Should I choose a big or a small university?
Choosing the right place for a position as a PhD student, postdoc or professor is always a key career decision. Spontaneous advice from colleagues mostly tends towards big universities. However, there...
View ArticlePressure or pleasure – what produces better science?
There is a huge body of scientific evidence that happy team members produce better results. However, the majority of PhD students and postdocs is stressed by peer pressure, high demands by their...
View ArticleFour myths about scientists that let you work too much!
For many researchers science is a passion and for some even a calling. However, the status of sciences as “something you do for passion” is often abused by supervisors and institutions to justify bad...
View ArticleIs it possible to be a parent and have a career in research?
Many young researchers struggle with their work-life balance. Especially for researchers with a family, it is challenging to divide their time and energy between home and work. The question “is it...
View ArticleDo I really have to work abroad as a scientist?
Young scientists often get the advice that they *must* work abroad for several years to pursue a career in science. But is this really true? There are multiple arguments for and against this...
View ArticleThe emotional phases of your research project and “The Dip”
Every research project has four typical emotional phases: You start with naïve enthusiasm, become competent and disillusioned, you want to give up (“The Dip”), you recover and finally you round up and...
View ArticleFor 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...
View ArticleDoes CORONA kill my career in science?
Lockdown makes it difficult to do experiments and to work on your scientific career. Losing a few months of your research may not seem so dramatic… or is it? You sit at home and have to motivate...
View ArticleUsing the lockdown as a strategic advantage for your career in science
Despite everyone complaining about the lockdown, I believe it can be used as a golden opportunity for your scientific career… Although I didn’t dare mention this at the beginning. The post Using the...
View ArticleHow Long Does It Take To Complete a Doctorate?
Have you ever wondered, “How many years does it take to earn a doctoral degree?” If you are considering a PhD, it is crucial to understand the time commitment involved. In this article, I will unpack...
View ArticleShould I Quit My Postdoc?
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. The post Should I...
View ArticleHow to get over narcissistic abuse by a supervisor?
If you feel like you're always walking on eggshells, your supervisor may be a narcissist and abuse you emotionally. Narcissists often use manipulation, control, and gaslighting to keep their staff...
View ArticleIs being a professor worth it?
Being a professor is amazing because of the intellectual fulfillment derived from research and teaching, the societal impact, and academic freedom. However, the journey to a professorship may strain...
View Article12 strategies to combine a science career with a good family life
Many young parents in science have a strong feeling of guilt when they try to combine a successful scientific career with a healthy family life. However, there are many good examples of parents who...
View ArticleCareer or Contribution – what is more important?
Everybody struggles with the same dilemma. Do I focus on my career or on my scientific contributions? If I concentrate on my advancement, I am seen as selfish. Yet, if I focus on my contributions, I...
View ArticleWhat is a successful career in science?
Interestingly, most young and often more mature researchers can not easily define what “a successful career in science” means. This question is highly relevant – for example, when looking for a new...
View ArticleNine 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. The post Nine reasons for NOT going abroad – and how...
View ArticleI am just an average scientist – what can I do?
You see these big science stars who publish in Nature and Science. They have huge grants, a massive machinery of high-class technology, and a big team of highly ambitious postdocs and PhD students who...
View ArticleShould I choose a big or a small university?
Choosing the right place for a position as a PhD student, postdoc, or professor is always a critical career decision. Spontaneous advice from colleagues mostly tends towards big universities. However,...
View ArticleThe most intelligent strategy to get hired in science
Are you nervous not to find a job? Does the insecurity nearly kill you? Are you sending out hundreds of applications without success? Stop wasting your time and change your approach. Intelligent job...
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