Undertaking a PhD in an International Lab
EditorHow many times through your PhD have you asked yourself: “Why am I doing this? Is this what I wanted? Is it all worth it?” Sonia Sanz Muñoz blogs for Hello Bio.
How to write effectively for international journals
Blog from Nature Careers – Using modern tools to manage research literature, analyse published articles and find language teachers to improve manuscripts for publication.
How to read and understand a scientific paper: a guide for non-scientists
Jennifer Raff has prepared a helpful guide for non-scientists on how to read a scientific paper, for the LSE Impact Blog. Steps and tips useful to anyone interested in the presentation of scientific findings.
Erasmus+ funding available for EU internships
Thinking of undertaking an internship in the EU this summer? The Erasmus+ Traineeship Grant to help you with the costs associated with interning outside of the UK. Tanja Hann shares her experience of the programme.
Scientific progress is built on failure
Learning to handle failure is just part of scientific life, writes Eileen Parkes for the Nature Careers Blog
Outputs from the UK DRI Meet The Funders Workshop
Representatives from the MRC, Wellcome, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society describing support schemes suitable for early career researchers
Apply Now – Interdisciplinary Online Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia
Apply now for this online 12 months Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia is to facilitate students to develop a comprehensive academic and evidence-based approach to their practice, to critically explore and critique dementia care service provision.
Diversity & Inclusion Schemes
In this helpful post by Tom Davies shared from the King’s Careers Blog they share a round-up of some of the main providers of diversity and inclusion schemes in the UK.
Cleaning up, ready for the next phase
Is your desk a hot mess right now? Dr Linda Devereux can relate. In this post she shares the touching story of cleaning her office after the PhD was finished and the unexpected difficulty of the clearing out process.
Tips for negotiating the peer-reviewed journal publication process as an early-career researcher
Advice on navigating the journal submission and publication process as ECRs
Help and resources for student health and wellbeing
In next weeks podcast our panel will be discussing ‘Student Health and Wellbeing’. All employers and academic institutions have an obligation to provide appropriate support, and in this post we are sharing a few external resources which might be useful, but we would always recommend that you also consult the people there to help at your…
Vitae Open Research Resources
Since the early 1990s, the open access movement has promoted the concept of greater openness in relation to scientific research. It’s about making research more transparent, collaborative and efficient. There are several aspects to this international drive. Vitae is a non-profit programme, part of The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Ltd with over 45 years’ experience in…
What does studying full-time really mean?
Blog from Katherine Firth for Research Insiders
The best supervisor
I was lucky to have a PhD supervisor whose mentorship transformed my academic experience, says Emma Kathryn White.
A voice from the precariat
Thesis Whisperer post by Dr Pippa Yeoman who has started what is beginning to be called the ‘post-post-post doc’ stage of the academic career
How to build value into the doctorate – ideas for PhD supervisors
PhD graduates make valuable contributions to society and its organisations. But what of the value of the doctorate to the graduates themselves?
Beating the odds to secure a permanent contract
Six early-career researchers offer advice on how to secure a permanent contract in academia, and then make the most of it.
How losing my husband to dementia inspired my research career
In 2008 at the age of 58 I made a big change in my life – I moved from Oxford to Manchester to pursue a new career as a dementia researcher.
Advice from the high seas: how to transition to a new lab
Respect for what you and your colleagues bring to the table is vital to successful integration, says Melissa T. Miller in her blog for Nature Careers
Why you need an agenda for meetings with your principal investigator
A list of talking points can help with navigating potentially difficult topics and sticky negotiations.
New investigators can’t apply for NIHR research funding… can they?
Justine Tomlinson successfully applied for an NIHR RfPB award during her PhD and has shared her advice to encourage other doctoral students to apply.
The key to a happy lab life is in the manual
A well-crafted set of guidelines and advice can save time, reassure trainees and promote a positive lab culture, argues Mariam Aly.
A PhD… plus four kids?!
Sarah Stanford undertoook a PhD researching self-harm. In this blog she provides great advice for anyone thinking about the challenges of PhD and Parenting.
The new, younger generation of scientists is much more open to dialogue with society
Simona Cerrato reports on a new generation of scientists who are confounding expectations and proving much more willing to engage with the public.
