Having been educated at a women's college, it's a bit strange that my greatest ambition as a postdoctoral fellow is to be a 'kept' woman. I openly admit that one of my priorities is to satisfy my 'benefactor' — that is, the foundation that funds my external postdoctoral fellowship.

In truth, I groomed myself for this role. I worked diligently to make myself attractive to potential sponsors. The likelihood of being overlooked or rejected was high, so I learned how best to sell myself. I cultivated the qualities that would help me stand out from other appealing candidates, and I consciously made the effort to attract the right external support. After all, promises of increased financial security, additional resources, subsidized travel and a personal allowance were powerful incentives.

Of course, such generous patronage comes with certain expectations and conditions. I'm obliged to report what I do, where I travel and what I spend. I'm encouraged to always be at my personal best and to prove myself to be a good choice, a safe bet and a valuable investment. In short, I'm required to perform. Nonetheless, I'm proud of negotiating the financial arrangements that provide for my needs. I have no regrets about my ambitious and deliberate pursuit of an individual postdoctoral fellowship to support my research goals.