The Academic Scientist

1. The Academic Scientist Kenneth Ruud Prorector for research and development

2. The academic scientist is not what it used to be (and probably never was) • The academic scientist: • Runs a research program • Writes research papers • (Runs a research laboratory) • Teaches • Reviews papers/research grants • Supervises Master/PhDs • Mentors postdocs • Writes grant proposals • May be involved in start-ups • Disseminates her/his knowledge • Is involved in recruitment work • Is involved in research administration and strategy Many of these tasks, you will not be trained for

3. A successful research program • Has a distinct mark which is yours, and not your supervisor(s) (but possibly a synthesis of the profiles of your supervisors) • Has an impact, often by being in the lead • Trust yourself: It can be lonely in the lead, but if the potential in the field is large enough, it will eventually become important • General topics may often be more competitive but will have a broader impact • Build on your competence, but expand your vision • Make yourself an attractive collaborator • Allow freedom for your coworkers (PhDs/postdocs/researchers)

4. Writing skills • As an academic scientist, you will have to write • Research papers • Grant proposals • Reviews • Teaching material • Determine how you best write • Do not underestimate the importance of clarity in writing, in particular in research proposals • Do not overestimate the reader • Know your targeted audience, in particular for research proposals

5. Communication skills • Many groups work on similar topics, and breakthroughs may come close in time, triggered by recently published work • One thing is the publication date, but having the arena to communicate also important • Although history eventually credits the right person, in “present time” the preferred invited speaker holds an advantage • Know how to present your research • Decide level based on audience • Never overestimate the audience • Normally advisable: Present a story, be clear on take-home message

6. The required academic CV • Because the job of an academic scientist is so much more than only science, showing competence in a wider area is important: • Reviewer experience • Experience as member of PhD committees • Having secured external funding • Research administration • Teaching • Supervision • Nevertheless: These secondary skills should be on the CV, but quantity is less relevant • What matters in quantity is publications • Be mindful about building a coherent research program, that has you “signature”

7. Know yourself as a scientist • Decide on your level of ambition • How do you like to work? • How wide a recognition would you like to achieve? • What kind of a scientist are you? • The expert who solves everything yourself • Prefer working in teams, with expertise in a specialized area? • The research organizer, having a broad knowledge field • The policy maker • Do you want/need a group, or can you/do you prefer to work alone?

8. How do you succeed? • Always visit a new lab during/after your PhD • Pick a postdoc mentor in a complementary field • Close enough to allow you to publish seamlessly • Different enough that you learn new skills and can use the combined expertise • Work hard, but more importantly, work effectively • Learn additional skills • Understand review processes • Make writing “easy” (or at least not too time-consuming) • Learn to communicate your scientific vision

9. The checklist • Put yourself in the shoes of the audience (at talk, in classes, in grant proposals) • Get your priorities straight • Important to get certain skills, but focus on what you need to do • Learn when to say no • Be thoughtful about networking opportunities