Some scientists say that lab work can be really boring (even if boredom is interesting), and, when facing deadlines and lots of work with not enough time, motivation can be in short supply for scientists — especially as we all retreat from once-fresh new year resolutions. Read more
In most western countries, the number of PhD graduates in the life sciences has increased by around 50% over the last ten years. As the job market, in both academia and industry, has been largely flat in most countries, this PhD glut is creating undesirable patterns of employment — and unemployment. Some academics are calling for ‘academic birth control’, but the academic system itself profits from the resulting endless supply of cheap labour. Read more
Translating the results of a research project into a 10-minute presentation or article can be a difficult task. It must be informative but also succinct and appealing. It has to tell an interesting story. It has to entertain. And you shouldn’t have too much text. Read more
So is the amount of science funding available dwindling? Or are we just imagining it? Our reads this week have been looking into how boom-bust cycles are taking shape, how funding proposals are being made and how all of this might just be a myth. Read more
