Features in 2013

With the right mix of persistence and support structures, scholars from minority groups can thrive as they pursue their PhDs.

Biologists frustrated with wet-lab work can find rewards in a move to computational research.

Writing science books for the public is rewarding, but can take a lot of time — and financial gain is uncertain.

Three-dimensional printing can help researchers to design and build devices without breaking the bank.

Field stations offer sophisticated facilities and opportunities for large-scale research.

With several big data projects under way, there is growing demand for neuroimaging expertise.

Institutions shake off rivalries to build scientific collaborations and hire world-class talent.

Scientific organizations can help researchers — especially in developing countries — to make contacts and boost their skills.

Grant reviewers are increasingly focusing on the scientific and social impact of proposed research projects.

After a decade of investment, physics research is thriving in Southern Ontario, Canada.

Graduate students face big decisions about money. They can benefit from wise counsel and careful forethought.

Disputes are bound to happen in high-pressure research environments. The key is knowing how to respond when they do.

Researchers disillusioned with the lab and eager to engage their soft skills can find promise in scientific administration.

For chemists with an interest in the environment, making a move into green chemistry can be fruitful.

Alternative measures can yield useful data on achievement — but must be used cautiously.

In a tough job market, immunologists are in demand. To move from academia to a biotechnology or drug company, researchers must explore the options and stay flexible.

Researchers can get visibility and connections by putting their data online — if they go about it in the right way.

Countries on the Arabian Peninsula are vying to attract young scientists to their universities.

Scientists willing to take a risk are setting up individual research operations in rented lab space.

With forethought and support, science instructors can design effective massive open online courses.