Early career researchers have an essential role to play in the move towards open research, says #SciData17 writing competition winner Sarah Lemprière.
Tag Archives: early career researchers
Abandon ship, or learn to swim: the gamble young scientists must make
For scientists, there’s nothing more frightening than a major grant rejection. With the scarcity of funding at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts, it’s time to talk about options, says Atma Ivancevic.
Job stability and a career in research are rarely put together. Science is a windy, grueling, uphill climb that might end abruptly at the edge of a cliff. Halloween is a particularly scary time for Australian scientists, as it signals the release of #NHMRC project grant results. Right now, many laboratories are facing difficult decisions due to rejected funding for next year. It’s not a surprise — we see it everywhere — yet it’s a shock that affects the entire scientific community. For early career researchers across the globe, it’s a timely reminder to carefully consider and plan for the future.
So, what are your options?
Lindau cubed: Nerd heaven redux and the importance of standing up for science
Alaina G Levine blogs from “Nerd Heaven,” aka The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.
The 67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting{credit} Julia Nimke/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Opening Ceremony{/credit}
What exactly is this Nerd Heaven, as I love to refer to it? It’s a conference where you’ll find only just a legion of Nobel Laureates (around 30) mingling with 400 or so young scientists from like 80 countries across the non-flat Earth. The official name for this geeky conference is the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting and it is an annual affair that takes place in Lindau, Germany. Each year it focuses on a different subject and this year its concentration is on chemistry. Continue reading
Science competitions earn you fame, glory and transferable skills
Competitions aimed at early career researchers fill the gap between a PhD and a ‘real world’ education, says Réka Nagy.
My PhD journey is coming to its end and I am considering a non-academic career. Looking at job descriptions, I know I tick the box marked ‘strong analytical and problem-solving skills.’ However, there are other boxes to consider: ‘Strong time and project management skills.’ ‘A team player with a proven track record of collaborations.’ ‘The ability to communicate clearly and concisely to a wide range of stakeholders.’
I worked in a ten-person research group but I did most of my work on my own – does that really make me a team player? And what does “a wide range of stakeholders” mean, anyway? I don’t have the time or money to pursue further training to gain these skills, and I feel like the four years I spent getting my PhD in Human Genetics were a waste.
{credit}David Luders/Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/42988571@N08/13158201924{/credit}