Graduate school is a dream and aspiration for many science students, but the application process for financial support can be time-consuming and complicated. Vanessa Mwebaza Muwanga, a PhD candidate in Clinical Science & Immunology at the University of Cape Town shares valuable advice on research, planning and mindset to help maximise your chances of submitting a successful funding application.
The pressure of a PhD can be all-consuming. As your thesis deadline looms, it’s easy to buckle under the strain of anxiety, imposter syndrome and outright exhaustion. Dr Noelia D Falcon, a senior research associate at the University of East Anglia, shares her experiences of coping with PhD pressure, and speaks openly about dealing with a period of grief during one of the most stressful times in her life.
The transition from PhD to postdoc can be a tricky one. To navigate the process smoothly it’s essential to make decisions and start planning as early as you can. Dr Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas of the University of Sydney shares her PhD to postdoc story and offers 5 top tips to help make your transition as stress-free as possible.
Thinking of doing a remote science work placement? Second year undergrad Zelia Almeida Bridges shares the highs and lows of an online work experience project along with her advice for supervisors and students alike…
Is there ever a ‘good time’ to become a parent? Starting a family while pursuing a career in science can be a real balancing act, but with the right support, it doesn’t have to be impossible. Behavioural neuroscientist Dr. Justyna Hinchcliffe of the University of Bristol shares her advice, tips for funding and experiences of juggling parenthood whilst pursuing a career in academia...
Defending your doctoral thesis can be a daunting prospect at any time, but doing it via video call is another challenge altogether! Dr. Harry Potter of the University of Edinburgh shares the story of his lockdown PhD defense, and considers the pros and cons of a virtual viva...
You don’t need real superpowers to start reducing waste or conserving energy in your lab… even a mild-mannered PhD candidate can make a difference! Oisín C. Joyce of Trinity College Dublin took on the challenge when he joined the ranks of a Green Lab committee, and made it his mission to put lab sustainability first…
When undergraduate student Elizabeth Ethier landed her dream co-op position at the Alzheimer’s Clinical and Translational Research Unit in Boston, she was excited for the new challenges it would bring. But navigating an in-person work placement during a global pandemic would prove to be a different challenge altogether…
Feelings of inadequacy will affect most of us at some point in our lives, and the pressure of a PhD can trigger ‘imposter syndrome’ in even the most confident of researchers. Pearl Akazue, a PhD Fellow at the University of Ghana reflects on her first few days as a PhD student, and shares some valuable advice on overcoming negative feelings...
After being told she didn't write like a "typical scientist", Dr. Lucka Bibic set out on a mission to adapt her writing style while maintaining her passion for poetic prose. In this wonderful guest article, Lucka explains why you don’t need to sound like a typical scientist in order to be one...