Preparation for the viva
After PhD submission, the preparation for the viva can be daunting task but Loughborough PhD & Social Support Network has provided some advice
Guest Blog – Feel the Fear…
Dr Deborah Morgan blogs about her experience of being invited to present a TED talk on her research into loneliness.
How to work with your institution’s press office to maximise the reach of your work
Want your study to make the headlines? You can get help with that.
How to harness the support of your local community: write with your PhD pals
Writing sessions with colleagues are a great reminder to PhD students that we’re all in it together.
So you want to make an impact? Some practical suggestions for early-career researchers
One way for researchers to meet the growing requirement to demonstrate that their work has had an impact is by evidencing the degree to which it has influenced the field they work in.
Blog – PhD Fear (a personal account)
How can you deal with PhD Fear, this great blog from Thesis Whisperer is by Elaine Campbell a Associate Professor at Northumbria Law School,
Costing your research
What costs should you be considering on your next grant application
Your essential ‘how-to’ guide to writing good abstracts
A simple ‘how-to’ guide to writing good abstracts.
12 top tips for writing a grant application
Sitting down to write a grant application? Recently submitted a proposal or been successful in the last MRC board round? Building grant writing skills is a great way to help secure funding. With experience of working with various MRC boards and panels, Dr David Crosby, Programme Manager for Methodology and Experimental Medicine, has a pretty good…
Writing an academic CV in English: 7 tips
A well-written cover letter and CV are both crucial in securing an interview – do you need help?
What can interdisciplinary collaborations learn from the science of team science?
Teamwork makes the dream work, and for interdisciplinary collaborations there are many lessons to be learned from the science of team science.
Guest Blog – Weighing it up: Living, working and studying in the UK as a clinical academic
Anna VolkmerSharing experiences of one person who made the leap to working and studying the UK
40 Must-read academic blogs for researchers and PhD students
40 popular blogs by academics (who also make the most of Twitter)
How to fit in when you join a lab abroad
Cultural differences can be both stimulating and challenging for researchers working or studying in a foreign country.
How to be the ‘star PhD student’ – when you are an introvert
Do you identify as ‘introvert’? Many PhD students do. In this post from Thesis Whisperer Sharong Yong discusses how this shouldn’t be a barrier.
Asking for Reasonable Adjustments for a Health Condition or Disability
Disclosing your health condition consists of two parts of a conversation: the disclosure itself and the request for support.
What should you get from being a postdoc?
You are coming towards the end of your PhD – so what next? There are many options open to you
Clinical Trial Design Is A Two-Way Street
CoLAB brings clinical research teams and external partners — including patients, study coordinators, nurses, and physicians — face-to-face for a dress rehearsal of a clinical trial protocol.
How product management could be a route out of academia for PhDs and postdocs
Are job prospects for PhD candidates and postdoctoral scientists dismal?
How to mentor undergraduates as a postgraduate, and why it’s important
There’s a difference between mentoring and doling out to-do lists…
Using patient and public involvement to improve research design and funding application
Using patient and public involvement to improve the research design and funding application for a project aimed at fostering a more collaborative approach to the NHS health check: the CaVIAR project (better Care Via Improved Access to Records)
Patient engagement in guidelines: reality or myth?
There has been an increased emphasis on involving patients and the public in research. While this sounds like a positive movement, are guideline developers actually involving patients?
Why GDPR matters for research
On 25 May 2018 new data protection regulations are introduced in the UK and across the EU. What do the new regulations mean for research.
How to design an award-winning conference poster
A good academic conference poster serves a dual purpose: it is both an effective networking tool and a means by which to articulately communicate your research. But how can you make it great?
The Politics of Data: The rising prominence of a data-centric approach to scientific research.
LSE has launched a series of posts on the politics of data. Big data, small data and data sharing will be critically examined by a range of experts, each exploring the implications of the changing data landscape for research and society.
Writing a page-turner: how to tell a story in your scientific paper
We watch, read, tell, and listen to stories every day. Despite this, most researchers don’t think in terms of story when they write a journal paper – could you learn how?
Guest Blog – The myths and mysteries of transitioning from clinician to academic
Debunking some of the myths around academia can help health professionals take their first steps onto this career path.
Designing ‘attention points’ in academic work: Four principles for improving tables, graphs, charts and diagrams.
Four top-level design principles to consider when constructing tables, charts, graphs, or diagrams.
