Postdocs and Students

Community-college programmes in the United States can be a quick, cheap route into the pharmaceutical industry. Ted Agres talks to scientists making the grade.

Postdoc salaries vary widely at every level, from countries down to individual teams.

Job prospects are looking gloomy as the economic downturn runs its course, but there are bright spots for some. Genevive Bjorn reports on ways to shelter from the storm.

Nurturing independence is appreciated, as Alison Abbott finds out.

Postdocs are attempting to organize and improve their lot worldwide — but results have been mixed. Paul Smaglik reports.

Graduate students can be key links in interdisciplinary science, but training them for this role is a challenge, says Brian Vastag.

For junior science-faculty members and staff, hiring researchers is an important way to boost career success. But without management training, it's a shot in the dark. Genevive Bjorn reports.

A bold scheme to map the entire human brain has become the mission of many scientists from a host of different fields. Paul Smaglik tracks the interdisciplinary career implications.

After boosting its number of postdocs by thousands, Japan is dealing with a major researcher glut. Heidi Ledford reports.

Sabbaticals offer scientists respite and a chance at reinvention. Hannah Hoag explores the year off.

Taking time between university and graduate school to gain more research experience is time well spent. Kendall Powell uncovers a growing trend for US students.

There's more than one way to do postdoctoral research, and unconventional routes can lead to international collaboration, intellectual or personal freedom and better job prospects. Kendall Powell explores the roads less travelled.

Gut check time: should you stay in academia, on the bench or even quit science?

Personal problems can overwhelm an already stressful young research career, but sound strategies can help you stay the course, counsels Kendall Powell

Science is cut-throat by nature, but how should young scientists handle working on competitive projects — or worse, getting scooped? Kendall Powell investigates how to release the pressure valve.

Morale, money or moving house can all be reasons for switching labs mid-project. Kendall Powell learns from those who have made the jump with success.

Thinking about scientific misconduct before tangling with a real case will help you protect your own career and promote research integrity. Kendall Powell investigates a few case studies.

Is your adviser not the role model or mentor of your dreams? Then take charge of the situation and find the right people. Kendall Powell plays matchmaker. More than one mentor may be necessary for postdocs and graduate students.

Conflict in the laboratory can depress attitudes, dampen prospects or even derail young science careers. Kendall Powell finds out how to resolve issues and stay on track.

Don't stack shelves in the precious break between terms, stack up your lab experience. Hannah Hoag studies the world of the summer intern.