So you’ve submitted your PhD thesis, but what next? If you’re looking to apply for a postdoc position, there’s a lot to consider. You’ll need to network for opportunities, choose the right lab, put in an application that stands out from the rest, and impress your potential new PI during the interview process. We’ve reached out to our online community of life scientists to ask their advice on the postdoc application process, and they’ve shared some of their own stories of transition from a PhD to a postdoc role too. We’ve gathered their very best tips to create The Life Scientists’ Guide to App ..read more

Experiencing rejection and feelings of inadequacy will affect most scientists at some point in their career, and the pressure of publishing, obtaining grants and getting results can trigger ‘imposter syndrome’ and affect the mental wellbeing of even the most experienced of researchers. But it may help you to know that you are not alone and that there are lots of people out there, including your colleagues and peers that have been in similar situations themselves, and who want to help. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to get the latest updates and please do let us know ..read more

Undertaking a science PhD is no easy feat. But help is at hand! Whether you are writing up your dissertation, struggling in the lab, or a new PhD student, we have lots of resources to support you on a whole range of PhD-related topics - everything you need to survive what may be one the toughest (and rewarding) periods in your life! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to get the latest updates and please do let us know if there is a topic you would like to see on our blog, or indeed - if there are any lessons you have learnt during your own PhD that you would like to sha ..read more

Like many professions, life scientists are finding themselves in an unprecedented situation right now as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts scientific research around the world. Many labs (like many other workplaces) have told their teams that they are closing for an unspecified amount of time. That means many life scientists are being asked – in some cases for the first time ever – to work remotely as ongoing research and experiments are suspended. Scientific conferences, which are a staple of many researchers’ careers, are also being cancelled all around the world. Life science PhDs and postdocto ..read more

We all encounter rejection at some point in our lives, and for scientists rejection can come in many forms – whether it’s being refused funding for a research project, having a paper or journal rejected by a publisher, or being turned down for a job role or postdoc position. Most of us will face rejection at some stage of our careers. While we can’t avoid it, we can choose how we cope with it. Rejection in any form can feel painful and disheartening, so how do we stay strong in the face of setbacks? And how do we ensure rejection doesn’t have a lasting adverse effect on our mindset, career pla ..read more

One of the biggest challenges for life scientists is working within budgets to make your grants and funding go further. In this Life Scientist's Guide To Cost-Saving In The Lab, neuroscience PhD student Karolina Farrell from UCL shares her top tips for cutting costs (not corners) in the lab. We also put the question of cost-saving out to our Twitter community, and got some fantastic tips which we’ve included alongside Karolina’s great advice. If you have any more cost-saving tips to share with your fellow scientists, comment below! Before buying anything, ask yourself three questions When it ..read more

Presenting at conferences is a great way to raise your profile as a scientist. Since most life scientists will give a talk at a conference or seminar at some point in their career – whether a formal presentation or a poster presentation – it’s a seriously good idea to learn how to deliver a brilliant presentation that’s engaging and informative. For many of us, public speaking will bring on sweaty palms and butterflies – and presenting in front of peers and experts only adds more pressure. However, with the right preparation, skills and mindset, presenting can be a painless experience – and da ..read more

Writing scientific papers is essential if you’re going to share your research with fellow life scientists, and the world. No matter how passionate you are about your research, for a lot of scientists the task of putting pen to paper can feel daunting. However, being able to communicate your research methods and findings effectively is a crucial skill. So, how can we make the whole process feel a little less like a chore, and more like an exciting opportunity? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you’re about to start on your first paper, there’s always things to be learned and new tips to pick up ..read more

Reviewing your first manuscript for a journal can be both an exciting and daunting experience. You might be wondering where to start, what aspects to critique, or struggling with imposter syndrome. In which case, the best way to get started is to “learn-by-doing” and pair up with a more experienced mentor who is willing to guide you through the process and provide constructive feedback. As early-career researchers ourselves, we wanted to share what we have learnt from our experiences, and help the next generation of research scientists write clear and constructive peer reviews. Why peer revie ..read more

As scientists ourselves, we know how daunting it feels when you embark upon on your first PhD. Especially right at the beginning, when everything can feel totally new and overwhelming. Whilst 91% of the life scientists who took part in our Big Life Scientist Survey said they’re passionate about their research, only 25% said they feel there’s adequate support for early-career life scientists. To show you just how much support there is for you in the life science community from your peers (and from us!) we’ve put together The Life Scientists’ Guide for New PhD Students. Here, you’ll find the fan ..read more