Article archive
Opportunities: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 21 December 2006
A pivotal year
Published on 21 December 2006
This year has been a rollercoaster, both personally and professionally. I've left a relationship, bought a flat and started writing a popular-science book. I've participated in a choir competition and a ski trip to Slovakia. And somewhere in between, I've managed to finish a PhD.
Prospects
Published on 21 December 2006
NIH programme offers possibilities of independence for young researchers.
How to get a PhD
Published on 14 December 2006
Evaluating PhD progress both highlights accomplishments and suggests daunting challenges ahead.
Graduate journal keepers look back on a year of lessons learned — in and out of the lab.
Published on 13 December 2006
Model Mentors
Published on 13 December 2006
Five scientists nominated by their peers have created nurturing research environments and fostered fields and careers far beyond their labs. Carina Dennis and Janet Wright give credit where it's long overdue.
Special Feature: NIH
Published on 7 December 2006
Highlight: Germany's Excellence Initiative
Published on 7 December 2006
How to ask yourself questions about major career decisions.
Published on 6 December 2006
Should I stay or should I go?
Published on 6 December 2006
Gut check time: should you stay in academia, on the bench or even quit science?
Scientists have several reasons to be thankful.
Published on 29 November 2006
Bio Bonanza
Published on 29 November 2006
Is interest in biofuels in the United States a just fad or a growing trend that will yield numerous jobs and research opportunities? Gene Russo separates the wheat from the chaff.
Highlight: Germany's Excellence Initiative
Published on 23 November 2006
Prospects
Published on 22 November 2006
Funding initiative offers boost for young scientists in Germany.
Small talk
Published on 22 November 2006
Nanobiotechnology is a growing field, but will it emulate the biotech boom? Virginia Gewin investigates.
Robert Huber, professor, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Published on 22 November 2006
Robert Huber continues to help advance structural biology.
Unhealthy choices
Published on 22 November 2006
Roller hockey or science?
Published on 22 November 2006
Sometimes I wonder what I'd do instead of science.
Spotlight on Ireland
Published on 16 November 2006
Prospects
Published on 15 November 2006
Global university rankings provide uncertain guidance.
Treasure Ireland
Published on 15 November 2006
The Irish government is investing heavily in science and technology. As a result, career opportunities are becoming plentiful. Quirin Schiermeier reports
John McNeil, scientific director, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Bethesda, Maryland
Published on 15 November 2006
John McNeil seeks fresh approaches to malaria treatment.
A step between bench and bedside
Published on 15 November 2006
NIH institute establishes translational-research centre for environmental sciences.
Done deal
Published on 15 November 2006
With my dissertation defence finally done, I can get on with my life.
Highlight: Francophone
Published on 9 November 2006
Closing the deal
Published on 8 November 2006
Sales and marketing jobs at pharmaceutical companies offer the opportunity to combine science with social skills and creative flair. Hannah Hoag investigates the pitch.
Prospects
Published on 8 November 2006
Georgina Mace, director, Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College London, UK
Published on 8 November 2006
Georgina Mace addresses conservation efforts as head of a population-biology centre.
The view from Russia
Published on 8 November 2006
Russian science is slowly adapting to political change.
The path to a PhD
Published on 8 November 2006
How I fell in love with plants on the way to a PhD.
Highlight: The Netherlands
Published on 2 November 2006
Special Feature: NIH
Published on 2 November 2006
Prospects
Published on 1 November 2006
Young Japanese scientists must deal with career trends similar to those of their US counterparts.
Hans-Olov Adami, Chair, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health
Published on 1 November 2006
Hans-Olov Adami lays plans to emphasize international collaborations in epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.
A bench to call your own
Published on 1 November 2006
The University of California, San Francisco, opens a special brand of incubator.
The joys of communication
Published on 1 November 2006
Communicating science has its perks.
Spotlight: N8 Group
Published on 26 October 2006
Prospects
Published on 25 October 2006
UK academic salary analysis offers mixed news.
Northern exposure
Published on 25 October 2006
An alliance of universities in the north of England hopes to transform Britain's former industrial heartland into a centre of scientific excellence. Paul Smaglik reports.
Carl Pilcher, director, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Moffett Field, California
Published on 25 October 2006
Made-to-measure postdocs
Published on 25 October 2006
How studies can save a life
Published on 25 October 2006
Highlight: Ohio
Published on 19 October 2006
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 19 October 2006
Prospects
Published on 18 October 2006
EMBO awardees reveal blueprints for success.
