Questions tagged [early-career]
On issues affecting academics or researchers specifically in the early stages of their careers.
60
votes
8answers
15k views
Googling my name reveals silly things from when I was younger. I am embarassed. How will this affect me in my future academic career?
I am a masters student at one of the top two universities in the UK and will be applying for PhD positions soon. When I google my (unique) name, the first few results are what you'd expect, my ...
4
votes
0answers
219 views
My supervisor is trying to “steal” my collaborators: what can I do?
I work as a postdoc in Prof. X's research group. I have my own funding and work on my own topics, which are related to X's interests. X is an expert in experimental work and I do simulations, on which ...
0
votes
0answers
59 views
Changing careers: from physics undergrad to mathematics [closed]
So I have graduated from a university in the UK with a degree in Natural Sciences. The subjects I have studied are Physics and Philosophy. In Physics, the modules I have taken were mostly "mathsy" and ...
0
votes
1answer
68 views
What is Wise to Study For a Successful Career Outside of Academia? [closed]
Next year I will be starting an MS program in the Computer Science department (I have come from a grad-prep program). I have "learned" C++, C, Java, assembly, CS math, and OS.
When I enter this ...
2
votes
4answers
438 views
Disappointed about Academia [duplicate]
I was a first-year PhD student but was forced to quit although hard-working day and night! I am disappointed, I am now 27 and did not create family, left my home country. Problems from the past in my ...
4
votes
4answers
163 views
Accepted conference paper but changing job before the conference
I am a researcher at a company C and I'm going to submit a paper as main author in the next few days for a conference next spring. The thing is, I applied to a University U for a PHD and still waiting ...
5
votes
5answers
453 views
Alternative to PhD?
As a bachelors student in mathematics, I took various courses in Algebra, Analysis, Number Theory, Geometry and Topology. I am pretty much interested in every field and I don't want to specialize in a ...
2
votes
1answer
164 views
Supervisor complaining about research work is slow and not doing anything properly. Is it possible to continue with him for long?
I am about to finish my first year of MS leading to Ph.D. Our team works on cable Robotics. At first, when I joined prof asked me to do a computer vision problem of tracking. I spent 5 months to do ...
0
votes
2answers
220 views
When it is wrong to pursue a PhD degree? [closed]
I finished medical school, and then residency, and wanted to pursue a career in medicine. Due to certain experiences, I'm now shifting into the public-health field, doing a master of public health.
...
8
votes
8answers
3k views
From a financial standpoint, how much more can I expect to earn after my degree? [closed]
While certainly there is value to learning something you are passionate about, one might also have to consider the finnacial responsibilities after college. Thankfully for me, what I am passionate ...
1
vote
1answer
107 views
I want to pursue topics from different fields (pure math,CS) as a researcher. Which one to choose for my PhD? [closed]
My background: I have two master degrees in pure math and applied CS. I am interested in working in both areas, and there are certain topics in each area (extensions of my -completely different- two ...
0
votes
0answers
104 views
Confidence issues
I ended up having a mad rush to submit anything within my registration deadline, and this resulted in the submission of an incomplete thesis with unacceptable formatting, broken figure captions and ...
4
votes
2answers
384 views
How to ask a, probably angry, PhD supervisor for a letter of recommendation after graduation from uni?
I was on good terms with my PhD supervisor throughout my studies. After graduation, I gave a talk at a symposium and my PhD supervisor was in the audience. I was planning to add a few sentences of ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Potential academic career in very different fields
There's this question about doing research in two very different fields, but my question is somewhat different. I have serious academic interests in two very different fields: one in computer science/...
6
votes
1answer
458 views
Does being unemployed after a PhD reflect poorly on my advisor?
I successfully defended this spring, and made it clear about a year prior that I would not be continuing in academia, with the goal of switching fields and entering the workforce. As part of this, I ...
3
votes
2answers
199 views
Seeking advice on if it is worth staying in my PhD program [closed]
Background: In school in USA, US citizen, male 26. Have B.S. in chemistry, and another in applied math & stats (but my main focus was chemistry), from reasonably good public school. After ...
7
votes
1answer
246 views
Is it reasonable to say I'm not happy at my current position at interviews?