Coping strategies for full time workers turned PhD students
Have you given up a great full time job to do your PhD? Some of you might have done this fairly recently – what changes can you expect?
Five steps to meeting the challenges of maintaining an appropriate writing voice
Daniel Beaudoin shares five simple steps to keep the “me” in check
Careers advice from the (dystopian) future
Great blog from UCL Careers service, once again drawing inspiration from our favourite streaming service.
No nine to five job: working as a senior teaching fellow AND in the restaurant business
Inspiring story of Dr Sayeda Abu-Amero who has a PhD in fungal virology, and has been balancing teaching, research and a new career.
A number of freely available tools can help you improve your literature review routine and stay on top of published research
A short sequence of steps and flagged a number of freely available online tools that will help researchers to easily integrate an effective literature review and discovery routine into their work lives.
How to sail smoothly from academia to industry
To beat the stiff competition, highlight your skills in collaboration, teamwork and meeting deadlines.
Communicating your research toolkit – The Health Foundation
Want to communicate your health research in a better way in 2018? This resource from The Health Foundation is the tool you need.
Lies are fast, truth is slow: the importance of mastering the rhythms of academic life and work
A unique perspective encouraged by science; the ability to slow down, freeze-frame, and dissect things.
Grant Proposals (or Give me the money!)
Article from the Writing Centre, helping you write and revise grant proposals for research funding
How to make the most of an academic conference – a checklist for before, during and after the meeting
Going to an academic conference is an exciting opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and exchange stimulating ideas. Marta Teperek provides a checklist of things to do at each of these stages.
Spot light on the NIHR Research Design Service
National Institute for Health Research We are the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) we fund health and care research and translate discoveries into practical products, treatments, devices and procedures, involving patients and the public in all our work. We ensure the NHS is able to support the research of other funders to encourage broader…
What is Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Training? Do I need it?
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is the international ethical, scientific and practical standard to which all clinical research is conducted
Invitation to join CHAIN
An informal, multi-professional mutual support network in the field of health & Social Care
Six academic writing habits that will boost productivity
What’s the secret to a productive spell of writing? Chris Smith shares insights gleaned from interviews with a diverse group of academics, from which a number of common academic writing habits stood out.
We need to talk about disability and chronic illness during the PhD
If you developed a chronic illness and an associated disability during your studies… where do you turn? How do you confront the challenge?
De-stuffing your writing: or the The bumper list of words and phrases you could delete to make your writing more concise
This post is by Dr Katherine Firth, research fellow at Latrobe University. Katherine blogs over at Research Voodoo. As you probably already know Inger, Shaun and I are writing a book about Academic Writing Trouble and How to Fix It that distills the advice you would get if you took us out for lunch and asked…
Eight reasons why a PhD by publication is often a good model
A PhD by publication allows you to write for real and varied audiences, inviting intellectual exchanges that benefit your research.
A look behind the scenes – how Alzheimer’s Research UK decides what research to fund
Earlier this year, Alzheimer’s Research UK offered dementia researchers in the early stages of their career a chance to sit in on a meeting of our Grant Review Board. Dr Lauren Walker took the opportunity…
I want to leave academia – what’s next?
Good advice on how NOT to be an academic when you finish your PhD is pretty thin on the ground. Many supervisors have never done anything else, and/or are not well enough connected with industry to know what is ‘hot’. Careers centres at universities tend to shape their offerings around the huge undergraduate cohort, who…
Write Your Way Out
Is there such a thing as ‘writers block’? How can you come out of the other end?
“TEXT!!” What can Love Island teach us about careers?
I assume you watched Love Island, right? It seems we all did. And if you didn’t (Don’t worry it will be back in the summer). Cancel all plans and you’ll be caught up in no time. It’ll be well worth it. Much like David Attenborough’s Planet Earth, Love Island offers new perspectives on our world,…
Why do a Clinical Research Training Fellowship?
There are a number of opportunities to be a clinician and academic in the UK. Watch this film from the MRC to explain more.
From PhD to ECR
As a newly qualified Early Career Researcher, looking ahead to your first year post-PhD, you may be wondering what next. In this case study Georgina Collins, who has a PhD in Translation Studies, talks about her first year as an early career researcher. Georgina Collins I studied for a PhD in Translation Studies in the…
Stranger Careers Advice
By S Donaldson What did you get up to this weekend? I stayed in and binge-watched series 2 of Stranger Things. I know, I know, I’m a little behind. I could pretend the delay was due to my active social life or (more believably) because I had The Defenders and Transparent to get through first….