Luis Serrano, director, Systems Biology Research Unit, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona, Spain
Published on 18 October 2006
Structural biologist's independent approach takes him to helm of new lab.
Training peer reviewers
Published on 18 October 2006
Ten steps to master the art of peer review.
Computer cold turkey
Published on 18 October 2006
Technology can liberate or enslave graduate students.
Prospects
Published on 11 October 2006
Adaptability can trump planning in career considerations.
King Holmes, director, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle
Published on 11 October 2006
New public health challenges for King Holmes at the University of Washington.
More than one route to PhD success
Published on 11 October 2006
Two researchers offer their take on how to succeed as a PhD student.
Lab life or love life?
Published on 11 October 2006
Sometimes dedication in the lab leaves little time for personal relationships.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 5 October 2006
Prospects
Published on 4 October 2006
A jumping off point
Published on 4 October 2006
The recent flood of genome sequences has given evolutionary genetics a boost. Ricki Lewis takes a sharp look at a varied field.
Sam Aronson, director, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
Published on 4 October 2006
Sam Aronson takes the helm at Brookhaven.
Stand up and be quoted
Published on 4 October 2006
Society of young UK scientists fosters better interaction with media.
D-day
Published on 4 October 2006
After years of preparation, dissertation day looms large.
Highlight: Germany
Published on 28 September 2006
Prospects
Published on 27 September 2006
Building a better foundation
Published on 27 September 2006
Europeans have traditionally expected their governments to fund research. But foundations are hoping to play a major new role, says Gene Russo.
Haifan Lin, director, stem-cell programme, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Published on 27 September 2006
Investing in people
Published on 27 September 2006
Sounds of scientists
Published on 27 September 2006
Spotlight on Upstate New York
Published on 21 September 2006
Prospects
Published on 20 September 2006
Up and coming
Published on 20 September 2006
Beyond the urban chaos of New York City lies a tranquil state with abundant career opportunities, says Ricki Lewis.
Arthur Ellis, vice-chancellor for research, University of California, San Diego
Published on 20 September 2006
The mouse house
Published on 20 September 2006
Farewell to the hive
Published on 20 September 2006
Prospects
Published on 13 September 2006
The anniversary of Hurricane Katrina reminds all scientists of a valuable lesson: be prepared.
When it's personal
Published on 13 September 2006
Personal problems can overwhelm an already stressful young research career, but sound strategies can help you stay the course, counsels Kendall Powell
Richard Granger, director, Neukom Institute for Computational Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
Published on 13 September 2006
Richard Granger set to head up centre that combines his love of computers and neuroscience.
Coming home
Published on 13 September 2006
Returning home to Croatia to conduct science required persistence and patience.
Tables turned
Published on 13 September 2006
Facing the reality of being a graduate-student supervisor.
Prospects
Published on 6 September 2006
Supplying industry with the right skills.
Masters of efficiency
Published on 6 September 2006
Manufacturing jobs may be shifting from the large drug companies to contract organizations as firms re-evaluate their strengths. But scientists with analytical skills and an eye for efficiency can find a job transforming materials into medicines, says Hannah Hoag.
Michael Morgan, chief scientific officer, Genome Canada, Ottawa, Canada
Published on 6 September 2006
Michael Morgan takes on yet another genome project.
A bridge from Portugal to the States
Published on 6 September 2006
Postgraduate student society brings together Portuguese researchers studying abroad.
Scheduling my defence
Published on 6 September 2006
Scheduling a thesis defence can be harder than writing the thesis.
Prospect
Published on 29 August 2006
Representation of women in science comes under scrutiny.
Prospects
Published on 23 August 2006
US universities are working hard to boost enrolments from foreign graduate students.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 17 August 2006
Prospects
Published on 16 August 2006
UK graduate students and postdocs are not getting stipend top-ups, despite available funds.
Winning ways
Published on 16 August 2006
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.
Spotlight on Sendai
Published on 10 August 2006
Prospects
Published on 9 August 2006
Postdoc is caught up in Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.
Japan's other research hub
Published on 9 August 2006
The city of Sendai has much to offer research and industry, but, says David Cyranoski, competition for funding and brains is stiff.
Prospects
Published on 2 August 2006
New EU nations are shedding talent to the West.
