How the Career Path to Principal Investigator is Narrowing
Lab leader roles are proving more elusive as trainees seek opportunities elsewhere, two studies find.
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WEF Young Scientists Call to Address Missing Link Between Policy and Science
WEF Young Scientists Call to Address Missing Link Between Policy and Science
Scientists from the World Economic Forum's Young Scientists community want to see the social value of scientific research better recognised and acknowledged. Published today by Frontiers Policy Labs, a call has been signed by 52 scholars from some of the world's foremost academic institutions. The signatories say that for science to become rooted in decision-making, a new culture of engagement between policymakers and scientists needs to be established.
Spain Sets out to Overhaul Research Careers
Spain has set out to improve the lives of its researchers after years of hand to mouth existence and a brain drain that has significantly weakened the public research sector. A reform of a 2011 law will see young researchers getting permanent contracts, recognition of experience gained abroad and new labour rights. At the same time, there will be increased public spending on research.
We're Killing Ourselves with Work
Evolution favors less work and more leisure.
Others Helped Me Become a Scientist. Now, I'm Paying It Forward
Others Helped Me Become a Scientist. Now, I'm Paying It Forward
Outreach activities helped this postdoc grow and find satisfaction in her work as a scientist
Barriers to Full Participation in the Open Science Life Cycle among Early Career Researchers
Barriers to Full Participation in the Open Science Life Cycle among Early Career Researchers
Early career researchers (ECRs) will play a key role in transitioning the scientific community to more widespread use of Open Science from pre-registration to publication, but they also face unique challenges in adopting these practices.
Owning, Not Doing: My Transition from Master's to PhD Student
Yuning Wang learned to rely less on her supervisor's guidance during her doctoral programme, an important step on the road to research autonomy.
Back in Person, Back to the Races
Young scientists provide advice to a researcher, who feels left behind after a difficult pandemic experience.
Mentorship and Creativity: Effects of Mentor Creativity and Mentoring Style
Mentorship and Creativity: Effects of Mentor Creativity and Mentoring Style
This paper examines mentorship as a mechanism for individuals to acquire and develop creativity. More specifically, we study the effect of mentor crea…
What a Professor Considers when Reading Recommendation Letters
What a Professor Considers when Reading Recommendation Letters
The role they play in evaluations for graduate school admissions, fellowships and jobs can be baffling.
The Pandemic May Disrupt Europe's Supply of Scientific Talent
The Pandemic May Disrupt Europe's Supply of Scientific Talent
The former president of the European Research Council (ERC) is sounding an alarm that the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt Europe's supply of scientific talent.
Revising Department Handbooks to Better Support Grad Students (opinion)
Revising Department Handbooks to Better Support Grad Students (opinion)
After analyzing numerous department handbooks, Catalysts for Science Policy members offer five recommendations for improving them in ways that build a healthier, more productive environment.
Truths About an Academic Career People Often Don't Share
These are some of the negative realities of academic life that people often avoid discussing, as well as some advice for dealing with them along the way.
Stagnating Salaries Present Hurdles to Career Satisfaction
Stagnating Salaries Present Hurdles to Career Satisfaction
Fewer than half of respondents to Nature's 2021 salary and satisfaction survey feel positive about their prospects.
My International-student Group Helped Me Through a Hurricane
When Hurricane Elsa hit her home nation, Sheri McDowell turned to her newly formed support committee.
Sleeplessness and Anxiety: PhD Supervisors on Toll of COVID Pandemic
Sleeplessness and Anxiety: PhD Supervisors on Toll of COVID Pandemic
Survey of 3,500 supervisors lifts the lid on the demands of overseeing junior researchers - and the impacts of the pandemic.
"My Students Never Knew": the Lecturer Who Lived in a Tent
"My Students Never Knew": the Lecturer Who Lived in a Tent
Higher education is one of the most casualised sectors of the UK economy, and for many it means a struggle to get by.
Cambridge Colleges Accused of Exploiting "Gig Economy" Tutors
Nearly half of undergraduate tutorials are delivered by staff who lack proper contracts, research shows.
PhD Supervision 'undervalued' by UK Universities
UK Research Supervision Survey raises concerns about increased demands during pandemic.
A Model for Diversifying Faculty Recruitment
When two junior researchers joined a search committee, they came up with a way to put equity and inclusion centre stage.
Beware Survivorship Bias in Advice on Science Careers
For objective careers advice, talk to those who left science as well as those who stayed.
The British Academy Chooses Midlands As First Hub for Early Career Researcher Network
The British Academy Chooses Midlands As First Hub for Early Career Researcher Network
The British Academy today announced the University of Birmingham as the first regional hub of its Early Career Researcher Network.
How I Tackled Post-PhD Imposter Syndrome
Kelsey Inouye's job search gave her panic attacks and dented her self-esteem. But she learnt to take rejection in her stride.
More Women Than Ever Are Starting Careers in Science
But a study of the publications of millions of researchers also suggests that women are less likely to continue their academic careers than their male counterparts.
Petition Der Uni-Assistenten - Mittleres Uni-Lehrpersonal Fühlt Sich Ausgenutzt Und Abgewertet
Petition Der Uni-Assistenten - Mittleres Uni-Lehrpersonal Fühlt Sich Ausgenutzt Und Abgewertet
Unsichere Jobs, unbezahlte Überzeit: Die Assistentinnen und Assistenten der Schweizer Unis fordern klare Perspektiven.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation Among Ph.D. Students
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation Among Ph.D. Students
Programs that systematically monitor and promote the mental health of Ph.D. students are urgently needed.
SSP's Early Career Development Podcast: Open Access
Meredith Adinolfi (Cell Press) and Ann Michael (DeltaThink) discuss some of the more complex aspects of the OA landscape, such as funder mandates, Plan S, and transformative agreements.
Not What You Know, but Whom You Know? Study of ERC Stirs Old Scientific Controversy
Not What You Know, but Whom You Know? Study of ERC Stirs Old Scientific Controversy
A new study of grants awarded to early-career researchers by Europe's premier science agency is reviving an old controversy over the way governments decide which scientists get research money, and which do not.
Mental Health of Graduate Students Sorely Overlooked
Too few resources exist to help early-career scientists deal with the stresses encountered in today's 'publish or perish' culture.
Welcome to Germany-The Country Where Most Academic Careers Expire Soon After They Start - ECHER
Welcome to Germany-The Country Where Most Academic Careers Expire Soon After They Start - ECHER
Germany's academic system is admired all over the world. It is almost entirely publicly funded, while studying at most of its higher education institutions is free of charge. However, the working conditions enjoyed by a vast majority of German academic staff do not seem to live up to the stellar reputation German science has internationally.
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