Research Career Development –Research Career Development – What Happens inWhat Happens in

Grad School –Grad School –Actually Being There!Actually Being There!

Gail P. Taylor, Ph.D.Gail P. Taylor, Ph.D.

Spring 2012Spring 2012

01/09/2012

► Beyond the Beakers: SMART Advice for Entering Graduate Programs in the Sciences and Engineering. Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine/National Science Foundation. 2005

► Iris Lindberg – How to succeed in Graduate School – 2007 - http://thelindberglab.com/files.html

► Survival Skills and Ethics Program:Survival Skills and Ethics Program: Beth Fischer Michael Zigmond www.pitt.edu/~survival

► Graduate Study in the Computer and Mathematical Sciences: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~oleary/gradstudy/gradstudy.html

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:

Standard Ph.D. Training Standard Ph.D. Training PathPath

UG – BiologicalChemistry

M.S. Degree

Post BaccResearch

DoctoralStudies

Academic Postdoc

Industry Postdoc

Government Postdoc

ContinueEducation

Other Career

Academics

Government

Industry

Other

1-2 Yrs

UG – Engineering

EngineeringWork

3 - 6 Yrs

4 - 7 Yrs

How to Succeed in How to Succeed in Graduate School, Once Graduate School, Once

You’re there…You’re there…

Overall…You Must Take Overall…You Must Take Charge of Your Own Training!Charge of Your Own Training!

What is Success in Grad What is Success in Grad School?School?

►Learning what you need to know to Learning what you need to know to succeed in your next step, in a succeed in your next step, in a reasonable amount of time.reasonable amount of time. Postdoc?Postdoc? Career?Career?

►Building the best credentials Building the best credentials possible… possible…

Succeeding in GSSucceeding in GS

►Complete required courseworkComplete required coursework►Complete Exams and TestsComplete Exams and Tests►Create the Products of ScienceCreate the Products of Science►Perform the Activities of SciencePerform the Activities of Science►Develop various SkillsDevelop various Skills►Develop personallyDevelop personally

Confidence, etc. Confidence, etc.

►Develop additional credentials/skillsDevelop additional credentials/skills

Characteristics of Successful Characteristics of Successful StudentsStudents

►Qualities more important than Qualities more important than brilliance or academic strength:brilliance or academic strength: Passion for science Passion for science Enjoyment of intellectual challengeEnjoyment of intellectual challenge View bench science as “fun”View bench science as “fun” CURIOSITYCURIOSITY DRIVE - Tenacity/persistence/Desire to finishDRIVE - Tenacity/persistence/Desire to finish VISION – Can work for a long-term goalVISION – Can work for a long-term goal Positive outlookPositive outlook

Iris Lindberg - http://thelindberglab.com/papers/grad%20school.pdf

Basic (Common) SuccessBasic (Common) Success► One good publication, in a specialty journal One good publication, in a specialty journal ► 3.0 GPA in graduate school3.0 GPA in graduate school► Mastery of bench science Mastery of bench science

Mastering specific techniques in your field and peripheral but Mastering specific techniques in your field and peripheral but related fieldsrelated fields

Experimental design-some independence and some analytical Experimental design-some independence and some analytical skills skills

► Ability to communicate: write proposals and papers, Ability to communicate: write proposals and papers, give talksgive talks

► Acquisition of people resources (network) and Acquisition of people resources (network) and information resourcesinformation resources

► Two good recommendations from faculty familiar with Two good recommendations from faculty familiar with your workyour work

Iris Lindberg - http://thelindberglab.com/papers/grad%20school.pdf

Excellent SuccessExcellent Success

► Three good publications (on important topics, in Three good publications (on important topics, in widely-read, higher impact journals)widely-read, higher impact journals)

► Complete mastery of bench science Complete mastery of bench science Independence at the bench; ability to design new projects Independence at the bench; ability to design new projects

from the literaturefrom the literature Complete mastery of a field Complete mastery of a field

► Excellent ability to communicate: to write proposals Excellent ability to communicate: to write proposals and papers, give talks, work with othersand papers, give talks, work with others