From bench to briefs
Published on 2 August 2006
Patent law offers opportunities for those who wish to leave the lab but not science, says Monya Baker.
Prospects
Published on 26 July 2006
Looking for the best way to balance lab life and family.
Trial blazers
Published on 26 July 2006
The drug industry may be going through lean times, as new candidates have to clear ever-higher safety hurdles. But this gives scientists who can steer a drug through clinical trials a head start in the job market, says Hannah Hoag.
Matthias Kleiner, president, DFG, Bonn, Germany
Published on 26 July 2006
Matthias Kleiner is first engineer to head Germany's DFG.
Where are the physician-scientists?
Published on 26 July 2006
Physician-scientists wanted.
Lab makeover
Published on 26 July 2006
Giving the lab a new look.
Prospect
Published on 19 July 2006
Outsourcing and European biotech companies.
Making a move
Published on 19 July 2006
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.
Anne Glover, chief scientific adviser for Scotland
Published on 19 July 2006
Glover becomes Scotland's chief scientific adviser.
From student to entrepreneur
Published on 19 July 2006
Graduate student breaks into biotechnology.
Lost and found
Published on 19 July 2006
Sorting through the clutter to retain the big ideas.
Prospect
Published on 12 July 2006
Being a good scientist means finding a balance between efficiency and enjoyment.
Physical exercise
Published on 12 July 2006
The opening of the Large Hadron Collider in Europe will offer high-powered opportunities for particle physicists to decode the mysteries of the Universe. Virginia Gewin finds out more.
Jim Peacock, chief scientist, Canberra, Australia
Published on 12 July 2006
Jim Peacock takes helm as Australia's chief scientist.
Science without the red tape
Published on 12 July 2006
Small Chilean centre is big on collaboration and innovation.
Bowled over (but not out)
Published on 12 July 2006
Cricket games teach science lesson.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 6 July 2006
Prospect
Published on 5 July 2006
International panel seeks more representation of women in science.
Ed Holmes, executive deputy chairman, Biomedical Research Council, Singapore; and Judith Swain, executive director, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences.
Published on 5 July 2006
Holmes and Swain head to Singapore's Biopolis.
The right advice
Published on 5 July 2006
Mentoring award recipient reaches out to geosciences students.
Stumbling at the finish line
Published on 5 July 2006
Distractions multiply as thesis work intensifies.
Prospect
Published on 28 June 2006
Research assessment threatens to reshuffle UK funding.
Gary Borisy, director and chief executive, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Published on 28 June 2006
Gary Borisy takes the helm at the Marine Biological Laboratory.
Networks work
Published on 28 June 2006
Networking can pay off for PhD students.
Goooaaalll! A PhD!
Published on 28 June 2006
Thesis excitement rivals the World Cup.
Prospects
Published on 25 June 2006
Pruning the prickly path to industry.
Prospect
Published on 21 June 2006
Guidelines for physician-scientists call for training reform.
Rules rule
Published on 21 June 2006
Regulatory affairs is a young profession that's already making its mark in the world of drug development, where one false move can bring years of research to an unwelcome end. If your skills include communication and leadership, it may be for you, says Hannah Hoag.
Paul Gilna, executive director, Community Cyberinfrastructure for Advanced Marine Microbial Ecology Research and Analysis (CAMERA) project, San Diego, California
Published on 21 June 2006
Paul Gilna moves on to tackle ocean microbes.
Lessons from the jungle
Published on 21 June 2006
A trip to Africa inspires future graduate study.
Write and wrong
Published on 21 June 2006
Manuscript writing presents challenges.
Prospects
Published on 18 June 2006
Navigating the grey areas of industry-academia interactions.
Highlight: Francophone
Published on 15 June 2006
Prospect
Published on 14 June 2006
Taking a break can lend focus.
Nicholas Schork, director, Center for Biomedical Informatics; co-director, Cancer Genetics Program, University of California, San Diego
Published on 14 June 2006
Nicholas Schork moves on to biomedical informatics.
A physics walkabout
Published on 14 June 2006
NSF postdoc does physics down under.
Graduation joy
Published on 14 June 2006
The joy and trepidation of graduation.
Spotlight on Boston and Cambridge
Published on 8 June 2006
Prospect
Published on 7 June 2006
Hustling for opportunities can overcome local disadvantages.
Bound for Boston
Published on 7 June 2006
With its top academic institutions, Boston has long been a Mecca for biotechnology companies. But the demand for more academic input into industrial science is luring top drug companies there too, says Corie Lok.
