know that territory from the inside.
I do this work because I believe you should not have to navigate it alone, and because the right kind of support can make all the difference between years lost and a path that actually fits.
What I offer is space, structure, and support to help you:
- slow things down enough to think clearly
- understand what actually matters to you
- make decisions you can stand behind later
Because a career change is not just about the next role. It is about building something that fits you longer term.
HOW I WORK
The principles behind everything I do
These are not just words on a page. They shape every conversation, every session.
Honesty
Real clarity only comes from honest conversations. I encourage you to be honest with your self and deep in your reflections. And I provide honest feedback in return, when needed.
Quality
I value the quality I bringto my services and thequality you put into ourwork together. It givesresults – and we alsolearn to stop at "goodenough" when needed.
Dedication to your success
I work in coaching programmes because I want to see you succeed. It is a process and a true partnership – guided by bespoke frame works, with support all the way.
Client testimonials
Real stories from scientists and professionals who worked with Maria to find clarity, direction, confidence, and practical next steps.
I gained clarity on what truly matters to me professionally and defined a career path based on a clear, structured strategy grounded in my values, strengths, and vision. The programme also delivered concrete results: a polished CV, prepared interview responses, and networking confidence.
Dr. Gaby S. Langendijk
Program Developer Climate Resilient Cities
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Maria helped me design a career around my actual preferences rather than inherited expectations. Her coaching combined psychological insight with practical frameworks, creating both self-awareness and actionable strategies for more intentional career choices.
Alise Ponsero
Bioinformatician at the Quadram Institute of Biosciences
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By the end of the session, I felt a renewed sense of clarity and confidence in my career direction. Maria's support and action-based advice opened my eyes to opportunities I had not considered before.
Eva Cea Torrescassana, PhD
Molecular Biologist | Kromek Group plc
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The visualisations Maria helped me create are still crisp and serve as my pole star. Her coaching gave me confidence, a vector for development, and practical tools to stay on track.
Alexander Klimovich, PhD
Deputy Professor (W3) for Zoology
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After working with Maria, I was able to allocate time, formulate next steps, and make active decisions about my future career progression.
Mollie Langdon, PhD
Post-Doctoral Seed Developmental Biologist
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Maria helped me regain motivation and drive, clarify my goals, explore a diverse range of career opportunities, and expand my professional network.
Emiliya Taskova, PhD
Protein Scientist
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Maria is very professional and knows exactly how to navigate your questions.
Roumaissa Kahoul
PhD student
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Maria's sessions helped my children understand their strengths, values, motivations, possible career paths, university choices, and next practical steps.
Liliya Serazetdinova
Head of Business Development and Impact
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Read all LinkedIn recommendations
I built the career I once couldn't picture.
I can help you build yours – starting with a clear, structured first step.
A thoughtful starting point for scientists ready for change.