Explore the skills that can open career doors after your doctoral training
Ph.D. holders in a variety of careers agree that they started developing many of the professional skills they use in their jobs while they were in grad school. The information interpreting, data analysis, and problem solving they did as Ph.D. students were important in research and nonresearch positions alike, a recently published survey of 3803…
In praise of academic spouses
This post is by Moira Hansen who is currently in the 3rd year of her Lord Kelvin Adam Smith-funded PhD at the University of Glasgow. As a graduate of both literary studies and life sciences, her research project – ‘”Melancholy and low spirits are half my disease”: physical and mental health in the life and…
Scientist Focus: Maria Tortora
This is a cross-post from the Alzheimer’s Research UK blog Fighting dementia inspires my research There is more to being an effective dementia researcher than honed laboratory skills. New researchers need to pick up a host of skills in order to forge a successful career and have the greatest impact. This month, dementia researchers in…
Discover the NIHR Faculty and how it can help your career
The National Institute for Health Research Faculty is the collective term for the people we support to lead and deliver health research, and to train as the next generation of health researchers. This is a diverse group of people – including academic researchers, operational delivery professionals and those training as future applied health researchers. The…
Get the picture? How not to use images in the thesis
Thinking of using images in your thesis? Good idea. And easy to do with everything now being digital. But… you have to get it right!
Clinical Academics Career Framework
A new animation from Health Education England and the National Institute for Health Research, explaining opportunities for aspiring clinical academics.
First Submission to Your Supervisor
I’ve always wanted to do my best. To impress. More than that – to be the best. To be infallible. I wanted every one of my submissions to my supervisor to be the same. Perfect. Throughout the first three months of my PhD, I kept trying to write that perfect paper. Those frustrated attempts now…
Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Research Leaders
Want to be a Dementia Research Leader? Alzheimer’s Society supports researchers who have the skill, drive and potential to be the leading voices and experts in dementia research in the future.
NIHR Research Design Service – Confidential & Free Advice
supporting researchers in developing grant application including, research design, research methods, identifying funding sources and involving patients and the public – Confidential & free
Presentation Tips and Speaking in Public
I suspect speaking in public is a little like Marmite – either you thrive on it and find it a thrilling and stimulating experience, or it scares the living daylights out of you. Possibly both. I first got into public speaking as a teenager who was somewhat socially awkward and gawky, but fond of performing…
Scientist Focus: Grace Hallinan
Postgraduate Research Student in Neuroscience at the University of Southampton (UK), in the final year of her PhD,
NIHR Training and Career Development
NIHR trainees explain how the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has helped them to develop a career in research
Lessons I’ve learnt as an early career researcher
As I come to the end of my current postdoc and tenure as a bona fide early career researcher (at least according to several grant-awarding bodies), I look back on the past 10 years since I started my master’s with wizened eyes. Here are some of the mistakes I have made – from the trivial to the…
Twitter hashtag #ECRDementia
What do dementia researchers need to know? Podcast from @dem_researcher including advice from people living with dementia featuring @mason4233 @jaynegoodrick @HilaryDoxford @BetterResearch https://t.co/idIDzJjhmF #ECRDementia
What do researchers need to know? Advice from people living with dementia – a two part special https://t.co/zLUwD6rXc4 #ECRDementia
#WhereAreWe @3NDWG @HilaryDoxford @beatdementia @alzheimerssoc @AlzheimerEurope @jaynegoodrick
@beatdementia @mason4233 @UniofReading @NasutoSlawek @faustina_hwang Thank you for the re-tweet @mason4233 . Your work helps me to be a better @dem_researcher What do researchers need to know? Advice from people living with dementia https://t.co/nBIO9NwvCt #ECRDementia
A couple of weeks ago we recorded a podcast with the team from Join Dementia Research @beatdementia. Did you know that any UK #Dementia Researcher can use their service to find study participants for free? #ECRDementia #ECR #DemPhD #PhDChat https://t.co/kv97ZSlrrU
We keep a diary of all the events for #Dementia Researchers. Looking for a conference, workshop or chance to escape the lab? Take a look (and if we missed one, you can add it too) #ECRDementia #DemPhD https://t.co/EcEXPPB8C3