Honest career advice for scientists!

Should I become a long-term postdoc?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Find your dream job, Passion and pain, postdoc, Professor, Research Career

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 scientific career - title

Which bibliometric data are relevant for a research career?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Grants, PhD, postdoc, Professor, Publications, Social media

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?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Leadership skills, PhD, postdoc, Publications, Publish or perish, Scientific independence

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?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia, Passion and pain, postdoc, Work/life balance

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.

Should I Quit My Postdoc? Or Should I Finish It?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Passion and pain, postdoc, Research Career, Scientific independence, Work/life balance

If you have doubts about whether to stay or leave your postdoc position, quitting your postdoc can be daunting. But it can also be a great opportunity to move forward in your career.

28 Tips to Get More Citations for Your Publications

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Publications, Publish or perish, Scientific independence, Social media, Visibility

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

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia, Find your dream job, Passion and pain, PhD, postdoc, Professor, Research Career

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?

What is tenure?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix PhD, postdoc, Professor, Research Career, Scientific independence

Academic tenure is fundamental to higher education, offering professors permanent employment and job security to protect academic freedom. This status allows professors to explore, teach, and publish without fear of repercussions and promotes an environment for innovative and potentially controversial research. Achieving tenure involves a rigorous review of teaching, research, and service contributions.

Best books on metaphysics for scientists

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Books, PhD, postdoc, Professor

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?

What is a Reader at a University?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Find your dream job, Professor, Research Career

The job title “Reader” can confuse jobseekers in academia due to its differential use across countries. In the UK, Australia, and some Commonwealth nations, it denotes a senior academic position between Senior Lecturer and Professor. In the Commonwealth system, it is often used synonymously with the title Associate Professor. This is confusing because the terms Reader/Associate Professor would correspond to different ranks in the US.

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