Bruce Jones, chief scientist, United States Geological Survey, Washington DC
Published on 7 June 2006
Snake man heads for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Nurturing bioincubators in the north
Published on 7 June 2006
Sheffield boosts bioscience.
Einstein's secret diary?
Published on 7 June 2006
A day in the life of a grad student.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 1 June 2006
Prospect
Published on 31 May 2006
Movie depictions of scientists mirror real perceptions.
Astronomy: Star gazing moves south
Published on 31 May 2006
After years of quasi-colonial treatment from their European partners, local astronomers in Chile and South Africa are coming into their own. Dirk Steuerwald tracks the changing climate for the star-gazers of the south.
Prospect
Published on 24 May 2006
Fledgling UK postdoc association can learn from other efforts.
Animal intelligence
Published on 24 May 2006
Use of animals for testing early in the drug-development process aims to provide vital information to make new drugs safe and effective — and the process is being constantly refined. Hannah Hoag finds out what is involved.
Jai Nagarkatti, president and chief executive, Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Missouri
Published on 24 May 2006
Jai Nagarkatti shows loyalty to his company.
Britain's postdocs unite
Published on 24 May 2006
UK postdocs form association.
Clocking out
Published on 24 May 2006
The shifting passage of time in graduate school.
Prospect
Published on 17 May 2006
Misconduct has ripple effects beyond the perpetrator.
Mahendra Rao, vice-president, research, stem cells and regenerative medicine, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, California
Published on 17 May 2006
Stem-cell scientist heads for industry.
International view from Japan
Published on 17 May 2006
Kyoto students reach out for international collaborators.
The many legs of fear
Published on 17 May 2006
How to avoid being 'bugged' in the lab.
Good in parts
Published on 10 May 2006
Postdoc organization grades institutions
Talk about toxic
Published on 10 May 2006
They arrive from other disciplines; they spread into distant fields. Toxicology is a voyage of discovery for scientists with diverse skills, including those of communication. Ricki Lewis gets them to open up about it.
Stephen Forrest, vice-president for research and William Gould Dow professor in electrical engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Published on 10 May 2006
Engineer bounces between academia and industry
What makes a good PhD student?
Published on 10 May 2006
Some tips for PhD students.
Valuable diversions
Published on 10 May 2006
Hobby horses for courses.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 4 May 2006
Thinking big
Published on 3 May 2006
Policy leaders look at career paths of young scientists.
Misconduct mayhem
Published on 3 May 2006
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.
William Harris, president and chief executive, Science Foundation Arizona
Published on 3 May 2006
The chemist who builds research programmes.
Postdoc prep
Published on 3 May 2006
Diversity committee improves postdoc world for women and ethnic minorities
On Mozart's wavelength
Published on 3 May 2006
Grad student gets the hang of presentations.
A howl of hope
Published on 26 April 2006
Comparing scientists to Beats.
Zachary Fisk, distinguished professor of physics, University of California, Irvine
Published on 26 April 2006
Physics leader follows in footsteps of giants.
Thank you, Professor MacDonald
Published on 26 April 2006
Mentor's open door inspires trust.
The postdoc menu
Published on 26 April 2006
Picking from the postdoc menu.
Physical exertion
Published on 19 April 2006
Enrolment in US graduate physics programmes shifts from foreign to domestic.
Seeing the big picture
Published on 19 April 2006
Creating a new drug is a long and painstaking process, involving the skills and talents of numerous types of scientist, says Hannah Hoag. Each is vital to different stages of producing a drug that's both safe and effective. Drug development draws on various kinds of scientist.
Thomas Baer, executive director, Stanford Photonics Research Center, California
Published on 19 April 2006
Industrial physicist returns to academic roots.
Finding your north
Published on 19 April 2006
Website aims to help scientists locate true career calling.
The great Gatsby
Published on 19 April 2006
Graduate student learns from watching herself on TV.
What now for biotechnology?
Published on 12 April 2006
Developing world offers opportunities for biotechnology.
Mentoring mismatch
Published on 12 April 2006
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.
Nikolaus Rajewsky, head of bioinformatics research, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
Published on 12 April 2006
Physicist-turned-bioinformatician heads back to Germany.
Mass uprising of women in science
Published on 12 April 2006
Women scientist group benefits from some bad news.
