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Category Archives: PhD
I am evangelical about this
PhD students should* consider industry roles; academics should not dissuade them. Ten years ago today I began what I now refer to as my industry detour, a decade spent as a statistical consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. I went directly: … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in alternative careers, career, careers, conferences, Life, PhD, science careers
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How far should students go in striving for professionalism?
What is the beginning of eternity and the end of time? Sometimes the simplest answer is actually the right one: in this case, the letter “e.” Having served as chair of my departmental graduate and admissions committee, professionalism is an … Continue reading
Posted in dissertation, education, jobs, PhD, professionalism, Research, science, seminars, students
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How to deal with delicate situations in the lab
Welcoming diversity in the workplace has become second nature in the US, and I would venture to guess that the biomedical workplace has been paving the way for years. The reliance on international scientific talent in the US has truly … Continue reading
Posted in culture, diversity, ethnic, graduate student, lab, laboratory, Music, nationality, personal hygiene, PhD, postdoc, postdoctoral fellow, Research, science, smoking, student, tolerance
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I sense a problem with undergraduate education
A lot has been said about job prospects of biomedical graduate students and the ever-declining percentage of Ph.D. graduates who are ultimately able to find academic faculty positions. Indeed, the importance of exposing graduate students to a variety of scientific … Continue reading
Posted in academia, biomedical researcher, career, critical thinking, education, grades, graduate education, graduate program, GRE, IDP, individual development plan, Occam's underwear, Ph.D., PhD, Research, researcher, science, science career, science careers, science jobs, student, students, undergraduate, undergraduate education, undergraduate students
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Thinking about the Pipeline
A PhD should comprise both education and training. It should not be slave labour or done in blindness about where it might be leading. But I fear these statements don’t always apply. In the research grouping in which I sit … Continue reading
Posted in Career advice, careers, PhD, Science Funding
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Notebooks
Back in 2009 the day, in a discussion on the recently archived Nature Network, I mentioned that I liked to draft blog posts the old-fashioned way. I wrote that “It is easier to get started with a pen and paper than a … Continue reading
Posted in PhD
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A Degree of Betrayal
What a week it’s been! My book launch for “A Degree of Betrayal” in now finally underway! I am delighted to report that “A Degree of Betrayal” is now officially on sale!
Posted in A Degree of Betrayal, book, Book launch, Books, career, female protagonist, feminism, graduate student, midlife crisis, PhD, Research, science, sexual harassment, student
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The supporting cast
A PhD is, by definition, a lonely endeavour. My fellow students and I were taught the fundamentals of team work as part of our transferable skills training, only for one academic to comment that for a career in academia, they would … Continue reading
Posted in 2013, Aren't friends ace, Fun, Happy life events, Life, PhD, PhD Comics, Support network
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The Circle Game
Over the last 6 weeks, 2 of my 6 graduate students have defended their dissertations and graduated–which brings me great joy in that they were each highly sought after and both will be heading to outstanding research labs of their … Continue reading
Posted in education, graduation, Guest posts, mentor, PhD, Research, science, student
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The Viva Experience
I’ve seen a few posts around recently from anxious PhD students approaching their vivas in fear and trepidation or discussing the experience in the immediate aftermath. For instance, here is @hapsci discussing things after the event in a state of … Continue reading
Posted in exam performance, PhD, PhD thesis, Research
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