Career Development & Networking
Next Generation Sequencing: Academia vs Industry
A quick-fire interview with someone working in a private NGS hub on how they got there and what they do – for anyone considering a move from academia to the private sector.
Read More PhD vs Master’s: Which to Choose?
If choosing between a PhD or a Master’s has you frazzled, don’t panic. We weigh the pros and cons of both in terms of time, money, and career prospects.
Read More How to Get a Scientific Research Job in the US (If You Are Coming from Elsewhere)
Growing up in Australia, I remember a common phrase: ‘only in America’. Sometimes this was in reference to bizarre cultural events or phenomena but it was generally accepted that the USA was an extraordinary place, where everything was bigger, brighter, and more outrageous. America has fostered a culture of big ideas and innovation, partly because…
Read More Hot Tips for Creating a Scientific Special Interest Group at Your Institute
Universities are often organized by faculties, colleges, schools, and/or departments. So, as an academic, you often work closely with colleagues studying similar subject areas. A common interest, however, often transcends the boundaries of this organizational structure. Enter scientific special interest groups. What Are Scientific Special Interest Groups? Scientific special interest groups are member-led initiatives within…
Read More Phd Skills That Landed Me My Corporate Job!
Transitioning from a PhD in Biotechnology to the industry of my choice (scientific communication and marketing) involved an intense period of application and rejection. Every time I got a rejection letter, I feared that the industry probably did not want fresh graduates like me, that they wanted someone with years of experience. These were moments…
Read More Nine Tips for Clinicians Starting a Scientific Career
There are many examples of the impact of physician-scientists on translational research. Dr Barry Marshall swallowed a steaming culture of Helicobacter pylori which eventually resulted in antibiotics curing peptic ulcer disease. However, the process of training these individuals is as effortless as training fish to ride bicycles. Our journeys into the laboratory have been equally…
Read More Ways to Pursue Science Careers in Business After a PhD
Obtaining your doctorate is one of the toughest academic and professional tasks that you can take on. The stats on future employment in academic science careers are horrifying at worst or misleading at best. At the same time, many argue that we need more scientists with a PhD.1,2 With these statistics, it might be time to…
Read More How to Become a Bioinformatician
If you want to start a journey towards being a bioinformatician, you must first know the meaning of the term bioinformatics. You will also need to know what bioinformaticians do, and what you need to know to land your first entry level job as a bioinformatician. Most bioinformaticians work within different medical science and health…
Read More What to Do If You Want to Become a Freelance Writer
A lot of people today are drawn to freelancing and want to become a freelance writer. There are great benefits when you work from home (like doing work in your pajamas) or wherever you feel most comfortable. The appeal is even greater when you count in that you make your own hours and you are…
Read More 20 Telling Signs You’re a Scientist
According to Bill Nye, “Science rules!” – and I think most of us would agree. We are learning more and more about the world around us each day, as well as about ourselves. But is there a difference between a Science Fan, and a Scientist? Everyone has their own parameters, but below are some that…
Read More Defend Science Funding! A Brief Guide
With the scientific community potentially facing deep cuts to grant-awarding agencies, like the NIH, advocacy for funding research efforts has been re-ignited. Not only does science funding provide financial support for academic and government scientists, it fuels product development and collaboration opportunities for scientists in industry and scientists abroad. Engaging in the advocacy process and…
Read More How to Write a Killer Research Interest Statement
Before you know it, the day will come when your contract ends, or you just feel like applying for a new and exciting position. You may feel a bit lost in preparing all the documents you need for that new job post. Do not worry, there is advice out there. One thing you will need…
Read MoreNetworking – You Know It’s a Thing
A supportive network is important for your mental health and happiness. This is particularly true during stressful times, like grad school and career transitions. Networking – meeting people in the science community is important for professional development and meeting people outside of science is good for balance. At every transition after grad school, you start…
Read MoreA Quick Guide to Organizing Your First Academic Event
Scientific meetings provide an opportunity to learn, network, and explore new ideas. They are also an exciting break from the usual lab routine. Although organizing a Departmental or Institutional academic event takes up your research time, the experience helps develop leadership, project and budget management, and problem solving skills that will make your CV shine.…
Read MoreThe Seven Top Benefits of Starting Grad School Early
Your grad school acceptance letter finally came in the mail. Congrats, that’s no small thing to accomplish! You did your happy dance, but then it hit you: Grad school in the fall is a reality and things in your life are going to change. So now you’re wondering how to fill those awkward months between…
Read MoreHow to Pick a Great Postdoc Position
Are you finishing up your PhD and starting to think about the next step? It can be overwhelming to consider all of the personal and professional aspects involved in deciding and beginning this next stage of your career journey. With personal perspective from someone who has been there, here are some tips on how you…
Read More Why You Should Apply to Science Jobs Early and Often
There are many reasons to apply for jobs. You might be in the latter stages of grad school, busy getting those last experiments done so you can focus on writing your thesis. You might already have a job, but want to move to a different location or step into a new field. Or maybe you’re…
Read More 5 Things to Remember as a Research Intern
Make Friends as a Research Intern I used to be a supporter of the ‘lone wolf’ stance. Who needs friends or enemies? I’m completely capable of doing things on my own. Wrong and wrong again. This is especially true if you’re the new research intern who is breaching the social circle of an already well…
Read MoreHow to be a Scientific Social Media King/Queen!
You have a nicely baked research project, all set and ready to tempt the world. Then comes an afterthought. It needs some spice, decoration, and even more. As a young or mature scientist your work is often confined to a niche area, riddled with scientific jargon, and confined to intellectual circles. In the 21st century…
Read More6 Career Building Steps to Take While in Graduate School
You chose a great lab in a great graduate program, you work around the clock to get data, you know the literature like the back of your hand, and you have regular meetings with your boss to assess your progress. You are doing everything you can to start your career on the right foot, right?…
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