► Honors-grants, awards etc Honors-grants, awards etc ► Stellar recommendations (top 5%) from three or Stellar recommendations (top 5%) from three or

more faculty familiar with your work more faculty familiar with your work

Iris Lindberg - http://thelindberglab.com/papers/grad%20school.pdf

How to Succeed – Develop a PlanHow to Succeed – Develop a Plan

► Look at least one step beyond - where you Look at least one step beyond - where you want to go… want to go…

► Make a list of what you Make a list of what you mustmust accomplish accomplish CoursesCourses Exams/qualifiersExams/qualifiers ResearchResearch Post-doc contactsPost-doc contacts

► Make a list of what you’d like to accomplishMake a list of what you’d like to accomplish Fellowships proposalsFellowships proposals Additional knowledgeAdditional knowledge

► Make a timetable (with milestones)Make a timetable (with milestones)► Consult plan every 6 months and re-evaluateConsult plan every 6 months and re-evaluate

Why You Must Take Charge…Why You Must Take Charge…

►You’re the only one thinking of mainly You!You’re the only one thinking of mainly You! Mentor is busy with many responsibilitiesMentor is busy with many responsibilities Committee is busy with many responsibilitiesCommittee is busy with many responsibilities Department/Doctoral Studies Committee is very Department/Doctoral Studies Committee is very

busybusy Your family often doesn’t really know what Your family often doesn’t really know what

you’re doing…you’re doing…

Where do you learn necessary Where do you learn necessary skills?skills?

► Mainly through experience, from Mainly through experience, from your Research Advisor/Mentor…your Research Advisor/Mentor…

► Through other Mentors Through other Mentors ► Increasingly through classes…Increasingly through classes…

Life of a Grad StudentLife of a Grad Student

► Overall, less structured (especially later on)Overall, less structured (especially later on)► Requires focus, to progressRequires focus, to progress► Often more responsibilities to balanceOften more responsibilities to balance

► Fewer classes (9 credits)Fewer classes (9 credits)► Take “Make up” courses early onTake “Make up” courses early on► Take core courses Take core courses

Which are on qualifying exam?Which are on qualifying exam?► Eventually will take seminars and doctoral research Eventually will take seminars and doctoral research

creditcredit► Higher expectations (no C’s)Higher expectations (no C’s)

Grad School Grad School Timeline/ActivitiesTimeline/Activities

► First yearFirst year CourseworkCoursework Lab rotationsLab rotations Select labSelect lab

► Second yearSecond year Finish courseworkFinish coursework Continue to work in labContinue to work in lab Set up committee(s)Set up committee(s)

► Exam committeeExam committee► Thesis/Dissertation committeeThesis/Dissertation committee

Take examinationsTake examinations► ComprehensiveComprehensive► Defend Thesis ProposalDefend Thesis Proposal

““Advance to candidacy”Advance to candidacy” Apply for personal funding

► Years 3 - ? (av. 5+)Years 3 - ? (av. 5+) Set up/meet w CommitteeSet up/meet w Committee Work on researchWork on research Take seminars/special Take seminars/special

topics/dissertation research topics/dissertation research coursescourses

Develop your credentialsDevelop your credentials► PubsPubs► PresentationsPresentations► TeachingTeaching► MentoringMentoring► TechniquesTechniques► ““Special” skillsSpecial” skills

NetworkNetwork Set up future Postdoc Set up future Postdoc

positionspositions Write and Defend Write and Defend

Dissertation!Dissertation!

The most important person- your The most important person- your major or research advisor:major or research advisor:

► An advisor should give you:An advisor should give you: AdviceAdvice Can be a mentor…Can be a mentor… Second-hand reputationSecond-hand reputation Knowledge of professional activitiesKnowledge of professional activities Possible financial Possible financial

support/assistancesupport/assistance Role modelRole model Introductions/networkingIntroductions/networking Letters of recommendationLetters of recommendation RespectRespect

http://bower-lab.org

Choosing a Research AdvisorChoosing a Research Advisor

► Need to have compatible:Need to have compatible: Research interestsResearch interests Reputation – you’ll carry itReputation – you’ll carry it PersonalityPersonality Grant supportGrant support PublicationsPublications Active/dynamic research groupActive/dynamic research group Going to stay at UniversityGoing to stay at University Track record with studentsTrack record with students

► GraduationGraduation► DurationDuration► ReputationReputation

Mentoring (or not) styleMentoring (or not) style► Some Grad students need more attention than othersSome Grad students need more attention than others

Cultural sensitivityCultural sensitivity

YourYour responsibilities to responsibilities to your advisor and labyour advisor and lab

►A laboratory is an extended family!A laboratory is an extended family! Your best effortYour best effort

►Show up when you say you will!Show up when you say you will!

