Planning for a Career in Biomedical and Life Sciences

Learn to Navigate a Tough Research Culture by Harnessing the Power of Career Building

Avrum I. Gotlieb

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9780128149799
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Medical Theory, Practice & Reference

Planning for a Career in Biomedical and Life Sciences: Learn to Navigate a Tough Research Culture by Harnessing the Power of Career Building, Second Edition, presents useful information, insights and tips to those pursuing a career in the biomedical and life sciences. The book focuses on making educated choices during schooling, training, and the job search in both the academic and non-academic sectors. The book's premise lies in the notion that if users understand the full path of a career in either the biomedical or life science fields, they can proactively plan their career, recognize any opportunities that present themselves, and be well prepared to address important aspects of their own professional development.Topics include choosing a training path, selecting the best supervisor/mentor, and negotiating a job offer. Updates to this edition include an outline of core competencies to achieve success, how to build soft skills and tailor them to specific job opportunities, and how to increase collaborations across disciplines. Additionally, coverage on issues around diversity, health, wellness and work/life balance are expanded. This book is a valuable resource for undergraduate, graduate, medical and postdoctoral students in the biomedical and life sciences, as well as academic faculty and advisors.

• Revised and updated to address dealing with student failure and rejection and developing resilience
• Provides strategies on evaluating biomedical and life sciences education and professional development opportunities in a thorough and systematic fashion
• Discusses possible pitfalls and offers insight into how to navigate successfully at various points of a scientist's career
• Offers valuable advice on how to make the best choices for yourself at any stage in your career and how to choose supervisors and mentors who will support your career goals

Index

Note: Page numbers followed by “f” and “b” refer to figures and boxes, respectively.

A

Abstract, 32, 87

Academia, next 10 years

advocacy, 106–107

applying for merit awards, 105–106

productivity establishment, 104–105

research funding, 103–104

at research intensive institutions and universities, 74

research program, 102–103

scientific networking value, 99

teaching assessment, 100–102

tenure and promotion

achieving tenure and academic promotion, 96

environment navigation, 96–99

management of service activities, 100

navigating institutional priorities, 99–100

progress in research institute, 106

tenure preparation plan, 97b

understanding university–industry collaborations, 104

Academic

achieving tenure and academic promotion, 96

application preparation, 87

environment understanding, 98

excellence in research and teaching, 96

job description, 87

path, 132

quality assessment, 39

Academic mission, 98–99, 112

Academic biomedical scientists

institutional excellence, 111–112

institutional research, 113

institutional teaching, 112

Academic career, 96–98

academic application preparation, 87

academic job description, 87

behavior on interview visit, 88–89

exploring job prospects, 86

negotiation, 89–90

referees selection, 88

salary and benefits, 91

second visit, 90

setting up laboratory, 91–92

start-up fund proposal making, 90

teaching assessment, 88

trainees and staff hiring, 92

transition to own laboratory, 91

Academic leadership, 117–119

achieving effective communication, 120–121

availability of leader, 121

delivering, 120

faces, 119–120

health and safety, 121–122

situation handling, 121–122

Administrative activity, 90, 100

Administrative manager, 121

Administrative staff, 26, 120

Adversity, 66–67

Advisory committee, student, 61–63

Advocacy, 106–107

Animal experiments, 59–60

Applications, 38, 45–46, 86, 1...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• About the Author
• Prologue (Second Edition)
• Inspiration and Passion Are Useful Companions on Your Journey
• Career Success Favors the Informed and Prepared Mind
• Dream Big and Settle for the Best You Can Accomplish
• Well Informed Decisions Result in a Quality Graduate Experience
• Hard Work, Self-Reflection, Resilience and New Knowledge Go Hand in Hand in Career Development
• Independence in a Protected Environment
• Life Continues But the Rules Are Different
• Your Initial Employment Is Still Part of the Journey and Not Your Destination
• Teaching and Research Institutions Are Valuable Community Resources and Require Constant Care
• Academic Leadership Is Tough and Rewarding
• Enjoy Your Initial Employment, the Platform for Launching Your Career
• The Golden Rules for Success
• Appendix. Questions and Answers on Important Issues
• Epilogue
• Index