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Follow two post-PhD students on their search for an academic job
In the first of a new series, Mel and Dean discuss expectations, anxieties and ambitions as they join the academic rat raceMel Rohse, PhD in peace studiesAge: 28University: BradfordStarted PhD: October...
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Postdoc diaries: where are all the entry-level academic jobs?
From setting up job alerts and meeting with academics to tutoring schoolchildren, Mel and Dean say it's not for lack of trying that they haven't secured an academic jobDean D'Souza, PhD in cognitive...
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How to shine in an academic interview
Here's the truth: interviews may be terrifying, but they are also predictable. Steve Joy shares his top tipsMany dread going to job interviews. Yet it is a fact not often acknowledged that interviews...
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Women in academia: what does it take to reach the top?
Women need to build self-confidence and promote themselves. But is this enough? Or does real change imply breaking down the structures that favour men? Two insiders have their sayMore than 50 senior...
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Want to hire creative risk-takers? Doctoral graduates could be the answer
Over half of PhD graduates now go into jobs outside academia. David Bogle says huge improvements in the training of doctoral graduates deserve more attention from employersNot so long ago I heard a...
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How do you improve your chances of getting an academic job?
From seeking careers advice to winning a research grant, Mel and Dean question what it takes to secure a job in academiaMel Rohse, PhD in peace studiesI recently had an interesting conversation with a...
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Worried about academic interviews? Here's how to handle tricky questions
Plenty of thinking ahead and clearly structured answers will help take the fear out of interviews. Steve Joy offers advice on 10 tough questionsThis post is a companion to my last piece about preparing...
View ArticlePostdoc diaries: to research or teach?
Securing a job may require setting aside cherished plans. Mel and Dean reflect on some difficult decisionsLast month, I mentioned that the Williams Syndrome Foundation (WSF) has decided to fund my...
View ArticleCan engaging with the public help your career in academia?
Being able to explain your research to a non-specialist audience is a valuable skill, but it's unlikely to make you famousAt a recent talk to early career academics, I was arguing for the importance of...
View ArticleFive things successful PhD students refuse to do
High achievers work out how to stand their ground and make the most of every opportunityWhen my first year as a PhD student became a daily grind of going to several classes a day and learning endless...
View ArticleWanted: academic employer who is ready to commit
Postdoc diaries: job-seeking graduates Mel and Dean turn to networking and publishing to impress prospective university employersAlthough the Williams Syndrome Foundation has agreed to fund my research...
View ArticlePostdoc diaries: academic jobs are scarce but we're optimistic
For six months, we've followed PhD graduates Mel and Dean in their hunt for a job. The final instalment sees them feeling positive about the futureRemember childhood? Job-hunting seemed to be so much...
View ArticleThe game of higher education what's the best way to play it?
Through self-leadership, early career academics can take control of their careers, be proactive and set their own goalsLeadership is something of a buzzword these days, a concept which has seeped into...
View ArticleCrossing the globe for academic work: two scholars share their experiences
From pay to university collaboration, one Brit and Aussie weigh up how their home countries compareAustralian and UK universities research collaborationsAfter 20 years at Royal Holloway, part of the...
View ArticleAcademics: would you teach in China?
Opportunities to work in China are growing, but expect to adapt your approach to teaching and researchChina's young people are hungry for degrees. The number moving to the UK to study has grown...
View ArticleWhy advertise research jobs if you've already picked your winner?
There's no point in advertising a research job if a good internal candidate has already been lined up, says our anonymous academicSo, coming to the end of yet another fixed-term research contract, it...
View ArticleApplying for a postdoc job? Here are 18 tips for a successful application
Securing a postdoc position is fiercely competitive. We speak to academics and career advisers to see how you can improve your chances of standing out Postdoc diaries – six months on from the job...
View ArticleThink about it: why budding philosophers shouldn't sit exams
Formal tests can’t measure complex ideas and creative thinking – so the University of Essex has ditched them altogetherUntil recently, philosophy students at the University of Essex – as in most other...
View ArticleNew year, new career goals? Here are our top tips
Throughout 2015, we published advice from experts on how to succeed in your university career. Here are our 10 most popular articles As thoughts turn to a new year, lots of you will be considering your...
View ArticleWhy scientists should learn to love Reddit
You’ll find communities thirsty for your findings – and a space to demonstrate measurable ‘impact’ to your heart’s contentIt was sometime in August 2014 when I got my first taste of Reddit. It was one...
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