Nine reasons for NOT going abroad – and how to handle them!
There are many good reasons to go abroad. However, there are also a couple of unpleasant side effects of mobility that nobody dares to talk about.
Should I admit that I want to become a professor?
Many PhD students and most postdocs want to pursue a career in academia. However, is it a good idea to admit that you want to become a professor? Would you appear overambitious or pretentious? Or does it ruin your career to hide your ambitions from potential mentors and decision-makers? What should you do?
How to create a leadership action plan as a scientist
Scientists are often excellent in their fields of expertise, but they may lack the leadership skills necessary to lead teams and manage projects. A leadership action plan is an efficient method to develop the necessary skills to become a group leader and pursue a successful career in science.
Should I become a long-term postdoc?
Becoming a long-term postdoc – isn’t this attractive? When discussing career paths in life sciences with postdocs, we hear on a regular basis the wish to escape from the “rat race of the professors” by accepting a kind of long-term senior postdoc position in academia. The idea is to obtain a permanent position (and thus a safe job in economic turbulent times), which encompasses at the same time an intellectually stimulating and creative profession with some (but not too many) responsibilities. Is this what you want?
Which bibliometric data are relevant for a research career?
For any scientist pursuing a career in academia, bibliographic metrics such as impact factors or citations are essential for measuring the impact and relevance of their research. But which bibliographic metrics are relevant, and which are misleading?
Scientific independence – how to develop and demonstrate it?
In order to get grants or academic positions, it is often necessary to show scientific independence. But how do you do that? The following strategies will help young scientists to develop and demonstrate scientific independence.
For how long should I be a postdoc?
Young researchers often ask: what is the ideal length of a postdoc? There are many different answers which depend on the field, the country, the university, the supervisor and funding institutions. To get good advice on the best length you should strategically investigate your field. Get some ideas here.
28 Tips to Get More Citations for Your Publications
Everybody knows that high impact factors are essential for a career in science. However, young scientists often underestimate the value of citations. They provide a more valuable estimate of the quality of a scientific publication than other metrics, including impact factors. In this article, I provide 20 strategies to increase your citation counts.
Why Salary Matters in Science Careers
Scientists often shy away from discussing money and salary, considering it a taboo topic that distracts from pursuing knowledge and discovery. However, the reality is that salary plays a substantial role in job satisfaction and overall career success for scientists in academia and industry. What should you do?
Best books on metaphysics for scientists
Reading books on metaphysics is essential for scientists because it broadens your understanding of the conceptual foundations underlying your field. Metaphysical inquiry can lead to more profound scientific concepts and theories, challenge unreflected assumptions, and inspire innovative approaches to scientific problems. However, what are the best books on metaphysics for scientists?