Staying Sane in the Lab: Tips for Mental Health Strategies for Researchers
Blog, CareersIt’s 10:30 p.m. and your laptop is still open. The submission deadline is tomorrow, your latest experiment failed, and your email inbox is a small avalanche. You silently wonder how long you can keep this up — and how everyone else seems to handle it better than you. Even though it can often feel…
Inspiring Undergraduates to Get Into Plant Science
Blog, CareersPlant science is closely tied to our food, our environment, and even the fight against climate change. Yet, it is often overlooked by undergraduates who might be searching for a “meaningful career path” such as in medicine, computer science or engineering. Many students enter the university without…
Adjusting to PhD Life
Blog, CareersJoining a PhD program is often seen as the next logical step after a master’s degree. However, the fundamental differences between the two are not widely understood, making the transition into PhD life unexpectedly challenging for many. To navigate this transition smoothly, it's essential to first…
How to Manage Your Time Effectively as a Researcher
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The Challenge of Doing It All
The role of a researcher encompasses a wide range of demanding and often competing responsibilities, including experimental design, data analysis, manuscript writing, grant preparation, teaching, administrative duties, and collaboration. This multifaceted workload…
How to Prepare for Postdoc Applications and Interviews
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Being a postdoc is an exciting career step, where you get to act as a researcher, but also sometimes a teacher, mentor, lab manager, project coordinator, shoulder-to-cry-on, and about every other role under the sun! But how do you prepare for this kind of role? And then, how do you show someone hiring…
How to Develop Networking Skills and Be the Most Charming Person in the Room
Blog, Careers“Networking” still sounds like something that requires a name tag and a slightly forced smile. But it doesn’t have to be.
Let’s be honest: the word “networking” tends to evoke a very specific image, stiff receptions, questionable cheese cubes, and someone asking you, “So, what’s your…
From Academia to Industry: Expert Advice from Industry Veterans Who Made The Leap
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It is the age-old question for an early-career scientist: should I pursue a path in academia or industry? Following years of study through graduate school, new scientists may feel the pull to embrace research freedom and flexibility traditionally offered by an academic track, alongside the opportunity…
Being a Parent and Future Parent in Academia
Blog, CareersThis community blog harbors personal viewpoints on how to navigate parenthood and academia from two perspectives, one a current academic parent and another future academic parent.
As a female academic parent, Dr. Indrani Kakati’s tryst with parenting has been full of roller-coaster experiences.…
Resiliency in Long Research Projects
Blog, CareersThe advancement of scientific knowledge often relies on long-term research efforts, which enable researchers to study multiple factors and thoroughly test their hypothesis. In plant biology, long research projects serve as a cornerstone, providing crucial insights into complex processes and environmental…