HonestyHonesty ProductivityProductivity Assistance- TeamworkAssistance- Teamwork Feedback/communicationFeedback/communication Respect/LoyaltyRespect/Loyalty

Your Research TopicYour Research Topic► Often a small part of a Advisor’s grant (advisable)Often a small part of a Advisor’s grant (advisable)► Best if local support for topic/technique is availableBest if local support for topic/technique is available► Choosing own topic may delay graduationChoosing own topic may delay graduation► Thesis ProposalThesis Proposal

You essentially write a small grantYou essentially write a small grant Contains several specific aimsContains several specific aims Contains a multi-year plan for researchContains a multi-year plan for research Committee agrees what you must do for degreeCommittee agrees what you must do for degree

► Subject should be timelySubject should be timely Poised for job marketPoised for job market May be “scooped”May be “scooped”

► Subject should interest you!Subject should interest you! Must want to do to lab!Must want to do to lab!

► Will have ups and downs and dead endsWill have ups and downs and dead ends► Availability of a “secret weapon”Availability of a “secret weapon”

What is unique in the lab or environment?What is unique in the lab or environment?► MethodologyMethodology► InsightsInsights► Preliminary dataPreliminary data► Resources/equipmentResources/equipment

Selecting a Research Problem: Selecting a Research Problem: additional considerationsadditional considerations

► Determining how many Problems/Specific AimsDetermining how many Problems/Specific Aims more than onemore than one less than fourless than four

► Developing hypothesesDeveloping hypotheses► Integrate early res. Into spec aimsIntegrate early res. Into spec aims► Work collaborativelyWork collaboratively► When do you start, publish, quit?When do you start, publish, quit?► Will receive assistance from Dissertation Will receive assistance from Dissertation

Committee…Committee…► Try to include research that you’ve already Try to include research that you’ve already

completed, during second year…completed, during second year…

Progressing Efficiently in the Progressing Efficiently in the LabLab

► Make a daily to-do listMake a daily to-do list► Prioritize: do the most important things firstPrioritize: do the most important things first► MultitaskMultitask► Do many experiments (Maximize luck…)Do many experiments (Maximize luck…)► Plan for the tomorrow’s work before you leavePlan for the tomorrow’s work before you leave► Work on at least one weekend day (this will save Work on at least one weekend day (this will save

you months!)you months!)► Read literature mostly at nightRead literature mostly at night► Put a date on EVERYTHING! It’s a locator device.Put a date on EVERYTHING! It’s a locator device.► Watch out for inefficient computer use or textingWatch out for inefficient computer use or texting

From Iris Lindberg - http://thelindberglab.com/papers/grad%20school.pdf

Think about Experiments!Think about Experiments!

►Design to minimize error and ambiguityDesign to minimize error and ambiguity Is my methodology accepted in field?Is my methodology accepted in field? What will eventual Figure look like?What will eventual Figure look like? What should my “n” be?What should my “n” be? What are appropriate controls and What are appropriate controls and

standards?standards?►Run all appropriate controls and standards with Run all appropriate controls and standards with

samplessamples

Could this result be an Artifact!?Could this result be an Artifact!? Do NOT quickly disqualify a data pointDo NOT quickly disqualify a data point

Thinking IIThinking II►Must balance Thinking and Doing…Must balance Thinking and Doing…

Remember to critique your own experiments! Remember to critique your own experiments! ►locate possible sources of artifact and error locate possible sources of artifact and error ►compare your results to published data (remember compare your results to published data (remember

units!)units!)

►Get background by reading! Get background by reading! Approach reading critically!Approach reading critically!

► It still doesn’t work? Get advice and It still doesn’t work? Get advice and change something!change something!

