Career Feature and Career Column in 2018

Personalized recommendations and a solid science background are crucial, say Ruth Gotian and Ushma S. Neill.

Katherine Bassil discusses the importance of learning to recognize failure as a door to success.

If you’re looking to move labs, countries or sectors this year, or seeking general career inspiration, here’s some advice from five researchers who featured in Nature Careers in 2018.

Scientists in the food industry find diverse roles from mediating public-health scares to perfecting meatless burgers.

Many undergraduates in the natural sciences will never take part in research, despite a willingness to learn. But their presence can teach others how to lead.

Duanduan Han describes how she has made her lab experiments and hobbies complement each other.

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

Five fathers describe how they and their partners combine parenting and careers.

A productive lab need not be a negative environment, says Fernando T. Maestre.

Becoming a leader in a field you are passionate about can teach you crucial management skills and offer a support network outside of the lab.

Practices might differ from country to country, but undergraduate students can be better served in research, says Shaun Khoo.

Scientists are merging their life’s passions with their academic studies, and coming up with new fields in the process.

Research group leaders should learn how to recognize if colleagues are experiencing problems at work, says James Turner.

Young researchers can use various strategies to help them to cope with the pressures and demands of doctoral programmes.

Competitive agency positions offer balanced and rewarding science careers.

Be clear about your training plan and goals to boost your chances of a favourable outcome, say Crystal M. Botham and Tanya M. Evans.

Recent PhD graduate Lucy A. Taylor shares the advice she and her colleagues wish they had received.

Nature’s survey offers a snapshot of salaries and career paths in the scientific sector.

Taking a break from research can give you so much more than just a well-earned rest, says Janani Hariharan.

Students must learn that a doctoral degree isn’t for everyone — and that not doing one might be a better option.