What is a free PhD program? What does fully funded mean in the context of a PhD? Is a PhD program an education or a job? Do you get paid, or are you paying for it? The designs of PhD programs differ substantially between countries. What is important to know for your career?
Many PhD students and most postdocs want to pursue a career in academia. But 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?
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 your personal life and finances because it is hard work, the academic job market is competitive, and it takes a long time to get a tenure-track position.
An MD-PhD program allows you to earn both an MD and a PhD in a condensed period, potentially giving you a competitive edge in the job market. It is a long and demanding training that requires a great deal of commitment and dedication. Is it worth it?
Do you want to make a good impression in your online interview? Avoid these mistakes!
During the last decade, I have done multiple online interviews with potential PhD students and postdocs. I have seen an astonishing variety of strange behaviors during an online interview (and made several mistakes myself).
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.
Job interview outfits in science differ from those in other industries. In academia, basic scientists may underdress, while doctors and clinical researchers tend to overdress. Traditional attire may suit big pharma and established tech firms, while start-ups may favor smart-casual looks, and the social sector might value approachable attire.
Being a professor is amazing: a lot of academic freedom to investigate and teach exciting subjects and a secure salary until retirement. However, obtaining this position can be pretty strenuous, and many young scientists do not know the requirements to qualify for such a position. In this article, I give you 10 essential parameters a selection committee will evaluate when selecting a new professor.
Medicine, dentistry, or life sciences may have a similar appeal when deciding on your career path. Your choice will depend massively on your interests, talents, and long-term goals. See below for a comparison of the pros and cons of the three career paths to better decide what you truly want.
Young scientists often get conflicting advice on how they should publish. Every generation of young scientists has to address similar questions: Should I publish several smaller papers or should I focus on one big paper with a high impact factor? What is the effect of my publication strategy on my career and the possibility to raise grant money? How important is my publication list for a non-academic career?