Attack planning your career path and finding the right lab in the same way as you would plan a research experiment.

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“If you chose the wrong lab, a lab that isn’t publishing heavily or is not pushing you, you’re not going to be able to get the papers you need to get into that lectureship or fellowship position that you’re looking for.” Although potentially painful to read, these words from Karen Hinxman, consultant at the Postdoc Development Centre at Imperial College, London, are about as honest as they come. There are a few things to consider carefully when planning your postdoc:

Plan ahead

As postdocs, it’s important to sit and think about your career before you embark on it, as you are really committing yourself to somethin for 3-5 years. Having a plan from Day One, and regularly assessing and comparing it to your progress will help keep things moving along smoothly. “It’s no longer enough to just rely on “doing good work” and hoping to land a position. Postdocs must strategically navigate their career,” says Jim Gould, Director at the Harvard Medical School Office for Postdoctoral Fellows.

“Most soon-to-be postdocs (and current ones) have trouble thinking about their careers beyond the next experiment,” says Gould. This is understandable, considering the workload that many have. But without proper planning and self-assessment, postdocs could end up picking the wrong lab for them, ultimately damaging their future careers. Attack planning your career path in the same way as you would plan a research experiment. Continue reading →