Thinking of starting a postdoc? Want to know how to move on from a postdoc? Or simply want to make the best of your postdoc years? Being a postdoc is not a career... but it can be the pivotal point in the making of one. This friendly, practical, and occasionally humorous guide to all things postdoc combines the three authors' vast experience of postdoc careers and personal development. This is a guide to developing, advancing and furthering yourself and your career. In working through exercises, learning from the experience of others (including the trials and tribulations of the authors) and seeking out information, we hope you will consider what success means on your own terms. Your postdoc is part of the journey towards a range of career destinations, from industrial R&D specialist to politician, from lecturer to spin-out Chief Executive, and this book is designed to help you get there. Providing indispensable advice on UK-based postdocs for national and international students, it is perfect for those making exciting transitions (student to postdoc, postdoc to the wide world of careers beyond) or for those who simply want to take their postdoc up a gear. This Second Edition includes new material exploring the importance of collaborations, enterprise career routes and research impact. Contents: Choosing a Postdoc The UK Higher Education Scene Coming to the UK as a Researcher with Lessons for Those Going Overseas How to Get the Most Out of Your Postdoc The Relationship with Your Principal Investigator Publish and Prosper The Impact of Your Research Teaching and Supervising Transferable Skills Development and Taking Opportunities Working with Others: Networking and Collaboration Unpredictable Research: Balancing Risk and Reward More Productivity, Less Stress: Relieving the Pressure Diversity in Research Research Integrity and Ethics Taking Responsibility for Your Career and Decision-Making Careers Beyond Academia Enterprise and the Postdoc Fellowships The 'Lectureship Leap' (Lectureships: What Are They and How to Apply) How to Write a Winning Curriculum Vitae (CV) Interviews and Questions Conclusions: What Do We Hope You Know Now? Over to You Readership: Existing postdocs or those thinking of undertaking a postdoc (PhD students). Researcher developers and career officers in higher education and research institutes. 'Being a postdoc is one of the most exciting and challenging periods in your scientific career. ... But also a time of uncertainty, very steep learning curves and trying to understand seemingly impenetrable 'rules of the game.' This book provides the ultimate guide to navigating this time — getting the most out of the opportunities and setting yourself on the best possible path.' - Professor Mary Ryan Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise), Imperial College London 'This book is invaluable for postdoctoral researchers — it acts like a compass to help them to navigate the challenges of pursuing fellowships and academic careers.' - Dr Mark Friddin Research Fellow, Imperial College London 'Not only a must-have for every postdoc, but for every careers adviser too! Each chapter has provided a wealth of advice perfect for supporting researchers in 1:1 appointments and group workshops. Having such a valuable reference text to pass on has proven to be reassuring and useful for so many clients, building confidence in anything from preparing for academic interviews to planning and making a transition beyond academia.' - Dr Chris Jeffs Careers Adviser, University of Oxford 'It is critical for postdocs to understand the broader context of their career, and this book provides that framing in a clearly understandable format. The authors are masters of supporting postdocs in a truly kind way — helping them hear the hard truths of academic careers alongside providing tools to understand their enormous value in a diverse workplace, to evaluate which parts of their job they really love and to find the right next steps for them.' -...
