How To Find Happiness At Work, Even If You Don't Like Your Job 

by By Jesica Levingston Mac leod, PH.D., for Scizzle Blog

It is a common conversation topic among researchers, but it was not until the NPR article saw the light, and the dark side, that the public realized the problems that young scientists are facing when pursuing a successful career in Academia. As we raise awareness about these tribulations, my colleagues mentioned how a "postdoc"'s quality life depends on the quality of the lab, the institution, the project, the relationships with colleagues and the Principal investigator or PI (the boss), not forgetting that this is a very self driven career. So, if your hypothesis is very difficult to prove, or you have been hitting your head against the wall with all the negative results that took you years to get, you may eventually come to hating this path and leaving Academia. The same if you have been working in a non "hot field" where the funding sources do not consider interesting enough to support or your PI is not supportive, or you have a very wicked competence inside or outside the lab. All these negative situations can aggravate the perspective of the very little options one may have by pursuing a career in Academia. On the other hand, if you are obtaining excellent results, publishing in top tier journals, made hundreds of good connections and collaborators, have a "great boss" and literally love you job... well, probably you are also doomed... 

Provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policymaking and implementation while contributing their knowledge and analytical skills to policymakers.

Along with the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships, there are many other opportunities and resources available for those interested in learning about the intersection of science and policy, and applying and communicating scientific and technical information to support well-informed policies, programs, and practices.

Search by:

• Discipline
• Degree Requirements (Postdoc)
• Citizenship Requirements (Open to Non US Citizens)

The Origins Project at Arizona State University is pleased to announce the inaugural Origins Postdoctoral Prize Lectureship sponsored by the Epstein VI Foundation.  This prize, the largest of its kind in the world, will be awarded annually to an outstanding junior scholar chosen from all countries, from any field of study relevant to the Origins Project, and will consist of a $10,000 USD prize, coach travel to/from Tempe, Arizona, and accommodations during week-long[1] visit.  Besides participating in the awards ceremony, the winner will give 4 talks[2] on his or her research, as well participate in other Origins Project events during the visit. 

• Using the News: Newspapers as Primary Sources
• 5pm - 6pm
• 129 Hesburgh Library