I am working as a research fellow at a University in UK. Its a two year contract with no chance of extension or renewal. Although I have 1 year left, I have considered not staying for the second year, ...
7
votes
2answers
306 views
How to understand if it's the moment to become a team leader?
I am finishing my first postdoc in computer science, and I have to make a decision about what I want to do next.
I have basically two options:
Try to get a new position as a senior postdoc or junior ...
4
votes
2answers
209 views
type of experience required for masters
I graduated from university last year with a bachelors degree in Mechatronics Engineering. Good learning and GPA is quite good. I have planned to do a Masters degree from the US next fall with a focus ...
2
votes
0answers
111 views
Is it possible to get PhD in Statistics for an actuary?
The question is pretty straightforward.
I'm an actuary with a bachelor and a master degree in actuarial science. I have already worked in the insurance industry, I have programming experience and ...
5
votes
3answers
405 views
When should I begin publishing?
I am finishing my Master's degree in Mathematics and will be enrolled in a PhD program in the U.S. starting from fall. In my country (Russia) we have thesis as a mandatory requirement for all degrees (...
45
votes
8answers
15k views
Career prospects in theoretical physics after nightmare PhD
I will try to keep this as short and concise as possible.
I am a 3rd year PhD student in theoretical physics (condensed matter theory) in a US university. I worked for a certain professor for a year ...
13
votes
2answers
662 views
What is the most accepted time for a pre-tenure move?
I am a second-year assistant professor who is hoping to make a pre-tenure move to a school/location that is better for my family. It is not a situation where my current department is bad or toxic, but ...
4
votes
1answer
366 views
Is it normal that a PhD supervisor requires a student to apply for a grant?
I'm a 1st year computer science PhD student in Poland, who started about 6 months ago. I'm working on a nice project towards a publication. My supervisor recently made an ultimatum: either I will ...
10
votes
2answers
266 views
How to find enjoyment in teaching being a research oriented professional?
I have recently (one year ago) started work in academia as an assistant professor or a lecturer in NZ system. We don't have tenure track system which is great. I was wondering how long does it take ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
After PhD, no support from PhD supervisor
I am writing here to get good advice for my career. I completed my PhD in Mathematics last year. I was quite happy after my PhD that I have gained a PhD degree, but I don't have any idea what I could ...
1
vote
2answers
124 views
During a UG physics degree , what other certificate/diploma courses can i simultaneously pursue which would be of use in a physics career?
During a UG physics degree , what other certificate/diploma courses can i simultaneously pursue which would be of use in a physics career ?
I hear many colleges offer such optional courses along with ...
4
votes
1answer
170 views
Should startup-company founder accept peer-review requests?
I'm a relatively recent graduate putting together a startup company, and I've just received an offer to peer-review a paper for a reputable journal.
As with prior questions on SE.Academia, e.g.
As a ...
7
votes
1answer
512 views
Is there any valid reason why we should NOT reduce the number of PhD offers? [closed]
DISCLAIMER
I am about to complete my Ph.D. (< 2 m.).
I had a very busy advisor, brilliant and intelligent, but acting as an ‘obstacle’ rather than an ‘incentive’ to complete the thesis (...
4
votes
6answers
450 views
To what extent will your choice of PhD topic restrict your career?
Obviously, if you choose to either do a PhD in English literature, or in mathematics, this choice will heavily determine the possible career paths you can later take.
But to what extent does the ...
5
votes
2answers
256 views
Career Suggestion: Should I try to improve my manuscript or try to increase paper count after submitting PhD thesis
I am a PhD student in Applied Mathematics. I submitted my Phd thesis and starting to apply for postdoc positions.
In my PhD thesis I have one work published in a tier 1 math journal and the other two ...
53
votes
7answers
8k views
In academia, does the amount of material that one has to learn diminish as time progresses?
From my own point of view, the first year of a PhD is heavily packed with new information, theory, techniques, conventions, experimental abilities, etc. Let us call all these elements "material". This ...
1
vote
0answers
20 views
What are the best avenues for employment for a new Doctor of Management Information Systems Technology?
I will have my degree soon. I am waiting for QRF approval and preparing for my Oral Defense. Suddenly I feel a bit unsure about how I will make this degree pay for itself. I am not sure that my ...