►Change protocols if needed (confer with Change protocols if needed (confer with PI!) PI!)

How to Impress Your MentorHow to Impress Your Mentor► Set your own deadlines and meet themSet your own deadlines and meet them

ProjectsProjects PapersPapers Grant applicationsGrant applications Exams Exams Committee meetingsCommittee meetings

► Read the literature on your ownRead the literature on your own► Think critically about experimentsThink critically about experiments► Participate fully in lab meetingsParticipate fully in lab meetings► Work hard…Work hard…

What is a Dissertation What is a Dissertation Committee?Committee?

►Varies slightly w institutionVaries slightly w institution►““Chair” generally your research P.I.Chair” generally your research P.I.►~5 faculty with possibly one external~5 faculty with possibly one external►Okay a contract for work/proposalOkay a contract for work/proposal►Meet annually or more to assess Meet annually or more to assess

progressprogress►Assess presentation/content of thesis, Assess presentation/content of thesis,

and confer Ph.D.and confer Ph.D.

Choosing a CommitteeChoosing a Committee

►Always in collaboration with your Always in collaboration with your mentormentor

►Good reputationsGood reputations LettersLetters AssistanceAssistance Mentoring or adviceMentoring or advice

►Reasonable peopleReasonable people

Qualifying ExamsQualifying Exams

► Format varies with school/committeesFormat varies with school/committees Test knowledge in various aspects of your fieldTest knowledge in various aspects of your field May be oral and/or writtenMay be oral and/or written Generally require a thesis proposal with defense and written Generally require a thesis proposal with defense and written

examexam Know what components will be requiredKnow what components will be required WrittenWritten

► One large exam: requires extensive study time outside of class\One large exam: requires extensive study time outside of class\► Many small exams: easier, taken with courseworkMany small exams: easier, taken with coursework

Can be very stressfulCan be very stressful Usually can fail once…then retakeUsually can fail once…then retake

► When complete QEs, you “advance to candidacy”When complete QEs, you “advance to candidacy” Doctoral Candidate vs Doctoral StudentDoctoral Candidate vs Doctoral Student

Perform the Activities of Perform the Activities of ScienceScience

►ResearchResearch►PresentationsPresentations► Invited LecturesInvited Lectures►Mentoring StudentsMentoring Students►Service on CommitteesService on Committees►TeachingTeaching►Grant writingGrant writing

Create the Products of Create the Products of ScienceScience

►PublicationsPublications AbstractsAbstracts Peer reviewed journal articlesPeer reviewed journal articles Review articlesReview articles BooksBooks

►PatentsPatents►Techniques or reagentsTechniques or reagents

Life as a Research Assistant or Life as a Research Assistant or FellowFellow

►Probably no teaching requirementProbably no teaching requirement►Usually work on your own researchUsually work on your own research►Fellow – own fundingFellow – own funding►Research Assistant – usually mentor’s Research Assistant – usually mentor’s

or program’s fundingor program’s funding

Life as a Teaching AssistantLife as a Teaching Assistant

►Usually instruct one or more sections Usually instruct one or more sections of a lab courseof a lab course

►Required on some stipends (money Required on some stipends (money arrangements)arrangements)

►May be required by program, for May be required by program, for teaching experienceteaching experience

►May slow down research progressMay slow down research progress

Your Development IYour Development I

► Early on-Early on- Little independence/controlLittle independence/control Project direction usually determinedProject direction usually determined Guided in readingGuided in reading Little contribution to knowledge, etcLittle contribution to knowledge, etc

► Farther on-Farther on- Getting more independentGetting more independent More questions “Why”More questions “Why” Can usually set direction of own work each weekCan usually set direction of own work each week Ideas still mostly from advisorIdeas still mostly from advisor Begin your own literature workBegin your own literature work

http://www.cs.umd.edu/~oleary/gradstudy/node8.html

Your Development IIYour Development II

► ““Adolescent”: Adolescent”: Student is growing upStudent is growing up Reads and questions papers criticallyReads and questions papers critically Given more responsibilityGiven more responsibility

► Writing papersWriting papers► Mentoring younger studentsMentoring younger students► Advanced activities (evaluating papers, etc)Advanced activities (evaluating papers, etc)

