Category Archives: postdoc

The Three-Postdoc Postdoc

Posted on December 26, 2018 by ragamuffinphd

This new year, I will be starting a new job. Sort of. This will be my third postdoc in as many years. Because my first mentor left the institution one year after I started (coinciding with the birth of my … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, confidence, Laboratory, motherhood, postdoc, Women in STEM | Leave a comment

Justifying your time

Posted on September 17, 2018 by ragamuffinphd

In assessing my mental state over the 8 months that I have been in this new postdoc position, I have observed a trend. It’s not good. I spend a great deal of mental energy — from the time I drop … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, bosses, busy moms, early career scientist, having it all, motherhood, postdoc, women in science, Women in STEM | 1 Comment

The Six Month Postdoc Evaluation

Posted on July 2, 2018 by ragamuffinphd

I started an academic postdoc position 6 months ago, as a new mom reeling partly from maternity leave and partly from the conditions of leaving my previous postdoc. When I started this position, I wrote about how terrified and isolated … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, busy moms, early career scientist, female scientist, mentoring, postdoc, scientist mom, transitions, Women in STEM, work-life balance | 1 Comment

Motherhood has changed my perspective on my career

Posted on March 26, 2018 by ragamuffinphd

Motherhood has changed my perspective on my career. (gasp!) During graduate school, everyone told me that this would be a bad thing. It would be a sign of failure if growing a family altered my career objectives. I have decided … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, alternative career, efficiency, motherhood, postdoc, women in science | Leave a comment

New Mom in a New Job

Posted on January 29, 2018 by ragamuffinphd

I had no idea what to expect during my first week back to work after maternity leave at a brand new job. Just before my son was born, I landed a new academic postdoc position after being ousted from my … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, female scientist, motherhood, new job, postdoc | 1 Comment

New Year, New Job, New Working Mom: My First Week

Posted on January 15, 2018 by ragamuffinphd

Whose idea was it to start baby’s daycare and mom’s new job on the same day? I have been a mom for 4 months. My son has been through two surgeries, chronic issues with cranial helmet therapy, gone from remarkably … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, female scientist, motherhood, new job, postdoc, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Writing your own letter of recommendation

Posted on August 23, 2017 by SweetScience

In response to a recent post, a reader asked for advice on writing a letter of recommendation – specifically for oneself! Yes, for better or worse, “minor fraud” and ethics aside for this post, this is very common and important … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, bosses, finishing postdoctoral training, graduate school, job search, mentoring, postdoc, professional, research, strengths and weaknesses, support, uncertainty | 1 Comment

When Your Pregnancy is a Job Hunt, or The Amazing Community of Women in Science Part II

Posted on August 17, 2017 by ragamuffinphd

Several months ago, I wrote about the experience of being 5 months pregnant and told that my postdoctoral mentor was leaving our institution. This was my chance to leave my oppressive pit of a working environment without burning any bridges. … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, biotech, bosses, early career scientist, female scientist, industry, Interview, job search, postdoc, transitions, women in science | 3 Comments

Job Interview Questions

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Curiouser&Curiouser

When I was first interviewing for jobs I got the question “what are your career goals?”  The question was something I had given a lot of thought to but I’d never actually transferred these ideas into an interview appropriate answer … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, advice, alternative career, biotech, communication styles, confidence, dream job, industry, industry vs academia, Interview, job search, new job, pharma, postdoc, presenting, professional, start up, transitions | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A day in the life of – a senior postdoc

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Guest

Bananaroots is in her second postdoctoral position at a research institute in the UK, after completing her first postdoc at a major university in the Netherlands. She has a long-standing interest in plant diseases and a soft spot for bananas. … Continue reading →

Posted in a day in the life, early career scientist, female scientist, postdoc, research | Leave a comment