Archive for June, 2009

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Recognition among research development blogs

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Jobs.ac.uk caters specially for the academic community. Although, mainly geared towards advertising and marketing jobs in research and academic institutes, the portal has valuable information for researchers. The jobs.ac.uk blogs try to complement this and provide further personal insight. The blogs have been recognized in the Top ten researcher development blogs list compiled by Vitae.ac.uk. Top of the list is our jobs.ac.uk resident blogger Catherine Armstrong. Her blog has been described as follows:

Catherine Armstrong’s blog promises ‘the inside story of a first lectureship job’. However, it actually delivers much more than that with articles offering practical advice about academic skills and careers as well as some thoughtful articles on the wider context.

Catherine’s blog is definitely well rounded and has witty and thoughtful entries on various aspects on academia. As I scanned the list, I noticed some usual suspects. And then something caught my eye. Number 9 on the list is some blog by some gentleman called Haziz Azad. On further reading, I realized it was my blog and that my name had been transformed dramatically! In spite of the change name, the description is reasonable. The blog is described in the following way:

Haziz Azad offers thoughts on the experience of researching and writing a PhD. Particularly essential for Maths and Computer Science researchers, but of wider interest. The blog includes discussion of skills, jobs (academic and non-academic), networking and teaching.

Other blogs of interest in the list include blogs maintained by the careers centers of universities including Manchester and Salford.

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Publishing before the PhD

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

The PhD process involves producing publishable research. However, does that also imply that one should publish before submitting the thesis? There are a growing number of reasons to do so:

  1. Most university guidelines themselves encourage publications based on the undergoing PhD work. Certain universities make this requirement fairly explicit. In any case, a published work sounds like a decent proof of publishable work!
  2. Presenting one’s work is good for confidence and can encourage one to take on more challenging research.
  3. Peer review by specialists in the sub area can give detailed feedback and can greatly complement one’s supervisor’s comments. This is useful in understanding criticism, refining the ideas and improving the presentation. It may be helpful to take the suggestions on board rather than wait for the examiner to say the same thing.
  4. If one is going for a research job right after the PhD, many employers are looking for the right publication in the right places. If the PhD work is yet to be published, this could be a drawback.
  5. Presenting at different venues helps one meet people from other countries with the same research interests. This helps to foster a sense of community and can lead to exchange of ideas and collaboration.
  6. If there is a chance that some one else may come up with a similar result sooner rather than later, it is sensible to publish the result and not hold on to it.
  7. Timely dissemination of results may give new research opportunities.

If you have other reasons for or against publishing before the PhD, let me know and I’ll add to the list.

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Summer Schools

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

As the summers approach, not only is the tennis and cricket seasons here but so is the time for summer schools. Doctoral summer schools are regularly held in various scientific fields where top researchers are invited to give shirt intense courses on the state of the art. Summer schools are useful for a number of reasons.

Learning opportunity

This is a great opportunity to hear things from the horse’s mouth. The minicourses are not only are great overview of the subject but may prove more effective than reading surveys.
For a PhD student especially in his first two students, a summer school is an ideal way to ensure that the summer does not go wasted.

Financial support

Most summer schools are directed towards doctoral students and postdocs to expand the field and disseminate the latest knowledge. Due to the aims of such schools, the payment is specially subsidized for PhD students.

Networking

Doctoral summer schools are arranged by the senior people within the research community. The speakers at the summer schools are also invited because of their knowledge, Therefore, attending a summer school is great way of becoming part o a research community. One also gets a chance of meeting one’s own peers from other universities and countries. There may also be chances for useful collaboration.

Recreation and social aspect

Summer schools are normally arranged in nice locations. There are opportunities to go for excursions and also get recreation. Some of these events may lead to long lasting friendships.

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Choosing a research job

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Choosing a research job right after a PhD is tricky business. There are so many factors to take into account.

1. Country: One might have to stay in one country out of necessity (family requirements/immigration requirements etc.) or one may have a preference for a specific country (comfort level, already adjusted, language ease etc.)
2. City: Even, within a country people tend to be specific about which city they want to work for example Edinburgh in the UK or New York in the USA.
3. Role: The job role is one of the most important criteria. One wants a role which is matches one’s ambitions and skills and helps to further one’s career.
4. Prestige of the research group: Reputations count for a lot so it is good to be in a place which open further doors for you.
5. Industry versus Academia: One needs to decide whether one is seeking a research job in the industry or the academia. The difference between them is not to hard and fast and nowadays there is substantial to and fro movement between the two.
6. Facilities: One should ensure that the place in question provides the facilities needed for research.
7. Group dynamics and support: The quality of the group and atmosphere in the research group is highly important. A supportive, enthusiastic and challenging environment can be really helpful. A good percentage of ambitious team players is sign for good collaboration.
8. Duration: One might prefer a longer contract in a great place to shorter contract in a slightly better place. This way, one can concentrate on the research and good results rather than worrying about the next job.

There can be other factors which come in to play. One thing, one should be aware of is that there may not be a perfect job which satisfies all the criteria. For example, one role which I was seeking was available in a few places including Singapore. The main thing is to know what one what wants to do in the long term and decide accordingly what the best option is. Sometimes, one may have to get out of the comfort zone and find slightly different role or relocate. This is all part of furthering your career.

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Finding out about research job openings

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

Research job openings can occur at ‘random’ times and one has to be on one’s toes to find out. Sometimes, one finds out only too late or right before the deadline. So what is the best way to find out in time?

1. Keep in touch: Every one has their favourite researchers, personal top universities and research groups. It one’s research interests match with a specific group, it might be worth keeping in touch with the group.
2. Impress: If a specific research group rates you highly, they might be willing to take you or at least inform you about it.
3. Talk: Talking to more people with in the research community and it may be common knowledge which jobs are opening up.
4. Notifications: One can sign up to suitable email notification groups where particular research jobs are advertised. Most universities and research centres have vacancies mentioned on their websites.
5. Memberships: Research jobs are advertised to professional and learned societies. It may be helpful to become a member of the society most relevant to you.
6. Advertisements: Research jobs are also advertised in well known higher education publications and specialist science magazines and publications.
7. Follow the money trail: Research jobs open up as a result of research grants. Therefore it may be helpful to follow the money trail. If a research council has recently awarded a huge pot of money for a project to some university, then rest assured that the university will soon advertise new positions.

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