Careers at Inria

Anaïs Cassino: "I feel useful"

Anaïs Cassino

Anaïs Cassino is a research team assistant at the Sophia Antipolis – Méditerranée research centre. Having received both theoretical and practical training, she is able to offer support to researchers, a vital job at Inria.

What is your role within Inria?

I am the administrative interface between two research teams and all of the Institute's departments. This means, among other things, preparing and controlling their budget, updating web pages, organising scientific events and helping to prepare for and organise travel, as well as welcoming new arrivals (permanent staff and foreign students), compiling their records and passing them on to HR. I am also the assistant to the Inria Sophia Antipolis scientific steering committee.

What is your background?

After working in a variety of jobs, I returned to education to prepare for the public service entrance competition. I was able to apply thanks to a PACTE (1) contract. I was selected after answering an Inria job ad. After a year's apprenticeship and classes at the AFPA, I obtained my professional qualification in administration and had an interview with Inria's selection panel.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of going into a similar job?

It's a lot like being a PA to the management - you need to be able to manage priorities and work in a team, be responsible and personable, and show initiative. Having no scientific training is not a handicap, as that aspect is not part of my work. Each day is different. Three years in, I'm still being asked to do new things, which means you can't settle into a routine. It's a very rewarding job: I'm given a lot of responsibility and the researchers trust me. When I come home from work in the evening, I am satisfied and I feel like I'm useful.

(1) Scheme giving access to public service careers without the usual competitive examination

Keywords: Support for research

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