Guest Posts

Failure, Resiliency and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Failure, Resiliency and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Scientific career paths are often littered with rejection and setbacks, so how do we find the strength we need to reach our goals? Dr Matthew Caley of Queen Mary University of London shares the challenges he faced on his own career journey, from 6-year-old wannabe pirate to successful skin researcher.

Getting Accustomed to Rejection

Getting Accustomed to Rejection

Rejection is a normal part of science, so why don’t we talk about our failures more often? How can we become more accustomed to rejection? In this article, Danielle L Tomasello of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research explores her own experiences of rejection and the importance of resilience in grant writing.

Identifying & Dealing with Burnout in Academia

Identifying & Dealing with Burnout in Academia

Academic careers are often accompanied by pressure and stress, and as scientists it’s vital we learn to spot the signs of burnout long before we reach the point of crisis. In this valuable article, Dragonfly Mental Health offers essential advice on identifying and dealing with burnout in academia.

The 12-Step Guide to Getting the Most From Your Mentors

The 12-Step Guide to Getting the Most From Your Mentors

The mentor-mentee relationship is one of the most important relationships in science, but it takes honesty, compatibility and effective communication to make it work. Professor Stuart Maudsley of the University of Antwerp has mentored students from all walks of life, and shares 12 key pieces of advice to help you get the most from your mentors.

Listen & Learn: How to Start Your Own Science Podcast

Listen & Learn: How to Start Your Own Science Podcast

Want to create your own science podcast but aren’t sure where to start? Dr Elodie Chabrol shares her brilliant collection of tips and tricks to help you get your podcast off the ground and into the ears of science fans around the world…

Setting up a New Lab: Overcoming Challenges & Celebrating Success

Setting up a New Lab: Overcoming Challenges & Celebrating Success

One year ago, Dr Leonardo Ferreira took his first steps along the tenure track when he set up his own lab at the Medical University of South Carolina, USA. In this guest article, he shares the challenges he faced in year one, his hopes for the future & offers valuable advice for those about to start a lab of their own…

10 Tips for Balancing Parenthood on the Path to Your PhD

10 Tips for Balancing Parenthood on the Path to Your PhD

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience, so how do graduate students balance the challenges of parenthood with the demands of a PhD? Laura Geben of Vanderbilt University, USA, shares her 10 top tips for not just surviving, but thriving as a trainee-parent.

How To Excel In Your Doctoral Viva (Dissertation Defense)

How To Excel In Your Doctoral Viva (Dissertation Defense)

It’s normal to feel nervous about defending your PhD thesis, but there’s a lot you can do to make the experience less stressful. In this guest article, Dr Stacey Bedwell of King’s College London shares some top viva tips from her forthcoming book, ‘How to Excel in Your Doctoral Viva’.

How to Successfully Collaborate with a Computational Neuroscientist

How to Successfully Collaborate with a Computational Neuroscientist

Collaborating with theoretical computational scientists can help wet lab groups get more out of their data - but fostering the relationship is key to its success. Here Kanaka Rajan, award-winning neuroscientist and Assistant Professor at the Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, shares four core principles to help promote a more productive collaboration with computational scientists.

The Recipe for Sweet PhD Success - Part 2

The Recipe for Sweet PhD Success - Part 2

There’s no sugar-coating it. A PhD is a big commitment that requires patience, determination, and an appetite for success! In the second of her brilliant two-part series, Dr Noelia D Falcon of the University of East Anglia shares her recipe for the perfect PhD experience.