Features in 2012

Non-native English speakers face challenges when trying to publish. But there are resources that can provide help.

Some consultants offer to help researchers to find and secure grants. But scientists should carefully consider whether and how a consultant is worth the time and expense.

Bioscience is thriving in New Orleans as the city bounces back from multiple disasters.

With lay-offs rife in the drug industry, life scientists and chemists are seeking fresh career paths.

Studying the mouth, including the diagnostic potential of saliva, is offering opportunities to explore overall health.

Connecticut's investment initiatives are boosting research prospects, despite the region's languishing pharmaceutical sector.

Careers advice offered at US institutes is lacking for doctoral students disillusioned with the prospect of an academic career.

Creating electronic textbooks requires ingenuity, teamwork and multimedia savvy.

Cases of scientific wrongdoing seem to be rising. But when should researchers blow the whistle?

Having a mobile device can save researchers a huge amount of time. It can also mean that they never switch off.

Establishing a career in astrobiology is not always easy. But keeping one's options open can lead to work in this niche field.

Working at the interface between science and business offers an opportunity to bring ideas to market.

Public and private institutions have added new rules to ensure transparency and reveal conflicts of interest. For many, following the rules has become harder.

The growing field of cancer epigenetics demands computational expertise and translational research experience. Qualified practitioners are in high demand.

Life-sciences graduates interested in academic research typically need to do at least one postdoc. For physics students, there are multiple caveats to consider.

Environmental concerns and more stringent laws are providing opportunities for environmental toxicologists.

Academics who delay retirement could create roadblocks for early-career researchers.

Posters are a chance to show off work and to network with colleagues, but only if the design is easy on the eye.

A European industrial doctorate could help students to break out of academia, but applied science is not for everyone.

A great idea will get applicants only so far. But there are other strategies that can add to the chances of success.