Early-career researchers bring energy, talent and diverse voices to leadership and advisory roles.

Within the scope of the Career Tracker Cohorts study, postdocs were surveyed in order to learn more about potential changes in their work routines, effects on their research, and their own assessment of the impact the pandemic would have on their careers. 

The three of us took a break from our PhD programmes for a stint that enriched our CVs and improved our chances of career success.

Graduate student advocacy groups were central to designing the program, which provides a semester of funding if a trainee needs time to find a new mentor.

This newsletter takes a closer look at the effect of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among the participants of the CTC surveys in fall 2020.

The Dance Your Ph.D. contest has been challenging scientists to explain their research through dance for 14 years now. The competition got a new COVID-19 category this year.

The Early-Career Advisory Group is looking for five early-career researchers to join our advisory group and help us realise our mission to transform research communication.

HHMI announces the selection of 21 exceptional early career scientists as 2020 Hanna Gray Fellows to support diversity in biomedical research. The 2022 Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program competition will open later this year.

Junior researchers need to engage with policymakers, institutions, funders and media outlets to argue against planned budget cut-backs.

"Do you have any advice for future graduate students?" I asked. The student had recently defended his Ph.D., and I was conducting an exit interview-something I do with every graduating biomedical Ph.D. student at my university, where I am in charge of evaluating our medical school's Ph.D. training programs. He sat back in his chair and thought for a minute before responding: He wished he had started to plan for his post-Ph.D. career earlier. My shoulders dropped and I let out a sigh. "Program directors recommend this to incoming students every year, but some don't seem to hear it," I said. "How do you think we can get them to listen?" This time, he didn't hesitate. "They are graduate students in science ," he exclaimed. "Show them the data!" > "Even when you're just getting started, you need to look forward." That was my aha moment. I immediately began to document the responses to this question in subsequent interviews. It has been 3 years now, and the data I've collected confirm my suspicions-the same answers come up again and again. As a new cohort of Ph.D. students starts grad school this fall, here are the five pieces of advice graduates offer most frequently. Thirty-two percent of graduating students said this is the most critical decision a Ph.D. student can make. Many students gravitate toward mentors who work in areas they find interesting and exciting, but it is also important to think about what style of mentoring you respond to best. Finding a mentor with the right mentoring approach for you is at least as important as finding one who studies a specific topic. You need time to (a) decide which career paths you find appealing and (b) start preparing for those careers. Twenty percent of graduating students recommended exploring future careers as early as possible so you can use your time in grad school to build additional skills you will need. To learn about specific professions, you can conduct informational interviews, attend seminars where alumni discuss their careers, do an internship, or engage in a variety of other options. Graduate school is full of ups and downs. Thirteen percent of graduates said that if you feel the need to talk to someone on or off campus, don't hesitate. "If you are not happy, try to do something about it and make a change," one student said. If you feel isolated, another student recommended joining a campus group to connect with others. Twelve percent of graduates recommended that students consistently and critically evaluate their progress throughout their training. Make an outline of your research and career goals and when you want to achieve them, and hold yourself to that plan. Some students use an individual development plan to prompt discussions with their mentor and thesis committee. But don't wait for these meetings; setting goals and holding yourself accountable should be a continuous habit. This looks different for different people, but don't ignore it. You should expect to work hard in grad school, but the right work-life balance can have an important influence on your mental health and overall quality of life. Nine percent of graduates recommended finding something that helps you unwind, such as pursuing hobbies, getting together with friends, or volunteering in the community. Observant readers may notice that the numbers above only add up to 86%. Other pieces of advice included be assertive and ask for what you need, learn to trust your experimental results as long as the controls work, and plan your projects around what's needed for a publishable paper. But the most important thing is to take these pointers to heart early on. Even when you're just getting started, you need to look forward.

The pandemic has worsened the plight of postdoctoral researchers. Funders need to be offering more than moral support.

The SNSF has adopted the DORA recommendations in its career funding schemes and adapted some other criteria. This will make the selection process even fairer and more inclusive of re-searchers with diverse career paths.