Mentoring resources for scientists

As a leader, you cannot hide, says Hagen Zimer of his managing-director role in industry. You need to be authentic, empathetic and a great listener.

Virtual meetings enabled researchers to look beyond departments, institutions and sectors for career support, Julie Gould discovers.

Some relationships last decades. How can they withstand the combined tests of time, geography and career stage?

Reverse mentoring, peer-to-peer, group sessions. Choose one or more to tackle a tough career transition.

Julie Gould explores the tools, roles and techniques that help researchers to reach career goals.

Many mentors have had to rethink their approach as the pandemic has made physical meetings impossible.

The scientific workplace can be a melting pot of different cultures and mentoring styles, leading to some interesting lab dynamics.

Scientist mentors describe how supporting junior colleagues alongside many other responsibilities is a true labour of love.

Large language models are here to stay. Here’s how I’m incorporating them, writes Hong Yang.

Bad mentors can go absent, sap your energy or embroil you in their paranoia. Here are five tips for tackling a toxic relationship.

Chemist André Isaacs produces fun-loving social-media videos to bond with his Gen Z students and build an inclusive community.

Simon Kay wants to use his newly acquired skills as a life and leadership coach to improve how science is led and managed.

A small but growing number of scientific faculty positions are focusing on the science of teaching.

Competition for the best talent is stiff. Here are ways for recruiters and jobseekers to stand out from the crowd.

Statistics isn’t a game, but teaching it can be. Mai P. Trinh explains how she uses video-game elements to reach her master’s students.

The latest Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science recognized three researchers based in the South American country. Here’s their advice for providing excellent mentorship.

High achievers are united in their passion for science, perseverance, hard work and lifelong learning, says Ruth Gotian.

Universities should reward more than research outputs, says Peter Copeland.

Nervous about advising junior lab colleagues who want to switch sectors? Don’t be, say scientists who have made the move.

Start early, use mentors, map your networks. Experts share their career development tips.

A scheme for undergraduates to mentor secondary-school students who are interested in science has allowed both sides to develop new skills, despite COVID-19 restrictions.

Sponsoring someone is not a one-off act. Their success is your success, so support them throughout the process.

I’ve written many recommendations for myself, but a simpler process would be better for science, writes Juan Manuel Parrilla Gutierrez.

PhD student Emilio Dorigatti supported three junior colleagues during their degrees.

As the world recovers, students will need help to get back on track, say Ruth Gotian and Christine Pfund.

David Hiller finds that the joy of exploring maths and science with kids rivals his best days in the lab.

Early-career researchers bring energy, talent and diverse voices to leadership and advisory roles.

At any stage, building leadership skills can help scientists promote their ideas and bring out the best in others.

Ballet’s culture of consistent feedback and dogged resilience has served Aisling Roche well as a researcher, in both academia and industry.

Recipients of Nature prizes on how they inspire and motivate others.

Anna Henschel’s experience in seeking out a board of mentors enabled her to build a powerful support structure.

Rafiou Agoro’s early-career experiences in France and the United States inspired him to mentor colleagues in Africa and those whose careers also took them overseas.

Crafting a useful letter takes time and effort, particularly with the many demands on an academic’s time.

A closed lab prompts John Tregoning to reflect on his early career, informed by his 12-year-old son’s response to COVID-19.

Researchers share tips for supporting research and life at a distance.

Amal Amin founded Women in Science Without Borders to support researchers in Egypt, her native country, and beyond.

It’s tempting to stay a ‘silent member’, but you might be missing out on conferences, collaborations and publications, says Elena Schneider-Futschik.

The Pulitzer prizewinner shares his advice for pleasing readers, editors and yourself.

A list of talking points can help with navigating potentially difficult topics and sticky negotiations.

I was lucky to have a PhD supervisor whose mentorship transformed my academic experience, says Emma Kathryn White.

Want to get the best research from your team? Take these six steps to invest in stronger relationships, urges Alison Antes.

Knowing when to hand-hold and when to step back is crucial for helping early-career researchers.

Mentors can have a lasting influence, but it’s important to carve your own niche.

Bela Z. Schmidt’s quest to understand an all-too-familiar career setback can be distilled into eight pieces of advice.

The Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science show that it is crucial to support researchers in leading their groups well.

Meet the winners of Nature’s 2017 mentoring awards.

Having a good mentor early in your career can mean the difference between success and failure in any field. Adrian Lee, Carina Dennis and Philip Campbell look at what makes a good mentor.

The 2015 Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science recognize Chinese scientists who have invested in the next generation.

Nature announces this year's outstanding science mentors from the US west coast.

Nature announces this year's outstanding science mentors in Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Nature's mentoring awards honour three scientists in France.

The three Nordic winners of this year's Nature mentoring awards respond exceptionally to scientific and personal challenges, says Philip Campbell.

Nature recognizes the best of the country's science advisers.

Nature recognizes the best of Japan's mentors.

Nurturing independence is appreciated, as Alison Abbott finds out.

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.

We all know a special person who has inspired us. Paul Smaglik learns from the winners of the first UK award for excellent mentoring in science.

Mentoring and networking are critical components for success in science. Here the importance and steps required for good mentoring and networking are described.

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.

Having a good mentor can determine the direction and probability of success for a young researcher. But mentoring takes skill, and institutions are paying attention to their training, says Virginia Gewin.

Principal investigators can show their postdocs how to make the most of their job search — and that can help both parties.

Mutual respect, guidance and support are key to a fruitful relationship with trainees, says W. Larry Kenney.

Mentors are essential for the training of PhDs and fellows, but many have lost sight of positive leadership and are just mean.

Graduate students bear as much responsibility as their mentors for ensuring that they are well guided through their degrees, say Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner.

A strong network of mentors provides a wealth of experience from which to learn.

A workshop organized by the Society for Leukocyte Biology offers advice to graduate students on how to navigate educational and professional waters to find success in academia.

A novel program shows that young professionals working abroad can be instrumental in their home country's development.

Mentor circles combine the advantages of both mentoring networks and peer-to-peer mentoring.