Tran Bich Phuong – From Unpaid Intern to Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oxford

Pivoting to public health, driven by her deep passion for community service, the Vietnamese woman Tran Bich Phuong achieved success when she became a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the prestigious University of Oxford (UK).  

Changing direction as passion leads the way  

For many, changing fields is seen as a risky choice, fraught with potential failure and wasted time if academic knowledge is not directly applied. However, for today’s younger generation, pursuing one’s passion—even if it means shifting fields—represents an opportunity to demonstrate adaptability, talent, and courage, often leading to significant personal achievements and career success. 

Tran Bich Phuong, an alumna of the International Business Management (IBM) programme at the British University Vietnam (BUV), is a prime example. At the age of 31, Phuong realised her dream by becoming a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Health Economics at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford. Her impressive portfolio includes 23 research studies published in leading scientific journals. 

The University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, has been home to numerous distinguished figures. It was the academic residence of the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, known for his pioneering work in theoretical physics; the economist Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism; and the celebrated writer J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the legendary “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” 

Phuong has achieved her dream of becoming a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Health Economics at the University of Oxford. 

Although she started as an economics student with opportunities at major institutions such as the US Embassy in Hanoi and KPMG, Phuong’s passion led her to pivot towards public health. 

Explaining the motivation behind this decision, she shared: “Health Economics studies the allocation and investment of resources to improve health outcomes, and it is still relatively new in Vietnam. This field is highly quantitative, involving the development of models to assess costs, benefits, efficiency, and equity in healthcare. While this is not my initial strength, it is precisely why I wanted to conquer it.” 

Despite starting as an economics student, Phuong transitioned to public health driven by her passion. 

From being an unpaid intern at a non-governmental organisation to becoming a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Phuong takes pride in having conquered the challenge she set for herself. 

Sweet triumph after hardships 

To pursue her dream of studying for a master’s degree abroad, despite her undergraduate degree being only loosely related to public health, Phuong spent around two years working at the Centre for Health Sciences Research, Hanoi University of Public Health, to gain relevant experience. During this time, she faced numerous rejections for scholarships, but her determined spirit eventually led to success with a full scholarship at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, one of the top 10 medical schools in the world. 

After completing her master’s degree, faced with an expiring visa and the end of her scholarship, Phuong accepted an unpaid internship at the university research department and worked part-time in a restaurant to make ends meet. There were times when she felt disheartened, contemplating returning to Vietnam due to difficulties in finding a job and experiencing pressure from colleagues at the restaurant. Some even told her, “What’s the point of high-level education if you’re just going to work in a restaurant?” 

Phuong has received numerous enticing offers in the field of academia and research. 

However, Phuong was undeterred by difficulties or negative comments. After 1.5 years as a research assistant in the department, supported by her research foundation from Vietnam with six published scientific papers, she received two compelling offers: one to manage a research project at an institute in Paris and another to pursue a PhD at the University of Antwerp (Belgium). 

Driven by her academic passion, Phuong chose Belgium to focus on her research topic of interest: chronic non-communicable diseases, treatment costs, and proactive care models for individuals with multiple chronic conditions. During her four years of PhD studies, she continuously sought to expand her knowledge and experience, planning her next steps from the start of her fourth year. To diversify her expertise, transitioning from non-communicable to infectious diseases, she applied for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at the University of Oxford, working on a vaccine project for the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. 

Phuong is always learning, accumulating experience, and mapping out her next steps. 

“I feel fortunate to have been selected to work with some of the leading health economics professors in the UK. Perhaps what I enjoy most is the opportunity to travel extensively, experience diverse cultures, and learn from healthcare systems around the world,” Phuong shared. 

Phuong also contributes to meaningful projects with non-governmental organisations and health ministries in various countries. 

Beyond her research and professional work, Phuong also makes significant contributions to impactful projects at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/part of the World Health Organization) in France, advises health ministries in Belgium and the UK, and engages in rural health projects in Vietnam and Zambia. 

Phuong’s story is a source of inspiration for the younger generation, demonstrating that with passion in the right place, and a resilient spirit undaunted by challenges, any path can lead to success, no matter how arduous or winding the journey may be.