19 - Advice for Beginners in Academia

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the young investigators finishing postdoctoral fellowship training and are about to seek a first appointment, quite possibly involving a change of university. It is amazing that in an age of communication, so many young scientists should be so naive about the hard facts of life of their chosen careers. Serious mistakes are common, and these can blight a promising research career. The ideal university job is one in an established department comprising some well-known investigators, most of whom currently hold National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. There should be an obvious place for your particular contribution to the function of the department. It is essential that there is kindred spirits in the group, either scientifically or socially, and hopefully both. The department should be willing to provide whatever is necessary to quickly bring your research to productivity. Start-up of beginner requirements involves substantial seed money for equipment, supplies, and a technician for at least 2 and hopefully for 3 years. First, NIH grant may be able to provide some equipment purchases, but any equipment request larger than about one module ($25,000) will initiate discussion and may weaken proposal; it certainly will not strengthen it. This ideal job will also provide a minimum but adequate amount of space—not shared, but assigned—and a promise of more space if one gets funded. Finally, there should be a minimum of teaching or clinical responsibility in first year.