Category Archives: postdocs

Mentoring Matters, but for Whom?

Posted on 15 January 2017 by Athene Donald

In response to my recent post on New Year Frustrations, I received a tweet complaining that in this particular person’s university female postdocs contractually could not receive mentoring. That statement can be read in two ways: either that female postdocs … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, appraisal, early career researchers, postdocs, Research, Women in science | Comments Off on Mentoring Matters, but for Whom?

A breath of fresh (scientific) air

Posted on 30 June 2014 by Steve Caplan

As I sat yesterday in a student career development workshop, and listened to the fears and anxieties surrounding the prospects of a career in academia – or in any scientific field, for that matter – I felt a million miles … Continue reading →

Posted in Andover, basic science, career development, Gordon Research Conference, GRC, lab, New Hampshire, postdocs, Proctor, professors, Research, science, students | Comments Off on A breath of fresh (scientific) air

Climbing the Ladder

Posted on 12 December 2013 by Athene Donald

It has been a while since I wrote about the challenges facing those setting out on the academic ladder. Those who, having got past their PhD viva are now starting to progress through the ranks of an Early Career Researcher … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, CV, experience, postdocs, Science Culture | Comments Off on Climbing the Ladder

The Seven Ages of an Academic Scientist

Posted on 11 July 2013 by Athene Donald

I have been meaning to write about the seven ages of the academic scientist (to adapt Jacques speech from As You Like It) for a while, but I had a sneaking suspicion this might not be an entirely original idea. … Continue reading →

Posted in academic ladder, career progression, postdocs, Research, Science Culture | Comments Off on The Seven Ages of an Academic Scientist

Transferance in performance jitters

Posted on 9 November 2011 by Steve Caplan

Being in science since 1986–which would mean about a quarter of a century since I began to study in university–I have spent a lot of time learning to communicate, both in writing and orally. I’m not sure when I lost … Continue reading →

Posted in defecating bricks, education, nervousness, over-empathizing, postdocs, presentations, Research, science, students, sweaty palms, transferance | Comments Off on Transferance in performance jitters

David Willetts and the Round Table

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Athene Donald

Last week, fellow OT blogger Jenny Rohn and I were among the attendees at the roundtable discussion headed up by Paul Nurse (President of the Royal Society) and David Willetts (Minister of State for Universities and Science), held at the … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, industry, internships, postdocs, research careers, Science Culture, Science Funding, Teaching | Comments Off on David Willetts and the Round Table

Is this an Insoluble Problem?

Posted on 12 October 2011 by Athene Donald

Previous posts by fellow OT blogger Jenny Rohn (here and here) and me (here) about fellowship funding have sparked a lot of debate and interest. With the report that Science is Vital has just produced for David Willetts described in … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, David Willetts, fairness, fellowships, postdocs, Science Culture, Science Funding, Science Is Vital | Comments Off on Is this an Insoluble Problem?

Career Progression and the Research Landscape

Posted on 26 May 2011 by Athene Donald

Career progression for postdocs is a key issue that affects the health of our science base. It formed the basis for a discussion with Science Minister David Willetts at the Royal Institution this week, an event hosted by Evan Harris … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, David Willetts, postdocs, Research, Royal Institution, Science Funding, scienceisvital | Comments Off on Career Progression and the Research Landscape

Good Mentorship, Passover and “Let my people go!”

Posted on 29 April 2011 by Steve Caplan

Several days ago I had scheduled a lab lunch with my group, where I was supposed to treat everyone to Sushi in honor of a paper that one of my students recently had accepted. However, someone was sick, and we … Continue reading →

Posted in education, egregious, Let My People Go, matzah, mentor, mentorship, Passover, postdocs, Research, science, student, students | Comments Off on Good Mentorship, Passover and “Let my people go!”

Surviving the Postdoc Experience – or Not

Posted on 14 April 2011 by Athene Donald

Last night I talked at an RSC/IOP event launching a report (Mapping the Future: Physics and Chemistry Researchers’ Experiences and Career Intentions) based on a survey of 776 postdocs. The report illustrates some interesting differences between the cultures experienced in … Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Forum, long hours culture, postdocs, Research, RSC, Science Culture, Vitae, Women in science | Comments Off on Surviving the Postdoc Experience – or Not