Conflicts can arise - Advisor “interfering”Conflicts can arise - Advisor “interfering” dependence is resented, and frustration can run dependence is resented, and frustration can run

high. high. ► Adulthood: Adulthood:

Advisor and student redefine relationshipAdvisor and student redefine relationship Student transforms into colleagueStudent transforms into colleague Future contact based on mutual respect, Future contact based on mutual respect,

gratitude, pride in student’s development gratitude, pride in student’s development http://www.cs.umd.edu/~oleary/gradstudy/node8.html

Practical Advice - DevelopPractical Advice - Develop► FriendshipsFriendships

Inside and outside of Inside and outside of schoolschool

Support groupSupport group Sounding boardSounding board

► Other Mentors/FacultyOther Mentors/Faculty Provide Provide

perspective/adviceperspective/advice► FoundationsFoundations

Solid ideas of why you are Solid ideas of why you are therethere

Faith or philosophy helpsFaith or philosophy helps► Family/PerspectiveFamily/Perspective

Family and others outside Family and others outside school can help ground school can help ground youyou

► FitnessFitness Don’t give up exerciseDon’t give up exercise Maintain your healthMaintain your health

► FunFun Try to have balanced lifeTry to have balanced life Don’t give up all hobbiesDon’t give up all hobbies

OpportunitiesOpportunities

►Set yourself up for the future!Set yourself up for the future!►Always look for opportunitiesAlways look for opportunities

Extra trainingExtra training NetworkingNetworking TravelTravel Funding (more next week!)Funding (more next week!) IndependenceIndependence

Writing your ThesisWriting your Thesis

►Product worthy of publication Product worthy of publication ►Usually, two-three research papers Usually, two-three research papers

with deep introduction and conclusionwith deep introduction and conclusion►Will take multiple draftsWill take multiple drafts►Needs to be thorough (references, etc)Needs to be thorough (references, etc)►Often happens in a rush at the endOften happens in a rush at the end►Best if publish papers as you go!Best if publish papers as you go!

Highs and Lows of Grad Highs and Lows of Grad SchoolSchool

► HIGHSHIGHS► Can be fun!Can be fun!

All new fieldAll new field Get to play in labGet to play in lab Learning critical skillsLearning critical skills Great colleaguesGreat colleagues

► Find new thingsFind new things► Become an expertBecome an expert► Sets you up for future Sets you up for future

career!career!

► LOWSLOWS► Can be Stressful!Can be Stressful!► Tedium can set inTedium can set in► ApprenticeshipApprenticeship

Learn by doingLearn by doing Fish out of waterFish out of water Feel IncompetentFeel Incompetent

► Mentor IssuesMentor Issues► Money issuesMoney issues► Balancing familyBalancing family► Will I find a job I want??Will I find a job I want??

Problems that may occur:Problems that may occur:

Your advisor...Your advisor...

► has different priorities from yourshas different priorities from yours► does not provide much feedbackdoes not provide much feedback► leaves the institutionleaves the institution► feels you are not working hard enoughfeels you are not working hard enough► does not get along with others in does not get along with others in

departmentdepartment► does not get along with youdoes not get along with you► behaves in a way you find irresponsiblebehaves in a way you find irresponsible

Problems that may occur:Problems that may occur:You...You...

►Have a major life changeHave a major life change►Want to change advisorsWant to change advisors►change your research interestschange your research interests►change your career objectiveschange your career objectives►become overwhelmedbecome overwhelmed►become become under-under-whelmed whelmed

When Things Get Tough…When Things Get Tough…

►Grad school has very stressful timesGrad school has very stressful times►Generally have a “burn out” timeGenerally have a “burn out” time►Try to stick it out!Try to stick it out!►Get counseling if neededGet counseling if needed►Keep your eye on the prize!Keep your eye on the prize!►You will evolve; you must become a You will evolve; you must become a

colleague to your mentor, as you colleague to your mentor, as you develop as a scientist…develop as a scientist…

In Summary…In Summary…

►A little knowledge and planning at the A little knowledge and planning at the beginning will assist you in progressing beginning will assist you in progressing efficiently through your training and efficiently through your training and launching into a career…launching into a career…