Selling the PhD
Published on 12 April 2006
Graduate student steps outside comfort zone.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 6 April 2006
The long road to equality
Published on 5 April 2006
Lab visits show UK women physicists need better environment.
Breaking into business
Published on 5 April 2006
Forget what your mother told you. Scientists looking for jobs in the business world need to learn to talk to strangers, says Monya Baker.
Fotis Kafatos, chairman, scientific council of the European Research Council
Published on 5 April 2006
EMBL leader takes on the ERC.
A meeting of biomedical minds
Published on 5 April 2006
Conference helps young scientist get plugged into international collaborations.
PhD survival guide
Published on 5 April 2006
Graduate student seeks survival guides.
Making it big in Taiwan
Published on 4 April 2006
This small but inventive island is putting transgenics and nanotechnology to novel uses. A pay rise might be all it needs to lure its expatriate scientists home, says Paul Smaglik.
Cracking the tax code
Published on 29 March 2006
Double-checking tax status could mean a refund for some US postdocs.
Written in the blood
Published on 29 March 2006
Research into angiogenesis has survived the 1990s hype about an imminent cure for cancer, and shows promising results in many areas — but don't tell the newspapers, says Ricki Lewis.
Scott Hubbard, Carl Sagan chair for the study of life in the Universe, SETI Institute, Mountain View, California
Published on 29 March 2006
Space scientist searches for life
Emerging into the light
Published on 29 March 2006
Matching mentors with protégés can jump-start careers
Off the straight and narrow
Published on 29 March 2006
Final year finds grad student resisting tunnel vision
Highlight: Austria
Published on 23 March 2006
A mixed blessing
Published on 22 March 2006
Building the Midwest's future
Published on 22 March 2006
Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have had mixed fortunes in their efforts to build up their research infrastructure. Partnerships may prove to be the strongest construction, says Paul Smaglik.
Eric Betzig, group leader, Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Leesburg, Virginia
Published on 22 March 2006
Taiwan's international expansion
Published on 22 March 2006
Life of Riley?
Published on 22 March 2006
Bench partners
Published on 15 March 2006
Technicians' roles deserve a closer look.
Chemistry's evolution
Published on 15 March 2006
Industry's need to reduce waste and deal with the environmental concerns of consumers is creating demand for cleaner catalysis, says Virginia Gewin.
Andrew Chien, director of research and vice-president of corporate technology group Intel, based in Hillsboro, Oregon
Published on 15 March 2006
Academic computer scientist moves to Intel.
What's holding you back
Published on 15 March 2006
Beating those psychological barriers.
Graduate Journal: Master of multitasking
Published on 15 March 2006
Have you got grad skills?
Selling ourselves
Published on 8 March 2006
Practice makes pitch perfect
Suzanne Fortier, president, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Published on 8 March 2006
After a career in university administration, chemist now leads one of Canada's main research funding agencies.
Actors as teachers
Published on 8 March 2006
Training programme employs actors to teach communication and management skills.
Tropical PhD
Published on 8 March 2006
Looking ahead to graduation and leaving an island paradise.
Highlight: The National Institutes of Health
Published on 3 March 2006
China syndrome
Published on 1 March 2006
China is catching up with the West in science funding, education and investment.
After-school programmes
Published on 1 March 2006
PhD students, postdocs and even senior scientists are taking continuing-education courses to improve their scientific 'hard skills' or branch out beyond the lab. Robert Rentzsch had a look around to see what's on offer.
California: Golden State Golden Opportunities
Published on 23 February 2006
Spotlight on Pacific Northwest
Published on 23 February 2006
Having it all
Published on 22 February 2006
A former researcher's career path shows how one can stay connected to academic science.
Pacific sunrise
Published on 22 February 2006
The Pacific Northwest of North America doesn't just mean Microsoft, Intel and some big trees. Already noted for the quality of its biological research, the biotechnology base in cities such as Vancouver is set to grow too, as Virginia Gewin finds out.
Neal Copeland and Nancy Jenkins, principal investigators, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore
Published on 22 February 2006
Husband-and-wife team venture overseas to start new cancer lab.
Learning to teach
Published on 22 February 2006
Oxford centre looks at whether improving teaching skills enhances research.
PhD, take two
Published on 22 February 2006
After a disappointing first attempt at a PhD, one grad student gets a new start.
Valuable lessons
Published on 15 February 2006
Help in developing the 'soft' skills.