You embarked on this postdoc to advance your career and, ideally, secure a tenure-track position somewhere in the near future. But what strategy should you follow?
First and foremost, focus on building a solid publication record. Aim for about three publications per year—fewer if they're with a small number of co-authors, and possibly more if there are many co-authors. Prioritize publishing in reputable journals, preferably in higher citation quantiles, and ensure your work demonstrates a clear research trajectory and distinct academic personality.
It's also important to gradually differentiate yourself from your postdoc advisor. This could involve publishing with other colleagues or clearly highlighting your unique contributions in joint papers with your advisor. Aim to be the first or corresponding author, or the primary driving force behind at least 50% of your papers. However, remember to credit your co-authors appropriately—being selfish won't serve you well.
Managing your relationship with your advisor requires a delicate balance. Both you and your advisor need visibility and recognition, though your needs may differ. Learn to navigate this relationship to ensure mutual satisfaction while avoiding toxic dynamics.
Building a strong professional network is crucial. Be visible in your department and, more importantly, in the wider academic community of your subdiscipline. Engage actively by fostering collaborations, organizing events or sessions at major conferences, and contributing to departmental initiatives. Your advisor can support you in this, but it’s vital to establish connections with influential researchers who can later provide further strong and informed reference letters.
Mentoring students and giving guest lectures will enhance your visibility and demonstrate your ability to fulfill a professor's role.
Seek funding early on. There are many opportunities, and securing funding not only proves your ability to thrive in the competitive research environment but also signals to potential hiring departments that you can bring in resources and enhance their reputation.
Overall, approach your job search with professionalism. This involves crafting a strong CV, preparing thoroughly for interviews, and respecting the time and resources of the institutions you're applying to—a principle that holds true for both PhD and postdoc candidates.
At the core of all this is doing good science—not just average work, though that is still honorable, but truly innovative and solid research on some topic where you can be reconigned as a active contributor. This requires dedication, the right tools, intuition, and the capacity to recognize new opportunities while holding firm to your vision (do you have one?). Don’t sacrifice quality and originality for the sake of productivity (up to a point!).
While following trends might offer short-term gains, it won’t serve you in the long run. However, being overly rigid in this belief can also be a mistake, as science constantly evolves, and shifts in language and focus can quickly render even well-founded arguments to look obsolete. So, while trends shouldn't dictate your work, it’s wise to remain aware of them.
Everything works better if you find the right advisor (right is not the better, is the ones that fit with you).
No comments:
Post a Comment