8
votes
4answers
438 views
Does all computer science research involve heavy usage of mathematics?
I am starting my graduate studies in computer science this year and am confused as to what quality research (some new innovation or discovery) domain I would choose specifically amongst virtualization,...
66
votes
10answers
11k views
Stay in academia or become professor without overworking, is it possible?
I am referring more to young scientists after the PhD than professors, although I am also wondering about people with a stable position.
I see many people overworking themselves, burning-out, being ...
8
votes
1answer
332 views
How much the region you get your PhD is important to your career path?
I am about to make an important decision for my career. I have a good PhD position (fully funded with a good stipend) in East Asia. The university is one of the top 50 in my subject, which is ...
-5
votes
1answer
193 views
How long to get confidence in writing a decent academic paper? [closed]
I am an early-career scientist within the applied physical sciences. I have got good ideas that I want to explore, but it is really difficult for me to decide how much analysis is needed for a decent ...
4
votes
1answer
303 views
Does it make sense to accept an early career identity in academic publishing?
There are multiple academic competitions developed for young researchers. Some of them make perfect sense to me, e.g. a prize for the best poster at a conference. But there are cases when special ...
24
votes
6answers
3k views
Advisor pushing for dead end topics
I am new to this forum. I am encountering a problem in my doctoral studies that I haven't been able to find in an existing thread so I wanted to ask here. Any advice on how to navigate this would be ...
4
votes
2answers
175 views
The route for a 2nd year physics PhD student to have a career as a data scientist
I am a 2nd year PhD student in physics. Tenure-track positions are highly competitive and I do not love research enough to pursue it as a life career. Since I like programming and playing with data, I ...
1
vote
1answer
229 views
Loss of perspective after short-term postdoc [closed]
I'm a physicist and I might have figured out too late that I really like research, even if it hurts. I had a tough PhD, during which I worked in isolation on a new technique. I didn't publish along ...
3
votes
0answers
254 views
What is the advantage of having a 'doctor europaeus' certified doctorate degree? [duplicate]
Universities in European Union countries have the possibility of issuing a PhD degree that is certified as "doctor europaeus" if the PhD student fulfills a certain list of 4 requirements, although ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What is expected in my academic CV as a new PhD student?
I just started my PhD a few months back after completing a MSc. I've been asked for a CV but I don't know what to put in it, and various templates are hard to use because:
I don't have any papers nor ...
0
votes
2answers
200 views
Academic career start: Postdoctoral or AP
I am a fresh PhD and I have job offer of Postdoctoral researcher in world leading university (QS rank 6) and assistant professorship in an average university (QS rank 339). What is good for long term ...
38
votes
8answers
10k views
Mathematics Stack Exchange as an indicator for academic career
I'm due to start my PhD in Pure Mathematics next month, fully funded by a scholarship, at an average university, I'll be specialising in combinatorial group theory, and I have a strong First in ...
1
vote
0answers
40 views
What's useful/important to put in a contract for a research-oriented industry position (in the US)?
I'm (probably) going back from Academia to Industry after a post-doc. Unlike last time, where I signed a company-standard contract which did not have room for much maneuvering, this time it's a small ...
26
votes
9answers
5k views
Is the reputation/prestige of the scientific journals where you published a paper really important?
Excuse me for the naive question, but is the reputation/prestige of the journal you chose for your publication really important?
In the end, I believe the scientific content of your paper must be the ...
16
votes
8answers
4k views
Should I quit my PhD? [closed]
I have finished 5 years of my PhD, and I have 5 publications in top tier (A* computer science) conferences based on work done during PhD. However, most of the publications are in unrelated areas. I am ...
2
votes
1answer
290 views
As a non-researcher, how to tell new knowledge that the speaker might not know?
A talk was closely relevant to a problem which had no breakthrough for a long time, but the speaker didn't seem to know a recently new method which is proved be able to solve it yet. What should I do? ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
How do we identify a Scientist as Early-career scientist?
I am currently a graduate student and a member of an organization in my field. In my organization, there is this Early-career group composed of young scientists who already earned their Ph.D.'s, ...
